The dos and don’ts of destination beach wedding etiquette are very similar to etiquette that applies to local wedding events, but there are still a few differences you should be familiar with before you attend or host your special event.
Nothing is worse than attending or hosting a destination beach wedding only to end up practicing poor etiquette, especially when you weren’t even aware of the proper etiquette in the first place! Chances are you are spending a fair amount of time and money to travel to a faraway location, so it’s worth investing a few minutes in familiarizing yourself with common destination beach wedding dos and don’ts before you hit the road.
Here are some destination beach wedding dos and don’ts every bride, groom, bridal attendant, and guest should know before they attend the wedding:
Don’t:
Make dietary requests. Unless the couple has asked for them, this is a no-no when it comes to destination beach weddings. Chances are the cuisine and catering will be very specific (depending on the foreign or exotic location), so it’s best to refrain from making requests beforehand. Simply show up and inquire about it when you sit down to eat instead of inconveniencing anyone.
Ask for help with your travel and hotel expenses. It’s not the couple’s responsibility to pay for your travel expenses or accommodations regardless of how far you are traveling to reach their destination. If you’ve agreed to attend a destination beach wedding, it is assumed that you understand the travel requirements and will arrange them yourself. The only exception is if the couple specifically offers to help or makes a formal announcement that part of the travel expenses will be complimentary. Most couples cannot afford this, so you’ll find it is rare in the case of destination beach weddings.
Do:
Give the couple a gift from the bridal registry. With a destination beach wedding, it’s not always simple to bring the couple’s gift with you. Bridal registries really come in handy in this case. You can buy the gift on-line and have it shipped directly to the couple’s residence so it is there when they arrive home.
Plan on attending alone. Unless the invitation specifies to bring a guest or to bring your children, assume the invitation extends to you and only you. This is very important with a destination beach wedding because many destination weddings are typically smaller and more intimate. The last thing you want is to show up to a destination beach wedding with a date or two kids who weren’t invited.
Look for wedding favors? Watch our video today!