Guidelines to Inviting Children at Destination Weddings

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When you are planning for a destination wedding, you may want to decide if children should be included as part of the guest list. Depending on the location, having children at the event may be too cumbersome. However, here are some tips and guidelines for you to follow:

1. Decide if the location of your destination wedding is child friendly. If it isn't, they should not be included.

2. If you have decided that children should not be included as part of your guest list, do inform and alert your guests with children that it is an adult-only event. This should be done as early as possible so that your guests are able to plan for a babysitter should they decide to attend your wedding.

3. But if you do have children accompanying their parents but not as part of the guests in the ceremony or reception, you may want to provide child-care option to their parents or alert parents to plan for their own child-care.

4. If you include children of one of your relatives or friend, the children of others should also be included as you may not want to be seen as taking sides. Be consistent.

5. Finally, you may want to set an age limit (say 12 and above) for children of your guests that can tag along for the event.

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Do remember to be clear in your invitation as well and your decision. At the same time, be polite as much as you can.

Trimming You Destination Wedding Guest List

The thing about destination weddings is that the number of guests invited is usually smaller than traditional weddings. But then again, it also depends on how cost conscious the bride and groom are when planning for their wedding. It's a brilliant idea to actually invite as many guests as you can to celebrate the joyful event. However, having a large party can spell enormous headaches for the couple.

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Your guest list should ultimately include parents of both the bride and groom. Brother and sisters, if any. Grandparents if they are still fit and able to come. Immediate aunts and uncles or cousins who are closest to you. And a few good friends.

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A smaller wedding party would also mean ease in arranging travel plans as well as coordinate activities around the event. And, importantly, the bride and groom are able to enjoy their wedding as much as their guests. But ultimately, this is your day, so do whatever pleases you, even if you insist on having a large guest list for your destination wedding!

Caring for Your Destination Wedding Guests

Whenever a guest is invited for a far off destination wedding, various question will arise in their mind such as “What are the plans?” and “Where do we stay?”. Because of this, they will need a little more guidance than the average wedding guests. Here are some that may help your guests.

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Logistics

It is important to provide upfront, all information that your guests need to know about the logistics of your destination wedding. It is a good idea to keep guests in the loop by creating your own wedding website where they can refer to for details of the wedding.

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Itinerary

For a destination wedding, guests will usually arrive well in advance, 2 or even 3 days ahead before the big event. Consider drawing up an itinerary to fill them in about the on-going events that you will be hosting in that few days. This way, you not only build excitement but they can plan their own any leisure activities around your itinerary.

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Allow for Some Down-Time

Although providing an itinerary with a list of activities is a good idea for your guests, remember to allow some down-time for them. Don’t over plan activities for them.

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A Welcome Gift

Welcome your guests in style by preparing each one of them a special arrival gift. Not only will they feel delighted but appreciated too. A welcome gift need not be big and lavish, even something small and thoughtful is good enough.

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Appoint a Second In-Command

As you may not have time to coordinate all matters pertaining to guests, it is important to appoint someone – a parent, a sibling or a reliable friend to assist you in looking after the guests. This include meeting and greeting guests as soon as they arrive and being a point of reference for guests for any last minute details, requests and wishes.