WELCOME BASH
Your guests may be arriving en masse or in smaller
groups over the space of a few hours, depending on
their flight schedules. Arrange for a welcome gift
pack to be put into their room so that they receive a
nice surprise on arrival. The gift pack could contain
a personal letter and small gift, such as a voucher
for a 20-minute foot massage, and a survival kit with
Panadol, sunscreen and mosquito repellent –
especially if you’re having your wedding in the
tropics. Also, plan to have a small welcome party that
includes a few cocktails and some nibbles so
guests can reunite with each other or get to know
one another.FUN-FOR-ALL
The days leading up to your wedding are perfect
for spending quality time with your guests. It’s also a
great opportunity to host a pre-wedding sightseeing
tour of the area. Is there a stunning waterfall to visit,
a cultural attraction to see or a local village to tour?
If the area is a renowned gourmand’s getaway, can
you arrange a wine and food tasting experience?
Book a mini-van or a few cars and plan a half day-trip,
possibly finishing with a lunch or dinner (remember
your guests have spent a fair bit of money just to be
there, so shouting them a meal would show your
appreciation). Also consider the possibility that some
guests might want to explore the area on their own,
without having to stick to a tight schedule, so don’t
pressure them to join in. Don’t forget to make use of
your wedding website by posting activities on there,
then booking numbers based on the number of replies
and confirmations you receive.GROUP DINNER
It’s a good idea to organise a group dinner before
the big day, so your guests can get to know each
other in an intimate setting to feel more at ease.
We suggest choosing a menu that showcases the
culinary specialties of the region so you can
immerse yourselves in the authentic culture of
the fabulous destination.EXCLUSIVITY
The resort you’re considering for your destination
wedding may have other guests staying there on
your proposed wedding date. Ask your wedding
coordinator or concierge whether the areas of the
resort that will host your wedding day celebrations
(and any pre- or post-events) can be marked with
signage indicating a “private function”. It’s also a
good idea for the venue to verify all attending on an
official wedding guest list to prevent random
wedding crashers.THANK YOU
Everyone who went out of their way to attend your
destination wedding should be thanked in some
way. Whether it be a special mention in the wedding
speeches, or a little memento they can take home
with them. Another idea is to give guests a “thank
you” gift bag containing a couple of items that are
unique to the location, along with a lovely group
photo, and perhaps a photo of the guest (with their
partner if they’re a duo).Photo © Robig | Dreamstime.com
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