Destination Wedding- considering guest paying for travel

Guests always pay for their travel expenses. The couple pays for dinner and beverages, same as a local wedding.

You need to discuss with your intended vips what your plans are and see if it's feasible for them.

Guests normally pay for their travel, so I don't think you're asking too much. However, some people may be willing to do it with no issues, while others may not have the money so they wouldn't be able to make your wedding. Obviously you should have your wedding wherever you want, but I would first mention having a destination wedding to people you know you want to invite to see if they would attend. I know in my family and my FH family, a lot of people wouldn't be willing to pay to travel so a destination wedding was out of the question for us.

Not at all; totally the norm!

I suppose I will add; we paid for a day excursion and rented a bus for transportation for everyone.

I think it depends on the location you're considering and the financial situation of your guests. If you know that a significant number of guests have fallen on hard times due to Covid, then I probably wouldn't be planning a destination wedding in a 5-star resort in Mexico. That being said, one of my favorite destination weddings I've attended was actually at a 5-star resort in Mexico If you're worried about guests being able to pay, then maybe consider a destination within reasonable driving distance from your guests.

Whatever you're thinking, I would run your ideas by your VIPs to make sure they're on board with your plan first! But it's definitely the norm for guests to pay for travel and lodging for destination weddings

I don’t think it’s outside the realm of possibility, but I agree with a previous commenter that you should ask your VIP attendees if it’s within their budget. If your family and besties can afford it and can take the time off work, then it would probably be just fine! A great trip. I also wouldn’t expect a distant great-aunt or a friend I’m not close with to invest that much time and money in my wedding so it does help keep your guest list smaller and the event more intimate.

You know your family and guests you want to invite. If you’re believe they will be able to afford your destination then go for it. If it’s not budget friendly and you have specific people you want to come then you have to make a choice. People know they will need to pay so that’s not a problem.

No, not at all. This is actually the norm.

I think if literally every person on your list would have to to travel to you anyway, then a destination wedding is not horrible. However, I would not really enjoy spending my wedding week and honeymoon with everyone i know. I also don't think a lot of my friends and family would want to pay for a vacation that they have no say in picking - but would feel obligated to stay for awhile if it's a far-away/difficult to get to destination.