Last minute switch to a destination wedding

What’s a place convenient & affordable for your guests? If immediate family only you may have more options.

I think it depends on size and where you think you might want to go. We originally wanted to do Turks & Caicos but decided it was too expensive for our guests even if the venue wasn’t too bad. We decided on a beach wedding in the Gulf in Florida so it was more cost effective for guests and less travel for then. Many people didn’t have passports and we had some older people that travel is harder for. These are things to keep in mind for sure. I will also say that planning a destination wedding is a bit tricky at times too. You need to find vendors that you know nothing about versus local vendors or friends recommendations, you need to plan ahead for anything you need to get to the venue that you’ve made or just will be using that day. I had 2 full car loads full of stuff to take. Just some things to consider. Good luck in your search!!

View Quoted Comment I am trying to accommodate guest by choosing a US island, just in case they do not have a passport. My wedding party is 20 ppl so majority of guest are immediate and close family. The wedding we were planning for the states was only for 85-90 ppl. With all of our friends and family friends.

View Quoted Comment Thank you so much for this bit of info. I looked into Florida as well! But I think we may go with the US Virgin Islands (St. Lucia or St. Thomas). Still researching the flights tho because they can be quite long if u dont get a straight flight and very expensive if you don't book in advance.

I would say as long as people have plenty of notice and can save for the trip you are good. And then you will just have to rent or buy everything there to avoid traveling with lots of stuff. 😊

We are doing a DW in 2021 and I actually found my travel agent here on WW. I’d suggest finding one as it’ll be helpful to navigate through everything and they’ll be able to answer all of your questions. Good luck!

View Quoted Comment I am going to start searching right away for a travel agent. Thank You!

View Quoted Comment How many days before your wedding did you arrive to your destination?

We chose Pensacola beach Florida! We let our guests know about 5 months before... We have our closest friends and family going, right at 40. My honey was born in Pensacola so where to have a DW was an easy decision. Pensacola Beach is beautiful!!!! Our wedding is less than two weeks away!

View Quoted Comment That's super exciting!!! CONGRATULATIONS to you. 🥳🥰 I feel more confident in our decision for a DW!

View Quoted Comment We arrived Wednesday and got married Saturday evening

View Quoted Comment Perfect guest size! Where do you live? Are there interesting places in a 1-2 hour flight, or 3-4 hour drive? That’s an option too.

We had our DW (15 guests) in Napa, CA which was a 1-hour inexpensive flight or 6-8 hour drive for most guests. My parents hosted a welcome BBQ the night before our wedding at their AirBnb for all guests to drop by if they wished—they all did.