Question: Destination Wedding - AIRFARE?

My brother and his wife had their wedding in Hawaii, but only gave every 6 WEEKS NOTICE!

And they weren't going to pay for airfare, but they covered hotel cost.

So, only my parents, and her mom showed up. Because no one else could afford it...

But, they're terrible people, so I won't go further =P

I've heard it both ways, or paying for airfare or not.

I think it's up to you, but if they pay for airfare, then having a hotel (or in your case a house) is a great idea.

If you have the money to spare, then go for it. But if not, I'm sure these people would be more than happy for the vacation, and to celebrate your wedding!

And it seems there is sufficient time for people to start planning/saving

I am also getting married in Hawaii, but next year. We have given everyone close to 2 years notice so that they are all able to save for our wedding because we will not be able to afford to pay for them. If we could, we definitely would. My sister in law got married two years ago, also in Hawaii, but only gave us two months notice. It was really hard for us all to afford it as well as be able to take off that time from work, which is why we are giving our guests so much time to decide. I think you have lots of time before your wedding and there are always lots of good deals on the internet (expedia especially). Plus, they will be treating this as a holiday too.

Is their a way you can get a group rate? I know for tour groups, you can get a group rate and the airfare is cheaper. Maybe you can find one and then pay part of the rate so that the guest aren't paying that much? Then again I'm not sure. For my wedding, like 90% of my guest are out of town guest and I'm not paying for their flights. So to be honest, I'm not sure.

If you know someone close to you is struggling financially, it would be nice if you could help them out a little more, but I think it's unnecessary to pay for everyone's flight. I mean, if you really want to and you have the money to do so, go for it. I think as long as you get your STD's and/or invites out soon you don't need to worry about it. I think you've already went above the expected by renting houses.

Just don't be offended if some people can't make it--it tends to happen a lot more with destination weddings. Not just because of finances but because of missing work and other things.

My entire family (60 people) out of our 100 guests are flying in from Ohio so for them it's a DW. We aren't paying for hotel rooms or flights but I plan on putting together nice hotel gift bags and getting a group rate for the hotel.

One more thing to consider is--- you probably don't want to have to finalize every single person's flight itinerary. That would be a lot of work and each couple will probably have different time/day preferences.

I have only heard of VERY wealthy people paying for guest's flights--for obvious reasons.

If they can't afford it, they won't come, which can be sad since you want each person there, but its what happens with destination weddings. You aren't obligated to pay though because of that--they can decline if its too much.

If you start demanding people come, then you have to pay for it I think its great that you have accommodations for them and it sounds like it would be fun. Paying for that will help make it more affordable for people.

& I agree with checking out group rates. It could help with costs.

Mine's in cabo, so the airfare is only $500. I am paying for my parents (coz they are flying in from England), my MOH & a friend and her husband who don't have the money but I want them there. I also paid for the hotels for about 4 couples who again don't really have the money. It depends on the circumstances of the guests and who you really want to be there.

Everyone else is paying for their own and a lot of people are making it their vacation.

Typically the bride and groom do not cover travel costs for their guests. However, if there is someone that you really want to attend, and they may not be able to afford it, then you could pick up the cost of their air.

Didn't book the flight yet - planning to do that in early May, but prices for tickets seems to increase to $850-950, depending on airline.

Typically, for a destination wedding, the guests cover their own travel costs. That's what makes destination weddings so small - not everyone can afford the travel costs! If there is a guest(s) that simply cannot afford the cost, and the bride & groom really want to have them there, the B&G could offer to cover the cost. But, as you can see, that can add up quickly!

I'm doing a DW in Dominican Republic and now airfare has shot up to $800 (we only paid $400). However, everyone was given a year's notice. If there were someone we REALLY wanted to come and couldn't afford it, I would definitely help them out. But there's about 20 of us going (and keep in mind, everyone is getting a vacation out of it, too! I mean, really, twist my arm to have an excuse to go to Hawaii! LOL).

@jennhutch

You are funny ) I know! Twist my arm as well... 1 week.. I am also stucking on all the Food & Drinks.. And house is Oceanfront - ocean in our backyard..

My MOH was married in Cancun (strictly family) and I was pissed! LOL. I wanted to go! But we're going to have a big trip with all of us for their 5-year anniversary. She was so mad when I told her that FIL aren't coming to our wedding. She wouldn't miss my wedding for anything.

Oh, and a good idea someone gave me was to bring walkie talkies. We don't want to be up each other's butts all week-we want everyone to relax and have fun. But the walkies are an easy way to communicate.

I think that you should probably be able to find a good group rate... try calling the airlines, but I would also try some travel agents who may be able to find you a better group rate.

Thanks everyone! I will do that. I found for example that Continental does Group Rates - http://www.continental.com/web/en-US/content/products/groups/groupworks/default.aspx

A group rate would be useful even if guests are paying their own way.

We're not paying for our guests' airfare and we're doing a DW in Vegas. We just couldn't afford it--and really, most of them would have to fly SOMEWHERE no matter where we had the wedding.

@Cabell

I travel a lot on conferences. Depending on time frame - I was flying to Vegas, San Francisco and LA for under $230 round/trip.. I wish I can get such rates to Hawaii )

No, you are not responsible to cover their air fare. How ever, it would be nice to provide guests with accomodation and flight booking info.

Just be aware with group rates that they typically require that everyone be flying from the same cities and on the same dates/flights. If you have quests coming from different places, it probably will not work for you. Might be worth your while to work with a local travel professional to help plan this.

My daughters is in Hawaii next June, we are NOT paying for airfare or hotels. We also gave them 2 years notice so they would have plenty of time if they wanted to come. We were actually hoping to keep it very small (30 or so people). Our problem has been how many people have actually invited themselves or assumed they were going to be invited leaving us to just add them to the guest list, we have like 100 coming because they all said "they've always wanted to go and now they have a reason". I'm certainly happy that they are all showing my daughter so much love, but my reception costs have more than doubled! We are having a party when they get home and that's what we wanted everyone to come to...they just say they will come to both! LOL Another girl did post on her wedding website that American agreed to give them a discounted fare for all their guests (kind of like a coupon code they put in when they book) You might want to look into that.