- January 18, 2021
- Destination Wedding Resource, informative wedding article, wedding planning
It’s four o’clock in the afternoon as the sun starts to set over Mexico. The music swells as you take the first steps down the aisle. Your partner awaits you on the beach as the sea breeze gently blows around you. A quick glance around the venue features loved ones greeting you with beaming smiles and even a few tears here and there.
But you may be asking yourself who all should be invited to a destination wedding? First determine how large you envision your wedding, then use our handy guide to help with planning:
The Intimate Wedding

Smaller guest lists enable more liberty when it comes to budgeting for airfare and suites. With 5-10 available spaces, we recommend inviting the following people:
Close Friends
Immediate Family
Best Man
Maid of Honor
The Friends And Family Wedding

The larger your group the more perks and benefits you wedding may acquire, such as free nights or additional wedding decor. Upgraded Destify Top Resort safety measures at all-inclusive spots like Sandos Playacar and Dreams Punta Cana guarantee health-conscious stays.
Here’s who we think can make the final guest list with 20 available spaces:
Non-bridal party close friends
Immediate family
Best man
Maid of Honor
Full bridal party (2-3 bridesmaids/groomsmen each)
What percentage of invited guests attend a destination wedding?

Utilizing a variety of online resources, we’ve calculated that between 50% to 75% of your invite list will attend your wedding. That gap may seem pretty big, but the final list boils down to several interchangeable factors:
Location
List size
Flight/accommodation rates
How far in advance should guests RSVP for a destination wedding?

With a destination wedding, an early RSVP deadline ensures you’ll have plenty of buffer time to make sure each guest is accounted for. You can also use this time as a couple to create an exciting wedding itinerary, including cocktail hours and dinner rehearsals.
How far in advance should you invite guests?

Invitations to weddings should be sent out 6 to 12 months prior to the wedding. This will offer your guests enough time to make preparations, regardless of where they might be coming from or what they have going on.
If you get a final headcount, contact your resort and finalize the seating map. Again, also check if you qualify for any perks based on your group size.
When it comes down to who gets invited to a destination wedding, be mindful of who can make the trip. As you start to brainstorm who should sit where, remember to begin the wedding invitation process early. But most importantly, don’t overthink it. You’re sharing an enchanting moment with your loved ones, and that matters the most.
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