Destination weddings are back with a bang! 2022 is a huge season of nuptials and that hasn’t been limited to those celebrating at home. In fact, destination weddings seem to be more in demand than ever, as couples enjoy the opportunity to travel as well as marry in some of the world’s most desirable locations. This destination wedding boom is set to continue through the rest of 2022 and into 2023. That’s the good news. The bad news is that with higher demand can come greater cost and complications. After all, it’s not just wedding travel that is booming. There are also thousands of honeymoons, anniversary trips, and family vacations that were postponed over the past two years. Not to mention that travel itself has become much more complicated since pre-pandemic times.
So if you’re planning a destination wedding in 2022 and early 2023, it’s important to be aware of any issues you may encounter. Whether you’re heading for Parisian romance, tropical sunshine, or snow-capped mountain peaks, here’s everything you need to know about travel (for you and your guests) when planning a destination wedding in 2022 and early 2023.
Expect delays. Over the summer, millions of travelers around the world have experienced travel delays as the travel industry works to find its feet again. Many airlines and airports have staff shortages and there are increased wait times for check-in, security, and customs. Other transport options have also been affected, such as trains, ferries, and even Uber rides. So it’s important when booking travel to leave plenty of room for flexibility and delays. Make sure that the couple, wedding party, and close family arrive at the destination a couple of days early, just to be safe, and recommend that guests do the same. The last thing anyone wants is to miss the celebration!
Provide a point of contact for travel problems. It’s important to keep everyone involved in your wedding informed right from the beginning. A wedding website is a great way to do this! You’ll be able to add information on everything from travel requirements to dress code and the schedule of events. It makes planning a destination wedding in 2022 so much more simple! However, you should also ensure the flow of information continues even once guests start arriving at the destination. Provide a central point of contact where guests can let you know about any travel issues they’re experiencing so that you can provide assistance where possible. It will also help you to warn other guests of similar delays. And ideally, this isn’t you or a family member but a travel agent or dedicated travel contact on your wedding planning team. You want to avoid becoming a travel agent for your guests!
Keep up-to-date on travel restrictions. Right now, most countries have dropped most of the COVID testing restrictions that were in place earlier in 2022, including the United States. This has been a huge relief for guests worried about being stuck and unable to get back in. However, as we’ve all seen since 2020, restrictions can change from day to day. Make sure you regularly check all entry (and re-entry) requirements in the lead-up to the big day and communicate any changes to your guests.
Expect higher costs across the board. Unfortunately, the cost of planning a destination wedding in 2022 is higher than it was pre-COVID. This is thanks to a number of factors, including inflation, supply-chain issues, and fuel costs. Travel is also more expensive in 2022, as are hotels, restaurants, and attractions. It’s important to be aware of these costs and to ensure that you provide guests with different accommodation options to suit a range of budgets. You may also wish to eliminate the gift list since guests will already be investing so much to be with you on your big day.
Buy trip insurance. No matter whether you’re planning a destination wedding in 2022 at home or overseas, it’s important to buy trip insurance. This can help to offset the costs and misery caused by canceled and delayed flights, as well as illness.
A destination wedding is an incredible experience for all who attend. Put extra care into planning a destination wedding in 2022 and you’ll reap the rewards!
xoxo,
Mindy
Image by John and Joseph Photography Inc.
