Planning a destination wedding is slightly different from preparing for a regular wedding--you'll find that there are some extra tasks on your to-do list. Check out our some of the additional things that you have to accomplish right after your destination wedding.
Ship gifts home, or ask family or close friends to bring them to your new home
After the wedding, ask someone you trust to be in charge of your gifts. You might be too tired to attend to the egress of the event, so assign a family member or close friend to bring the gifts to the hotel. Make an inventory of the gifts so you'll have an easier time writing your thank-you notes.
If you won't be heading straight home after the celebration (i.e. you'll be going to your honeymoon destination), request family members to facilitate bringing the gifts to your new home. You can have the gifts shipped or ask your family to bring the gifts with them--the inventory comes handy here; you'll be able to keep track of the gifts in case one goes missing in transit. To save you and your family the trouble of transporting the gifts, your family can inform guests (through word of mouth) prior to the wedding to send their gifts directly to your new abode.
Settle accommodation bills
If you're having a destination wedding, one extra bill you have to settle is your guests' hotel bill (that is, if you're paying for their accommodations). If you've given guests the liberty to order or avail of services under your tab, allot a few hours for reviewing what you have to settle before checkout. Confirm each billed item with the concerned guest, so that you know you're paying the right amount--ask someone to help you out or do this for you, as this can be quite taxing. To keep your tab from ballooning, set expectations with your guests as soon as they arrive (i.e. Will they pay for their food during their stay? Can they avail of room service?).
In case your guests are paying for their own accommodations and the hotel has agreed to give your party a group discount, have someone assist your guests when they settle their bill. This is to confirm that they are part of your group, and that they'll be given the discount that was promised to your guests.
If there are hotel staff who have gone out of their way to make things convenient for you, don't forget to tip them.
Make sure everyone has a way to get home
Before you and your guests head home (or before you head to your honeymoon destination), remember to check travel conditions. You can ask someone from your party to constantly check the news for weather reports, political updates, and other factors that might affect transit. In case of a storm, assign someone to call up offices related to your and your guests' travels (i.e. airports, seaports, other transportation offices) to ask if any trips are cancelled, or if there are any impassable roads. Assign a point person who'll make sure that all your guests have means to go back to their destination.
You might also like:
- Activities for Your Destination Wedding
- Preparing Care Kits
- How to Pamper Guests at Your Destination Wedding
