Will your Guests actually come to your Destination Wedding?
Yes, most of your guests will come, if you give them enough notice, a realistic price point, and a simple way to book. The guests who wouldn't travel usually weren't going to attend a hometown wedding either.
This is, without fail, one of the first fear couples bring to me. Before the venue, before the budget, before the dress or the flowers, there's a quieter worry: what if we plan this beautiful week and half our guest list doesn't show up?
It's a fair question. And here's the honest answer, not the sugarcoated one.
Some guests will not come, and that's alright
I’m sorry photo
A certain amount of decline is normal and not a reflection on you. A destination wedding is a bigger ask than a Saturday afternoon across town. Some people won't be able to make it because of cost, timing, maybe they just don’t want to due to fear or a dozen other reasons that have nothing to do with how much they love you. That's true of any wedding, destination or not.
What actually predicts turnout
In my experience, three things matter more than anything else:
Advance notice, ideally via a save the date sent as early as you reasonably can, since flights and time off need planning. And the way flights are now-a-days, planning in advance is a must.
A realistic price point for the destination. Most expensive locations will shrink your list no matter how much people love you. You want a place that is affordable. Unless, you plan on pitching in on the accommodation or travel
A simple booking process, since every extra step between "I want to come" and "I've booked it" loses you guests. Communication is key and having a website PLUS an easy booking platform makes the journey to your wedding that much more attainable.
The guests who wouldn't come anyway
Here's the part people don't say out loud enough: the guests who wouldn't have made the effort for a wedding in your hometown, typically weren't going to make the effort for a destination wedding either. A destination wedding doesn't create reluctant guests, it just makes existing reluctance more visible. It shines the light on who really wants to be in your corner most times.
Are there times when price point, PTO and global pandemics will deter people? Absolutely. But for the most part, people will pay for what they want to be apart of.
What I actually do about this
On the Pre-Journey Preview (my signature experience that allows a small group of couples to “preview” different resorts over a long weekend) part of what we're evaluating at each resort is exactly this; room block terms, price points across different room categories, and how simple the resort makes the guest booking process. It's not a side detail, it's a core part of choosing the right property. You can see the current details for October in Mexico here: Pre-Journey Preview.
FAQ
What percentage of guests typically attend a destination wedding?
It varies widely, but many couples see 50 to 75 percent of their invited guest list attend, higher when notice is early and the destination is easy and affordable to reach.
How early should I send a destination wedding save the date?
Aim for at least 9 to 12 months before the wedding. This is earlier than you would for a local wedding because guest will require time to plan travel arrangements, request time off if needed, and budget for this wed-cation.
Does a cheaper destination mean more guests will come?
Generally yes. Price is one of the biggest factors in guest decision-making, so a realistic, guest-friendly price point tends to improve turnout more than almost anything else.
Guest turnout isn't luck, it's math you can actually plan around. If you want help picking a resort and price point that gets your people there, the Pre-Journey Preview is built exactly for that. The October Preview features luxury resorts in Mexico. Get more information on the Pre-Journey Preview: Cancun Edition Here
