Inviting guests to a destination wedding is a little different from a local one. It is important to remember that a destination wedding invitation is less about just the invite itself and more about giving your guests plenty of time, details, and answers to their questions.
Many of our clients still love the details of sending a formal paper invitation. We love companies like minted.com to create amazingly beautiful invites at an affordable rate. But, we are now seeing more and more couples choose an e-vite instead of a formal invitation. Withjoy.com and paperlesspost.com are two of our favorite sites.
Regardless of if you choose a paper or digital invitation, there are a few things to keep in mind.
Send your save-the-date early
In a traditional wedding (in your hometown), many brides will forgo the save the date and skip right to the invitation, but the save-the-date is vital with a destination wedding. Try to send your save-the-dates at least 12-18 months in advance to give your guests plenty of time to plan. You can keep the save the date simple, with just the location (Cancun) and the date (January 22, 2028). Let them know that a formal invitation will follow.
Create a wedding website
Planning a destination wedding will require you to provide more details and information to your guests. We always suggest a wedding website for all your details, to not overwhelm the invitation. A website is also a great hub for guests to learn about different wedding events, dress code, travel info, and more.
Some of my favorite things to include on a wedding website include: travel details, group room block information, airport info, transportation information, and things to do in the area. I always love to personalize the site with photos of the couple, a story about how they met, and their engagement story.
Bonus: Find a website that allows you to collect RSVPs!
Mail Formal Invitations
Unlike the 3-month rule for hometown weddings, a destination wedding should have a formal invitation sent out at least 6-8 months in advance. The invitations should include your ceremony/reception details, the wedding hotel and booking information, deadlines for RSVP and booking, and travel tips from you or your travel advisor.
Destination Wedding Invitation Tips:
- Many websites offer an RSVP tool that allows you to collect your guests’ email addresses. Use these addresses to provide updates and share reminders.
- Be sure to share as much information as you can with your guests. For example, if your ceremony is on the sand, let guests know so they can pack proper foodware (aka no high heels!).
- Realize that some guests are not expert travelers and will need more assistance. This assistance can come from you or a travel advisor
- Make the process easy! Provide clear instructions on how to RSVP and RSVP deadlines
What should I write on a save-the-date?
- Couples Name
- Location of the wedding
- Date of the wedding
- Formal invitation to follow
- Wedding website
What should I write on a formal invitation?
- Wedding Couple
- Wedding Date
- Hotel Name
- Hotel Location
💌Formal Invitation Example
Header: Together with their families
Rachael Roe & Kyle James invite you to celebrate their wedding
Details: Saturday, June 14, 2026
Hidden Valley Resort
Tulum, Mexico
Brief overview of travel and accommodations (if you are using a travel advisor, put that here too!)
Include any other events that you will be hosting, so guests can prepare their travel dates
RSVP information and due date
Reminder of the wedding website
Regardless of if you choose paper invitations or an e-vite, the information will remain the same.
