Bridesmaid Travel Tips for a Destination Wedding
The best thing about a destination wedding is you get two for one: a kickass wedding experience and a
The best thing about a destination wedding is you get two for one: a kickass wedding experience and a vacation!
But… It also means you have to plan for two things instead of one.
Travel involves a lot of unknowns and whatever you do, you don’t want to forget something essential!
If you’re new to all of this, don’t worry. We’ve got all the bridesmaid destination wedding travel tips you need to know. We want you to enjoy the wedding and have the stress-free vacation you deserve.
Financial Prep
Try to book your flight at least 4 months in advance. Some swear you can snag the best flight deals on Tuesday afternoons, but do your own research.
Book your flight so you arrive at least a day or so before the wedding. This gives you a chance to settle in, and also provides a little wiggle room if the flight gets canceled.
Whether or not you choose to purchase travel insurance is up to you, and if you’re flying out of the country—make sure your passport is valid! If not, apply for one ASAP.
Start saving for the experience ASAP. You’ll need to budget for:
- Flights
- Accommodation
- Food
- Excursions
- Emergencies
You’ll also need to budget for the usual bridesmaid things like the dress and a wedding gift.
If you’re staying at a resort, some spots offer payment plans which can be really helpful when you’re having to come up with a lot of expenses all at once.
Do your best to be proactive—the sooner you start budgeting the more funds you’ll have to work with.
To save money, consider coordinating with other bridesmaids: book a shared shuttle, and share room accommodation to reduce costs.
Packing the Essentials
In order to pack effectively, you must know two things: What the weather’s like, and what you’ll be doing.
It’s also helpful to know what’s available – what kind of shops there are, where they are, and what they sell.
If it’s in a populated area, forgetting something like tampons may not be that big a deal, you’ll be able to get some at the shop down the street.
If it’s in a more remote area, you’ll want to pack everything, just in case.
When it comes to packing, some people travel light, and others like to have a whole lot of options.
You can use a packing list generator to ensure you don’t forget something essential, like a charger for your iPhone, or undies.
If you’re flying out of the country, you’ll need adaptors so you can plug your devices into their power outlets.
And don’t forget, along with any clothing you’ll need for excursions (swimsuit, sunscreen, and the rest of the typical vacation stuff…) you’ll need to pack your bridesmaid dress and accessories, and a wedding emergency kit. And don’t forget the tools you’ll need for hair and makeup when getting ready…
One tip is to coordinate your getting-ready essentials with the other bridesmaids. You don’t need to bring your own steamer or curling irons, for example.
Create a shared list, and each bridesmaid can choose a few items that they’ll be responsible for packing.
Travel Strategies
It’s helpful to download the app for the airline you’ll be flying on. That way you’ll be alerted via text or another notification method if there are any changes.
Dress comfortably on the travel day.
Have your identification in an easily accessible place, and keep your phone charger with you at all times. The last thing you want is to have your phone die when you’re about to board if the boarding pass is on your phone!
Arrive at the airport early.
The more time you give yourself, the less stressed you’ll be. There’s nothing worse than being stuck in traffic on the way to the airport, and airports provide some incredible people-watching opportunities.
Don’t forget to stay hydrated: Between the dry airplane air and being thrust out of a regular routine, many people get really dehydrated when traveling.
Keep Your Ducks in a Row
Make sure to have all the travel-related details in one place. You’ll need your:
- Flight info and confirmation number
- Information on connecting flights, if relevant
- Transportation info: how you’re getting from the airport to your accommodations
- Local currency exchange info, if relevant
- Your hotel/accommodation info
- Any wedding destination maps detailing meeting spots and the wedding location
If you’re flying internationally, be aware of local culture and customs. It’s important to be respectful of both.
Keep track of your identification! Losing your ID when traveling is quite a hassle. Take photos of your driver’s license and passport, and make sure you have access to the pics.
Conclusion:
The more proactive and diligent you are during the packing and planning phase, the sooner you can get to the important stuff: Cheers to an incredible vacation-wedding day!
