VisitorsCoverage logo
Travel Tips and Safety

Destination Wedding Travel Tips

Destination Wedding Travel Tips

Wedding season is here! While some couples are planning to exchange vows close to home, others are busy prepping, booking and scheduling for their destination weddings. If you and your special someone have dreams of traveling to a secluded island or flying off to Paris to say “I do,” here are some tips to keep you and your wedding guests happy and safe. 

Finalize Your Wedding Vendor Checklist Early

Whether you’re dealing with overseas caterers, venue owners, or florists, make sure you’re all on the same page before you travel. By the time you’re on the plane, you want to be able to relax and de-stress. Confirming everything before you depart will give you peace of mind and allow you to be in the moment as your big day approaches.  

Make Sure You Meet Your Destination’s Entry Requirements

As we’ve all seen in the last two years, country restrictions can change day by day. Make sure you’ve researched your destination country’s restrictions regarding Covid, passports, travel insurance, and beyond. It’s a good idea to let your wedding party know what the restrictions are right away. If they need to update their passport, or get a Covid vaccine, or purchase travel medical insurance to satisfy the country’s entry requirements, the more time you can give, the better chance they have of making all the arrangements in time for your big day.

Give Your Guests Plenty of Time to Make Travel Arrangements

It’s no secret, destination weddings are as expensive as they are special. Send out your invitations early and give your guests as much time as possible to clear their schedules and make travel insurance. This also gives them more time to think about and research their travel safety options. 

Set Clear Expectations For Travel & Lodging

When it comes to destination weddings, it’s generally assumed that the burden of paying for flights and hotels falls on the wedding guests. But be sure they’re aware of this before they RSVP. If you already booked a block of hotel rooms for your guests, let them know as soon as possible. 

Include Your Wedding and other Essential Items In Your Carry-On

Though trip insurance may cover expenses related to the loss, damage or delay of these precious items, you might want to consider carrying them with you. Store your dress in a garment bag and count that as your carry-on for the flight. 

Opt for Trip Insurance

For Americans, traveling to foreign countries takes a lot of time, coordination and money. For couples planning destination weddings, the stress can be doubled. Not only are you busy planning all the details of your special day, but also you’re dealing with the logistics of booking flights and hotels, making arrangements in advance with foreign venues and caterers. When you’re juggling so many unknowns, trip insurance can help keep your financial investment safe.  

If you’re traveling with rings or expensive wedding gifts

Whether you’re the Best Man in charge of the all-important wedding bands, a bride-to-be toting her special gown in a garment bag, or a guest traveling with gifts for the happy couple, trip insurance can cover costs related to the loss, damage or delay of these special items. If you feel apprehensive about traveling with such priceless items, rest assured, buying trip insurance can certainly ease your mind.  

If the Wedding Is called off last minute

No one likes to think about this as they’re planning their weddings but if plans go awry you, your wedding party, and your guests will all be glad you have trip insurance. 

If you end up having to cancel your trip or certain points on your itinerary, trip insurance with a Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) can help you recoup certain prepaid expenses like venue and hotel deposits. Trip insurance can also safeguard your expenses if you missed your flight or, potentially, if your flight gets canceled.

If the wedding festivities are canceled when you’ve already reached the destination, a trip insurance plan with Interruption For Any Reason (IFAR) coverage can help. This coverage allows you to interrupt your plans for any reason and recoup financial losses associated with cutting your trip short. These expenses could include reimbursement for unused lodging, or event tickets. 

If there’s more than just rain on your wedding day

If you’re holding your wedding abroad, make sure you follow and are prepared for the weather. Make sure you know what to expect. For instance,  hurricane season in the Caribbean starts in June, which is a peak time for destination weddings. Standard trip insurance will reimburse you for certain prepaid travel expenses  if your trip is canceled due to severe weather.  

If you need medical care abroad

When you’re planning what should be one of the most amazing days of your life, you don’t want to think about things going wrong. That’s totally understandable; the anxiety of the what-ifs is stressful.  But one of the best ways to ensure that the unexpected doesn’t upend your big day, is to consider travel medical insurance. When you’re traveling to a foreign country, your domestic healthcare no longer applies. For U.S. citizens, both trip insurance and travel medical insurance keeps you financially protected and provides the care you need if you contract an illness like Covid, or suffer an injury. For non-U.S. citizens, only travel medical insurance will provide this coverage. To find out more about what travel medical insurance can do for you, click here.    

A wedding is a time for friends and family to come together to celebrate. One of the best ways to keep the occasion happy and stress free is to do what you can to keep you and your guests safe. Purchasing travel insurance for yourself and your family and encouraging your guests to do the same is just one of the many ways you can help keep your destination wedding safe and memorable for all the right reasons.  

If you have any questions about travel insurance and need assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact our Customer Success Team of licensed travel insurance experts. 


Related Articles

Most Common Travel Accidents

We are surrounded by potential risks everywhere we go, but when we’re traveling, there are…

10 Invaluable Tips for Staying Healthy During Winter Travel to the US

During the winter months, certain regions of the US are affected by severe weather conditions,…

Food and Travel: Healthy Eating Tips for Your Next US Trip

Trying the local cuisine can be one of the most exciting parts about traveling to…

Best Ways to Beat the Heat on Your European Trip

Heat waves can catch many travelers off guard and unprepared. Temperatures reaching 109 °F (43…

How to Travel During The Pandemic

During the pandemic, an unprecedented number of people have been forced to stay home or…

Travel Gear for Safe Travels in 2021

“Are we there yet?” It’s a question frustratingly familiar to parents of small children setting…

Travel Safety & Ecotourism

Ecotourism combines tourism with conservation efforts. Eco-minded travelers can explore the world, observe the wildlife,…

This Valentine’s Day, Give the Gift of Travel

A dozen roses. A box of chocolates. A heart-shaped locket. When it comes to Valentine’s…

National Parks Travel Safety Tips

As we approach the summer months you might be thinking about reacquainting yourself with Mother…

Avoid the Chaos with Travel Tips from Flight Attendants

If you’ve ever put in your earbuds and turned on music to drown out a…

9 Amazing Tips for a More Mindful Travel Experience

Mindfulness has become a bit of a buzzword lately. There’s mindful eating, mindful drinking, mindful…

9 Tips for Traveling on a Budget

Traveling can be an amazing experience. Unfortunately, it can also be an expensive one. However,…

Everything You Need to Know About Traveling with Pets

Max. Snowball. Mittens. Spot. Whatever name they go by, our pets mean the world to…

5 World Cup Travel Tips

Sunday marked the kick-off of one of the most watched sporting events in the world….

Jet Lag Tips for International Travelers

Picture this: You arrive in Italy with a jam-packed itinerary, and yet you can barely…

Disclaimer

Plan features listed here are high level, provided for your convenience and information purpose only. Please review the Evidence of Coverage and Plan Contract (Policy) for a detailed description of Coverage Benefits, Limitations and Exclusions. Must read the Policy Brochure and Plan Details for complete and accurate details. Only the Terms and Conditions of Coverage Benefits listed in the policy are binding.