Post # 1
Member
1 posts
Wannabee
Ok ladies I’m in need of your help! I need girls that had or are planning weddings outside of the state you are living in but still in the US. I live in AZ and both our families live in IL but I have my heart set on a place in CA. It’s 10 hours from where I live and a significant plane ride from IL plus an almost 2 hour drive from Sacramento airport. how did you guys handle asking people to do so much traveling (plane and car rental). Also we were thinking about doing the bachelor/ bachelorette parties in Vegas because we are so close….(also requiring a plane trip from IL for bridal party)I need ideas from anyone who had or has a similar situation to make it less complicated and possibly expensive for all involved. My venue includes lodging for up to 20 guests for 2 nights in the price With other very close lodging for other guests.
Any suggestions are very appreciated!
Post # 3
Member
736 posts
Busy bee
@MrsCruz2Bee: I’m only having about 10 people to my wedding so I’m not sure that my situation is comparable, but I orginally wanted to help cover everyone’s hotel, then when I realized that that would just be way too much money (I’m a student) I justified it because we aren’t doing showers or bachelor/ette parties, we aren’t having attendants, and we don’t expect any gifts. So yes, my sisters etc are going to have to spend about $1000 on my wedding, but I also spent about $800 on my older sisters wedding and wedding-related activities and hers was in town! Plus I’m only getting married once! I think if people really want to be there then they will come not matter the cost. And if people can’t afford it then they can wish you well the next time you’re in town.
Post # 4
Member
142 posts
Blushing bee
We’re doing the same thing as Allie. Thankfully, everyone who is coming to the wedding is from CA but we are getting married in HI in peak season so asking people to pay that much money just didn’t jive with us.
We are only having 21 guests but are trying to host housing for everyone. We’ve been searching through VRBO for houses that will be able to host everyone. Because we are having such a small wedding, we are able to find villas that are able to house everyone but if your wedding is larger, perhaps you could host lodging for the wedding party only?
Also, because we are having a destination wedding– we’ve kinda accepted the fact that we won’t be having bachelor/ette parties or bridal showers just because we felt like it would be too much to ask people to travel to Vegas for a weekend on top of paying for flights and lodging and food and such. However, if you have your heart set on a bachelorette party, perhaps you could ask your bridesmaids to fly in a few days early and have it in CA to save them the trip? If it’s in Northern California, that’s always a quick jaunt to Tahoe/Reno…
Sacremento area has shuttle services and passenger van rentals too. Perhaps, if you could arrange for peoople to fly in on the same day, you could provide a shuttle service or choose someone (hello, best man!) to make the drive to get people to the venue.
These are just ideas. I don’t know if they’d be appropriate for your party. Sounds like you guys are hosting an awful lot already. I would definitely get started on a website and maybe even get in contact with a travel agent in the area who has experience with destination weddings, they might be able to get your guests some good package deals that include flight/rental car and lodging.
Good luck!
Post # 5
Member
138 posts
Blushing bee
We had a destination wedding. At the time, we lived in Kansas City and decided to get married on NYE in Colorado. Fortunately, most family could drive the 9 hour trip. However, it still seemed to be a little bit of a financial burden. You need to do what makes YOU happy. If having your wedding in California makes you happy, do it. Just allow guests enough time to save up some money/flight shop/request time off. Also, I might suggest having your guys and girls just fly to Cali a few days early to do your parties, versus going to Vegas.