Weddings are magical occasions, and to add to the magic, a lot of brides and grooms opt to roll a wedding and honeymoon into one and have their whole guestlist come out to a beloved site to enjoy a rain-free climate and a new culture to enjoy traditions in. Others opt to have their wedding in their homeland and invite their found family and friends along.
If you’ve found yourself invited to a wedding abroad, you’re in for a treat, but you will also need to make sure you are prepared. Take a look at our guide to essentials you should have nailed down before you’re on your way.
Your accommodation
Depending on the couple getting married and their situation, they may have sorted all this for you. Job done. Simply pack and arrive.
If you are left to your own devices when it comes to accommodation, that’s equally as helpful. It means you can go as lavish or frugal as you feel like in a situation known for draining wallets. Have a look at the location of the wedding. You will have loads of options beyond the hotel at the venue. Compare the nearby hotel rates to see what else is out there and you can make your way to the wedding from there.
Or you can look at Airbnb’s and get yourself a villa, an apartment or a room for a comfortable experience that is value for money. The best thing about Airbnb’s is that they hide the most noteworthy experiences, like staying in a treehouse or mud hut, or even containing a sauna or hot tub.
Your paperwork
There are airport checklists found online for a reason: there is a lot of paperwork around trying to travel, and even more so in the midst of a pandemic. Not only do you need to keep a hold of your passports, travel documents, flight tickets, etc. but also have proof of your Covid status on you to be allowed out of your country or into another.
On top of that, you should get some travel insurance. It is more important than ever to have that safeguard there, should a country’s government, or your own, withdraw access due to another spike in Covid or variation. As an example, travel insurance by Staysure will cover you for not only all the usual dangers that might befall a traveler, like illness and having their bags lost or stolen, but also cancellation of your plans due to Covid.
You don’t want anything stalling you on the way to the airport, so make sure you have a checklist of documents and that you are covered should something go wrong. It’s more important you’re there than what you’re wearing for example.
Your outfit
That being said …what are you wearing?
There’s a lot more to take into consideration when thinking about what you’ll wear to a wedding abroad. The climate for one thing, and the traditions of the culture for another.
Do some research into the country you’re headed to, and if in doubt, consult the couple. If you’re worried that you’re stepping toes by wearing something of another culture or on the other hand, going to stand out in your usual garb, ask the couple their opinion. Maybe they like the mishmash of traditions, or maybe they want to include you.
Meanwhile, chances are you’ll be heading to a different climate no matter where you’re going. If you’re headed to a hotter climate to enjoy a beach wedding, you might want to look into some lighter fabrics for your outfit. All the dancing, and many guests nearby will result in wedding photos filled with flop sweat if you stick to what would suit in British weather.
