Destination Wedding guests staying after the wedding?
I am the MOH at a wedding that has recently been relocated to a Caribbean island at an expensive resort. In order to extend our stay, my boyfriend and I want to stay at a nearby hotel for a little while longer after the wedding. She wants us to reschedule that for before the wedding. Is that not ok to stick around if the newlyweds are on their honeymoon? We obviously won't bother them or try to see them. She also wants to tell all guests to be gone by the day after the wedding. This seems rude to me, considering they are asking people to spend thousands of dollars to attend. Am I out of line?
Etiquette Now
WEDDING ETIQUETTE EXPERT
Aug 12, 2008, 9:45 AM
Post #2 of 3
(407 views)
Re: Destination Wedding guests staying after the wedding?
[In reply to]
Dear Malburcham,
There is a reason the saying, "You can't have it both ways" is still around. It is because it is true. The couple choose to have a destination wedding most likely so they don't have the planning or hosting hassles one might have at home. But, with the destination wedding there are also other issues.
Some won't be able to attend due to cost, travel, or commitments. And, for those who can and want to attend, they often want to make a vacation out of this. The trip is costly in time and money. If they can't make a vacation out of the trip, they have lost valuable vacation time. So, you are correct. It is rude and insensitive. There is no way to politely dictate to their guests that once the wedding is over, they are to vacate the island. There is also no reason why you shouldn't stay either.
Re: Destination Wedding guests staying after the wedding?
[In reply to]
I agree with Rebecca but would like to suggest that you consider staying somewhere far from the hotel where the honeymooners will stay, if not too inconvenient. You don't have to, but if it will keep them happy and it's easy enough to do, then why not? If you can accommodate their request for having your vacation before the wedding then consider that option. I'm just suggesting that if you can easily meet their requests then why ruffle feathers? SHRUG Top Wedding Questions Forum Moderator - "Write your sorrows in the sand, your blessings in stone".
Destination Wedding guests staying after the wedding?
