Destination Wedding: How to Organize Travel for Your Guests

You’ve chosen to get married in Puglia, Tuscany, or Corsica? Congratulations! For this significant day, you dream of being surrounded by all your loved ones. But how can you assist your family and friends in being present for this special occasion? Here are some tips to help you prepare the travel arrangements for your guests attending your destination wedding.

Prepare Your Guests’ Travel Plans

To ensure all your loved ones are present on your wedding day, the key is to give ample notice. People typically plan their vacations based on their annual leave schedules. To ensure your close ones can be available for your wedding, inform them well in advance. This allows them to plan their next trips around your wedding. Some might even change their plans and use your wedding as an opportunity to explore the region.

To avoid impacting your wedding budget too much, you can decide not to cover the travel and accommodation costs for your guests. However, they will greatly appreciate your help with recommendations or even making reservations. This way, you help them find the best options at the best prices.

Guests might wonder about accommodation options. The wedding venue might offer rooms, or you could select nearby accommodations. Our team of wedding planners will be happy to assist you in finding suitable lodging options.

Flying as a Group for the Destination Wedding

Your family and friends are free to travel by their own means to the wedding location in the South. They can drive, but they will have many kilometers to cover, especially for a wedding in Puglia. Flying is a simple and quick way for them to get to Italy.

From airports in Paris, Brussels, or other provinces, it’s possible to find economical flights to Naples, Bari, Pisa, and Florence, for example. Flights are offered by Air France and low-cost airlines like Vueling, Ryanair, Volotea, and Easyjet. Use comparison sites like Liligo or Skyscanner to discover available routes.

Moreover, most airlines offer group discounts. The minimum group size varies by airline, with groups starting from ten, fifteen, or twenty-five people. By contacting the group services of the airlines, you can get a free quote for their travel.

These services offer more flexible conditions for changes and cancellations. You also have the advantage of confirming passenger names just a few weeks before departure. Travelers must depart and return at the same time, but the ticket price will be the same for all. They can be welcomed together at the airport and seated together on the plane.

Contrary to what one might think, a group reservation does not necessarily get a discounted rate. The price depends on the number of passengers and the flight’s occupancy. To get around this, you can make multiple bookings for smaller groups. For example, you could book in groups of six to take advantage of better rates. However, this involves more logistics as you need to know the travelers’ names in advance. Also, not everyone will necessarily be seated together on the plane.

Organizing Your Guests’ Transportation

Your guests may not be used to flying or might not be familiar with the departure airport. To avoid stress before departure, you can help by providing all the useful information they need until boarding.

If they choose to drive to the airport, you can share the route to the reserved parking area in advance. While finding a parking spot at the airport is relatively easy, booking in advance simplifies the task. Comparison sites like Parkive can help find spots at reasonable prices. Opting for private parking can save money compared to airport parking. In some airports, valet services are available, where attendants park your car in a secure lot. This service is ideal if your guests are traveling with a lot of luggage.

If guests are taking the same flight, make sure to inform them and give them the schedule before takeoff. Airlines generally recommend arriving two hours before departure, but it’s always good to remind them of the check-in and baggage drop-off deadlines.

Upon arrival in Italy, you can arrange a shuttle service to pick them up from the airport and take them to the ceremony venue. For more flexibility, you can also consider renting cars at the airport. Our wedding planners can help set up these transport services to ensure your guests reach the reception venue smoothly.

By dedicating a little time to prepare these elements, you can ensure a wonderful day surrounded by your family and friends.