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A destination wedding is an exciting, romantic experience. It's also a logistical nightmare for the guests, who have to figure out what to pack. On every trip I’ve been on, my one weakness has been packing. It’s so easy to bring too much! Before I started travel hacking, I had to take the time to understand the wedding customs and do my research in advance to pack for it. These days, when I’m invited to a destination wedding, I don’t worry as much. Here are some tips from experienced travellers who have been there and done that ✈️:
Whether you’re planning or attending a destination wedding, we highly recommend doing a trial run before the big day. This way, if you don't like it or something doesn't work out as planned, you can make adjustments accordingly. This is especially important for women who are traveling for an event to minimize any possible stressors that could occur. If you're in the wedding this is especially important as a lot of eyes will be on you. Check out our list of 23 genius wedding hacks for both guests and hosts here.
Pack for the weather. Before deciding what to bring, do your homework on the location. Check local weather reports and average temperatures for that time of year at your destination🌡️.
And don't forget to factor in any activities you'll be doing — if you're going skiing or hiking before or after the nuptials, you'll need the appropriate gear!
Choose versatile pieces. The key is to pack items that can be dressed up or down and worn multiple times in different ways with different accessories so you can pack light. For example, bring a dress that can be worn with heels and statement jewelry for the wedding and a cardigan and flats for the day-after brunch at a local cafe.
Women can pack fewer shoes. If you're traveling somewhere hot like Hawaii or Mexico, bring one pair of sturdy sandals that can handle walking on sand or dirt and a second pair of dressier evening heels that will work with multiple outfits. Even if the schedule calls for multiple events where evening wear is required, try to find ways to mix and match outfits so that you don't have to bring an entire new outfit each time.
When you're headed to a destination wedding, there's a lot more to think about than just the clothes you'll wear for the ceremony and the reception. You should also consider what you'll wear on the plane, what you'll do if your luggage gets lost, and how you'll get everything from point A to point B.
Here are some tips to make traveling for a destination wedding less stressful:
Pack the essentials in your carry-on. If an airline loses your luggage and it doesn't show up right away, you can still show up to the wedding in something other than what you wore on the plane.
Check bag fees ahead of time. The last thing you want is an unexpected fee at the airport because your bag is too large or too heavy. Make sure to check with the airline before booking your ticket. Some airlines allow one free checked bag, while others charge fees ranging from $25 to $200 each way. If you're flying with a low-cost carrier that charges for carry-ons as well as checked bags, it may not be worth checking a bag at all; instead, pack light and wear a few extra items on the plane if needed.
Packing cubes can help you carefully pack your suitcases and travel better in a number of ways.
Here’s how to use packing cubes to be better prepared:
Separate by activity or outfit: Use one cube to separate your swimwear, another cube to separate your fancy clothes, and another cube to separate your casual clothes. If you’re traveling with multiple people, you could assign each person a color of cube to help keep things organized when you arrive at your destination.
Use large cubes for bulky items: The largest packing cube is big enough to fit a full-size towel, jeans, and other bulkier items that need some space. Bulky items will keep their shape better when stored in packing cubes than when stuffed into corners of suitcases or left loose in bags.
Pack shoes separately: But keep shoes together in a single bag. You can use the smallest packing cube for this purpose so that it won’t take up too much space in your suitcase or bag.
Check out these top-rated packing cubes on Amazon.
Think about the location of the wedding. Is it on the beach, in a mountain lodge or in a big city? If you know where the ceremony is going to take place, it can really help you plan your packing list.
If you're going somewhere hot, don't forget your bathing suit so you can cool off by taking a dip in the pool. You'll also need sunglasses and sunscreen to protect your eyes and skin from harmful UV rays☀️. The sun is much stronger at higher altitudes, so be sure to apply sunscreen every two hours or so if you're spending time outside at a mountain resort.
Whether you're packing for warm weather or cold weather (or anything in between), plan ahead and bring some formal wear along with more casual clothes.
If you're anything like us, you probably think of your phone as a lifeline. Nothing is worse than having a dead phone, laptop, or tablet🔋. If you're traveling to another country, you might want to invest in a universal power adaptor, which is basically a plug that works anywhere in the world. It also comes with USB ports so you can charge multiple devices at once.
Bringing a physical gift is not necessarily inappropriate. But keep in mind that most people don't bring gifts at all when they attend destination weddings. They're usually too expensive for many people to attend or go against other travel plans of guests. You want to bring the perfect gift for the happy couple but you also want to be sure it's something they'll actually use and enjoy.
Good news! Packing a physical gift to bring to their wedding is not ideal. Send something to their cash registry instead. Evstry is completely digital, keeping your bags light. Check out our blog post that covers the how's and why's of gifting cash here).
The personalized URL and QR code will lead you to the happy couple's registry where you can send gifts securely using the Stripe integration and payments platform. Add a heartfelt written or video message and send it their way. With no hidden fees, you can all enjoy the destination worry-free💸.
If you've bought new clothes for the event, make sure they're not too tight or loose before packing them. Most hotels usually have an iron or steamer you can borrow, but it's a good idea to call and check ahead. If you're staying in an accommodation that doesn't, it's smart to bring a lightweight travel iron to smooth out any last-minute wrinkles. We recommend the Conair Turbo Extreme Steam Handheld Fabric Steamer because it's lightweight and gets the job done quickly. Or, check out this mini iron that only weighs a pound.
Pack at least one backup outfit just in case anything gets stained or torn during your travels so you won't be left scrambling on the day of the wedding.
You can toss your jewelry into a tiny, zipped-up pouch...or you can pack it like a pro. If you're going to take the latter route, first you'll need a container. Consider a jewelry roll or travel case that's designed specifically with compartments for multiple pieces of jewelry. You can also use an upcycled mint tin (take off the lid and wrap necklaces around the inside, then fold over the top) or pillbox (remove each compartment's top and store rings or earrings inside). Once your jewelry is in its designated slot, fold up the carrier and throw it into your suitcase.
If you have a lot of long necklaces or chains, try this trick: Lay them out on tissue paper in two horizontal rows and cover them with another sheet of paper. Then fold the ends of the paper over the necklaces so they're completely covered. Fold up the entire paper package like a candy wrapper and stash it in your luggage.
Visit www.evstry.com or follow us on Instagram to learn more about how we are improving the way gift giving is done.
Love,
Evstry Blogs 💍
Photo by Álvaro CvG on Unsplash
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