Should I Pay for the Costs Incurred by My Guests at My Destination Wedding?
Destination weddings have become as popular as traditional weddings, they are nothing new anymore. Maybe the new thing about destination weddings are the destinations themselves. At one point destination weddings involved going to Greece or Fiji: now couples go to the Louvre in France, an old castle in Scotland, a cattle farm on a far-flung ranch… the locations just keep getting better and more imaginative. However, a wedding, sadly, isn’t just for the couple (but it could be!): it is also for you for your friends and family.
So planning a destination wedding means taking into consideration those people you would like to be present to witness and take part in the start of your incredible journey of till death to you part. Does this mean that you have to take care of the costs the guests may incur at your wedding?
So, you have considered your friends and families’ pockets, making sure that their flights are at subsidized rates and their accommodation is free (or cheap). You have also made it clear to them that they would be paying for their meals (or not), and food at the wedding reception is free for them. You have covered everything expense-wise with your guests, and they know what they are paying for and what you are paying for. Now, the question: should you pay for whatever expenses the guests incur at your destination wedding?
The answer: NO. This may seem harsh, but it is what it is. Of course, they are there because of you, and to show your appreciation, you have taken care of accommodation, entertainment, activities, and most of the food and destination transportation. And they know this. If they have decided to incur any other costs, they have probably brought extra money with them. It is that simple.