For expert guidance on maximizing your enjoyment of a destination wedding while ensuring you return home feeling refreshed, we reached out to experienced wedding specialists. Here’s their best advice.
Who doesn’t love a destination wedding? We surely do! Attending a wedding at an exotic destination is the perfect vacation and celebration all rolled into one. And we're clearly not the only ones who think so. According to The Business Research Company, the destination wedding market is expected to grow from $36.22 billion in 2024 to $47.69 billion by the end of this year. That's a whopping 31.7% growth rate.
While destination weddings can be a lovely break from your everyday routine, often, you’re left depleted in the aftermath. They promise picturesque escapes and joyful festivities, but the reality also includes long travel days and late nights.
To help you make the most of each destination wedding that you attend, we spoke to leading wedding experts. Here are expert-approved tips to survive excessive revelry during the taxing destination wedding season. Bookmark this guide to successfully navigate the destination wedding season!
Pace Yourself
It’s crucial to remember that a destination wedding is a marathon and not a sprint. It’s a multi-day event, and you want to be in your best shape for the celebrations and your return home.
Resist the urge to go all out on the first day itself. Give yourself time to adjust to the new time zone and environment. Arriving a day before the festivities begin is always a good idea. This additional day can significantly affect your energy levels during and after the destination wedding.
“When it comes to destination weddings, time and logistics are everything. Between flights, time zones, and packed itineraries, it’s easy to feel drained. Arriving a day early gives you time to settle in, recharge, and avoid feeling rushed once events begin,” declares Martina Asgari-Majd, event planner and founder of Parisa Social Events. “Be selective with your schedule—skip a non-essential event or leave early if you need rest. Even a quiet walk or spa break can reset your energy so you’re fully present for the moments that matter.”
Hydrate And Try To Eat Clean
Dehydration and unhealthy food are the major culprits for exhaustion after a wedding celebration. While it’s normal to want to let your hair down, enjoy a few cocktails, and indulge in your favorite foods at weddings, try to stay hydrated and focus on eating healthy food whenever possible. Pack nutritious food like nuts, seeds, and dried fruit for snacking between events. A good rule of thumb is to drink a glass of water for every cocktail or alcoholic beverage you consume.
“Hydrate constantly. Drink plenty of water before, during, and after your flights, and then enjoy your evenings. Pack hydration tablets or electrolyte powder for easy, portable hydration boosts,” remarks Meg Walker, executive chef and president of MBM Hospitality. “Eat clean when you can, and incorporate as many fresh vegetables, fresh fruits, and healthy proteins as possible when you’re not at the scheduled events of the wedding. The more vitamins and nutrients you can put into your body, the faster you’ll recover from late nights and dance marathons, and the better you’ll feel at the events themselves.”
Embrace Downtime
Destination weddings typically involve several events spread over multiple days, so make the most of the breaks between events by resting and relaxing. An hour or two to unwind will help you make the most of the wedding weekend.
“The magic of a destination wedding lies in its ability to whisk you away, but without intentional pauses, the celebration can quickly become overwhelming,” mentions Priya Maganti, wedding planner and co-founder of RVR PRO and RVR Eventz Design.
Often, the couple schedules downtime in the wedding itinerary, which is a thoughtful way to ensure that the guests don’t get burnt out and can enjoy the festivities fully.
“I always encourage couples to create breathing room in their schedule—time for guests to recharge, explore, and truly soak in the experience,” adds Samantha Curtis, wedding planner and founder of Sarue Event Design. “One of the most helpful things couples can do is secure on-site accommodations at the venue, especially for the couple and wedding party. It cuts down on logistics, reduces stress, and gives everyone space to focus on what really matters—being together and making lasting memories.”
Prioritize Sleep
Long travel days, late-night revelry, and new sleep environments can lead to inadequate sleep. Pack items that will help you sleep better, such as an eye mask, earplugs, or a travel-sized pillow. If you had a late night, try to nap the next day to feel refreshed for the remaining festivities.
“At a destination wedding, don’t forget the basics—stay hydrated, prioritize sleep, and plan ahead so you can enjoy the celebration instead of troubleshooting logistics,” says Asgari-Majd.
Plan For Post-Wedding Recovery And Exploration
Once the wedding celebrations have ended, take some time to rest and rejuvenate before getting back to your regular schedule. Gentle movement and restorative food and drinks will help with recovery.
“By day three, there’s a chance you might not have much of a voice. Incorporate smoothing, restorative hot teas (such as chamomile, honey, and ginger) into your morning-after routine to help with any sore throats from loud nights. When scheduling, add in a day of rest for when you return home to unpack, hydrate, and get set up for the week ahead,” states Walker.
Lastly, if the destination wedding is at a spot you haven’t visited, add a day or two to explore the destination. You will return home more relaxed and have wonderful memories of the wedding and the place. This dedicated exploration time will transform the trip from a destination wedding to an exploration adventure.
“My destination wedding survival tip is always to leave a few days open after the wedding events to explore the area you’re visiting,” concludes photographer Lensy Michelle. “So often, when we travel for a wedding, you are swept up in the event and don’t get to see the surrounding area, even though the couple often selected that particular location because it has things to see and do. Most couples list things to do in the area on their wedding website, but we often don’t leave time to do them! Try taking their advice for a more relaxed trip!”
Written by Pallavi Mehra | Cover photo by Amor Amor Weddings from Remi and Alejandro's Tulum Destination Wedding
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