— Guide
Destination wedding invitation wording
A destination wedding invitation has to do more than invite. It tells guests where to fly, how long to stay and what happens on each day, and it reaches them early enough to plan. Below are original examples for weddings abroad, including weddings in Turkey and the Balkans.
Line above the names
Short line above the names
We're getting married abroad
Short line above the names
Join us by the sea
Short line above the names
A wedding worth the trip
Formal
Elif Yılmaz and Daniel Brooks are marrying in Bodrum, Turkey, and ask for your company at the wedding on Saturday, 12 September 2027.
Together with their families, Ana Novak and James Hill are marrying on the Bay of Kotor, Montenegro, and hope you'll be there.
The families of Selin and Marko would love you in Istanbul for a weekend of celebration and the wedding on 5 June.
Mr and Mrs Yılmaz request the honour of your presence at the marriage of their daughter Elif, in Antalya, this coming September.
Relaxed
We're getting married in Bodrum and we'd love you to make a holiday of it.
Pack something light. Our wedding is on the Aegean, and the party goes on long after sunset.
Three days, one wedding, plenty of time at the beach. Come to Kotor.
We picked a place we love and we'd like to share it with you. Istanbul, 5 June.
Bring your swimsuit and your dancing shoes. We're marrying by the sea.
Travel
The nearest airport is Bodrum Milas. Transfers to the venue take about forty minutes.
Flights fill up quickly in summer, so we'd suggest booking early.
Tivat airport is closest to the venue, and Dubrovnik is an easy option too.
If you'd like help planning the trip, message us. We know the area well.
Where to stay
We've listed a few hotels near the venue in the invitation. Mention our names when you book.
Rooms are held for our guests until 1 July. After that, the hotel may release them.
Staying a few extra days? The old town is a short walk from every hotel on our list.
The weekend
Welcome drinks on Friday, the wedding on Saturday, a slow breakfast on Sunday.
Join us the night before for dinner by the harbour. Details are in the schedule.
The schedule in this invitation has every time and place for the weekend.
Dress and weather
September evenings are warm. Linen is welcome, heels on grass are not.
The ceremony is outdoors on a hillside. Bring a light layer for after dark.
Summer dress code. Light colours, comfortable shoes, sun hat optional.
No pressure
We know this asks a lot. If you can't make the trip, we'll celebrate with you when we're home.
Coming that far is a big ask, and we understand if it isn't possible this time.
Whether you come or not, thank you for being part of our story.
What a destination invitation needs
- Both names, the date and the city
- The venue, with the nearest airport if it isn't obvious
- Where to stay, or a few hotel suggestions
- What happens on each day, if the wedding runs over a weekend
- Dress code and a word about the weather
- Whether children are invited
- An RSVP date that matches your hotel's deadline for held rooms
When to send it
Send a save the date closer to a year ahead and the invitation about three months before. Guests need to book flights and leave, and some will need visas. If you're holding hotel rooms, set your RSVP date before the hotel releases them.
Hotels, schedule and map in one link
On a digital invitation the extra cards of a paper suite become sections. Digitally Invite has a hotel suggestions section with a name, address, link and note for each hotel, a schedule where each line has a time and a short description, and a map with directions to the venue. Guests keep it all on their phone while they travel.
Guests who read another language
Each invitation shows one language, English, Turkish or Serbian. If half your guests read Turkish and half read English, some couples publish a second invitation in the other language and send each guest the right link. That's a separate order.
Make it easy to say no
A trip abroad costs time and money, and some people you love won't manage it. One warm line telling guests you understand takes the pressure off and usually brings honest answers sooner.
Frequently asked questions
When should destination wedding invitations go out?
About three months before, with a save the date closer to a year ahead. Guests need time for flights, leave and sometimes visas.
What should a destination wedding invitation include?
Names, date, city and venue, travel and hotel notes, the schedule across the days, dress code, and an RSVP date.
Should we pay for guests' travel?
It isn't expected. Most couples cover the wedding itself and help with information, hotel suggestions and sometimes transfers.
Can we hold a second party at home for those who can't travel?
Yes, many couples do. Send that as its own invitation once the date is set.