Destination Wedding Etiquette

Congratulations on your engagement!! You definitely can create a registry, I don’t see how that could be considered rude in any way,


As far as the invitations, I probably would do 2 separate ones I feel like it’ll be a lot of information on 1 invite and it would be overwhelming.
Booking your venue is definitely one of the biggest things so good job in getting that out of the way. If you haven’t already I would start thinking of a budget and possible guest count.

Congratulations on your engagement! How very exciting. I agree with Yasmine, definitely go ahead and create your registry, there is nothing rude about it. In a way, I'm sure your guests will be happy there are less events to attend overall and may be willing to splurge a little more on the wedding gift.

So are you inviting everyone to both events? Or are there two invitation lists, one for the destination wedding and one for the local celebration? And if I read correctly, the US reception is before the wedding?

If this was my wedding, I would have two lists - those that are invited to Mexico and those that you are inviting to the local celebration. If any of those that are unable to make it to Mexico, I would find a way to let them know they are welcome to celebrate locally with you.

I think sending two invitations is too much to the same people and it could cause them to choose one event over the other and likely choose to stay local versus travel to Mexico due to costs.

Along with Yasmine, definitely start your budget. It's great you've put yourself on the back burner to help your friend, but don't get too far behind because your wedding is equally important and will require much attention especially because it's in another country.

You should have two separate invitations for two separate events. It wouldn't make sense to send out one invitation and have people RSVP for your local reception so far in advance.

Having a registry is completely fine, but it shouldn't be mentioned on your invitation(s.)

Congratulations on your engagement!! I would do two separate invitations, since they're two separate events.

Congrats on the engagement! And great choice for the destination wedding- they are always the most fun!
I think if everyone is invited to BOTH events, then you could send out the same items to everyone. There are several ways you could go about it:
1. You could send 2 separate invitations (1 to each event) in the same envelope - but that may lead to confusion about whether guests are expected to attend both2. You could send out an invitation to the destination wedding and include a details card stating that guests not wishing to travel can choose to attend the local celebration & include the time & date3. You can put all the info on 1 invitation and then give the options on the RSVP card (ie, instead of just accept or decline, it can say accept then under that heading give the option of which celebration they will be attending).
However, if you are only inviting certain guests to certain celebrations, then I would do 2 separate sets of invitations.

Thank you for the congrats!!


Sorry, I should have mentioned how I'm inviting people! I totally thought about all those great points and definitely worried if I invited everyone to both people would choose local instead. I also worried cause of the way some family is, that if I only invited some to one or the other, people might get a bit offended. My mom and I agonized over this lol. My fiancé really was the one who said to keep it easy for us he thinks we should just invite everyone to both. We pretty much know who would come to what.. the US reception is really just a seated dinner for our family members who definitely would not come to Mexico. To us, Mexico is the important event and we made sure all the important people we want there already know of these plans. Inviting everyone is just a courtesy; mostly cause my mom and grandma talk and there's DEFINITELY people who would hear about Mexico and then be offended they didn't get that invite despite the fact they wouldn't come anyway.
I like the idea Chrysta of the invite being for mexico and then including a details card for the local info. I'm conflicted over 2 seperate invites at sent at 2 different times, although I do see the logic in that as well. I hadn't thought of that tbh lol.
Thank you all for the feedback on the registry as well! Where do you suggest I put registry info since I'm not doing a shower? I know Caytlyn said not on the invite.. should I put that on the local reception details card? Or do I create some little card to send out to everyone in lieu of a shower invite like explaining sorry theres no shower but here's where I'm registered?
Thank you again for all the great info!!

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Registry information shouldn't ever be mentioned anywhere on your invitations. You can include it on your wedding website if you have one, otherwise, people will find out via word of mouth.

I would send everyone an invitation for Mexico and then include an insert as others have said stating if they are unable to attend Mexico, you’d love to be able to do a pre wedding celebration with them in July. The RSVP should have options for just Mexico, just pre wedding celebration, both, or neither. On the same or a second insert, I would include “For more details, visit our wedding website at ....” Then on your website you can include more details on both events as well as your registry.