I'm trying to plan a destination wedding close to Christmas/NYE. Which dates are too early or too late?

January 7th people are unlikely to be able to travel since a lot of people take good chunks of time off for Christmas/New Years Eve.

By the way... a day closer to Christmas may not seem like a big deal, but most of our guests do observe Boxing Day (the day after Christmas) and travelling to South Africa can take many hours. Our international guests all say now that they really want to make the wedding, but is this all adding up to asking them for too much?

You should do Friday the 30th. Its closer to Christmas but if you wait for after most people will be back to work and won't have the time off.

I think 12/30 could be really fun, especially if you are going to host a NYE party the next day! People are likely to have that time off from work, but it is far enough from Christmas and Boxing Day that it won't interfere with most family obligations. Just make sure you give guests enough warning that they have time to take the wedding into account, since a lot of people may already be planning on traveling at that time of year.

I think Friday the 30th would work out better if you are trying to coordinate it with holiday vacations.

Planning that close to the holidays is going to price a good number of your guests out of being able to attend. Flights are SUPER expensive then.

I think the 30th as well, although maybe it wouldn't really matter because I highly doubt that anyone would fly to Africa for a weekend. If it were me and I as planning to attend I'd want to stay for 1 week MINIMUM if not 2. I remember flying to south Africa from Alberta and it TOOK FOREVER. lol.

I would do 12/30. People are more likely able to lump it in with their holiday vacation than be able to take off another weekend right after going back to work.

Purplekitten, well, flights to South Africa don't differ much throughout their summer season (our winter), but yes it is a costly time of year.

LadyMonk, yes everyone is going to make a vacation of it. I guess the wedding could be at the start or the end of their holiday if it's on the 30th.

I agree with 12/30. Just remember though, that no matter what you decide there's never a date that's going to work out for every single guest. For some people, it's actually harder to get time off around the holidays, it just depends on the job. Don't try to work around every single guests' schedule because it's impossible. Just pick the date that works best for you and your VIPs. Happy planning!

I dunno, I just looked it up out of curiosity. The cheapest RT flight to South Africa in October was about $900.00 US. The cheapest RT flight in the time you're suggesting was $1,900 US.

Yeah, October is the end of winter there, beginning of Spring, so it is cheaper flight and venue-wise. Although I did fly to Cape Town for Christmas last year for $1000 US. You just have to look for deals.

Do you think that time of year would be an easier time for people to travel and take time off work?

It depends on their industry. Some industries, it's expected that everyone is going to take vacation then. In a lot more industries, that is the most difficult time of year to get vacation. Also, I mean, it's the US. Not everyone even gets vacation.

I think this is probably a question for you VIP's. I might prefer 12/30, but that could be a no-go for someone else. Start asking around to the people you 100% want to attend and see how they feel.

I agree. You poll the people you absolutely have to have attend and see what they think will work for them.

Popping in to add to PurpleKitten's comment. Your UK guests are unlikely to have Christmas off unless they book it - think only gov employees get it off by default.

FH's company gives 32 days a year - no default bank holidays or celebrations off. Want a day off? It's coming out of those 32. (most folk we know who work outside of councils/local gov have the same set up or slightly more holiday days to spend)

Definitely speak to your VIPs, they're the only folk who can tell you when would work for your particular group.

Thanks everyone for your advice. I guess this is part of having a destination wedding - accepting that some people won't be able to come no matter what time of year it is. Fortunately I know our families will be there, and that is most important. If some friends can come and want to take advantage of the excuse to have a holiday in Cape Town, then that would be wonderful. If not, I can't be disappointed. I guess I have just been worried about people feeling like we are asking them for a massive favour. I'd rather it felt like we were offering them the opportunity to get away.

If everyone in my life was in one country I don't think I would have chosen to have a destination wedding, but c'est la vie