Unexpected guests at destination wedding

I'm not sure I've heard of too many wedding crashers for destination weddings because of everything it entails to get there.
You could have somebody at the door checking to be sure only those who RSVPed yes come in.

I actually had a destination wedding and the morning of the wedding my husband’s cousin showed up.....with NO room booked and no seat at the wedding after a million texts asking if he was coming. People are rude so be prepared for anything.

I had a destination wedding and luckily this wasn’t a problem for me. I was able to keep track of the majority of my guest thru our room block because the hotel would send me the list. Those that booked outside the hotel block I still have their booking information because I requested for welcome bags purposes. I don’t think is that easy to do because all a destination wedding entails (flight, hotel, transportation) however I feel like there’s a possibility that most people would just RSVP last minute which was my case. Either way text or call people in advance and ask them straight up for a yes or a no. Follow up for the maybes until you have a headcount and explain that because is a destination wedding head count needs to be more on advance. For those with kids ask if they plan on taking them to the trip and what’s the plan for ceremony and reception. If you have multiple kids I say provide baby sitter for them since they’re already flying for your wedding so try to accommodate them as much as possible.
Do not panic or worry about it. Most people if they show up last minute would be the day before and you or your guest might run into them at the hotel.

View Quoted Comment This is what I’m scared of. Our rsvp date is approaching and we’re checking in on last minute people, and they’re like oh i lost my invitation, but we’re coming. I’m like omg when where you going to say something?! Smh i hope i don’t have any stragglers

We’re having a destination wedding and this really isn’t something I’m worried about. I included on the rsvp cards two extra lines, one asks where they’re staying and the second asks for what dates.

View Quoted Comment OMG! This is exactly what I’m afraid of! The audacity of some people is astonishing

View Quoted Comment That was a great idea to keep track for guest bag purposes! We do have a room block at the hotel, so I think i’ll call them to see if they update us when guests make reservations. As far as kids go, we are absolutely not allowing anyone under the age of 21 to the ceremony or reception, and we are highly highly HIGHLY suggesting no one bring any family members under the age of 21 on this trip, because due to the nature of all the activities we will be doing, anyone under the age of 21 will basically be hotel bound the entire weekend ( definitely not fun!). If any guests choose to disregard the suggestion, they are definitely on their own in terms of childcare, etc.

View Quoted Comment So scared of that happening!! Surely by now people understand that you have to have a final headcount in order to secure everybody a chair for the ceremony and reception, as well as dinner at the reception! Even more so for a destination wedding! We have very limited seating during the ceremony, so they will be placing out only the exact number of seats we tell them. And we are not having buffet style dinner, we are having a plated dinner, so only the exact number of people coming will have plates. People showing up without RSVPing would be so terrible, and put us in such a horrible position. I just don’t want to have to deal with the stress of that on our big day! Hopefully all of your stragglers give you an answer soon!! Good luck girl !!

View Quoted Comment Including hotel and dates on the RSVP is a great idea!!! I may need to steal that idea! LOL

View Quoted Comment People act like they’ve never planned an event before. Smh but my mom said she’ll make a list of everyone who rsvp’d to the wedding planner, so if anyone who didn’t rsvp shows up, they’ll have to wait & see if they’re any available seats otherwise unfortunately they can’t come to the ceremony.

Yup, I share this concern. We are also having a destination wedding. We just got engaged in July and our wedding is only 3 months away. So, we didn't give tons of notice. (We've been together for 18 years so we didn't want a long engagement lol) I'm ordering handmade place cards on Sea glass from a calligrapher and I just don't know what I'm going to do about the guest list because we don't have it finalized. We are getting a lot of "I don't want to miss it!" Ummm ok?! Yes or no lol I am guessing on the number of favors to order. The good thing is that our wedding is at a private villa and we are providing transportation for all guests to and from the hotel, so I don't think anyone can just show up.