For some couples, a Hawaii destination wedding is the perfect way to start their “happily ever after” — especially when that wedding takes place in a perfectly romantic setting like Hawaii. But while this might be a dream come true for the happy couple, it can be inconvenient for friends and family. They want to be involved, but what if they can’t afford tickets to Hawaii or get the time off work? Here are some of our best tips for helping to make sure your loved ones feel connected despite the distance.
Invite Those Closest to You
You can probably name a few people in your family or friends group that you’re closer to than anyone else. Show them you appreciate their friendship by inviting them to attend the wedding and a small reception. If you want to go the extra mile and can afford it, you may even want to pay for their flights. However, an invitation will typically be enough for those who are closest to you.
Live Stream the Ceremony
For those who can’t physically attend your wedding, offer a live stream of the service. It’s easy to do and can even be set up with your smartphone and a tripod. Just make sure you’re connected to WiFi or a fast internet service to make sure the video streams as smoothly as possible. Let everyone know where they can view the event a couple of days before it begins to make sure they’re able to clear their schedule.
Host a Reception at Home
Your friends and family will feel like they’re part of the festivities if they’re invited to a party once you’re home from the wedding. You can have this in your backyard as an outdoor reception and show a video of your ceremony on an outdoor movie screen or even rent out at a banquet hall or restaurant, depending on your budget. Go the extra mile and do a little bit of decorating for the occasion. You may also want to pay for the food, as most guests will bring gifts.
Send Announcements
Mail announcements to all of your friends and family, including photos, once the wedding is over. Send this with a friendly request that each person mail you back a local postcard with their warm wishes (include a stamp for them). Once you have all of those unique postcards back, you can save them in a scrapbook that makes your big day a little more special.
Enjoying Your Unique Wedding
Whether you choose to elope or have a traditional wedding in Hawaii, it can feel stressful not knowing how to include the ones you love. You can include everyone and still have the wedding that you want. And then at the end of the day, you can enjoy a beautiful Hawaiian honeymoon. See our picks for the best spots and activities around Hawaii here.
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