What should destination wedding invitations say?

In addition to the basic details that you’d expect any wedding invitation to convey (the date, time, venue(s), and dress code of your nuptials), there is some additional information that destination wedding invites should include: According to Lillie, they should also provide guidance on accommodations and travel logistics. “Without including this, you’re going to cause questions and have to field everyone’s unnecessary confusion and stress.”

Do you send invites for a destination wedding?

Absolutely! Guests need to know the details of your event, along with travel information, so they can arrive in style and ready to celebrate. However, you can always opt for digital invitations, save-the-dates , or evites to simplify the task.

How early is too early for destination wedding invitations?

According to Lillie, when throwing a destination wedding, it’s best to send your save-the-dates as soon as your wedding date and venue are booked. “Especially if you're going to have multi-day events (many of my clients are South Asian and will have even five-day events), guests may have to take a week-off work just to attend," she says. "Knowing a year in advance is super helpful if possible.”

The 18 Best Destination Wedding Invitations

Destination wedding planning isn’t as simple as just buying plane ticket. From travel logistics to figuring out how to get your dress to its final destination, there’s certainly plenty to do—and choosing and sending invitations is one of the most important items on your destination wedding to-do list. After all, you need to spread the word that your guests will soon be packing their bags. According to wedding planner Denise Lillie, it’s best to do so ASAP after your location is booked. “When you know, they should know!” she says.

Since an event like your nuptials deserves first-class-worthy invites, we researched the best destination wedding invitations in a range of themes and aesthetic styles. Whether you’re tying the knot in a rustic mountain setting, on a tropical beach, or in a chic metropolitan city, rest assured that there’s a destination wedding invite suited to your far-flung festivities.

Get ready to take off: Adventures (and wedding cake) are ahead! Read on for the best destination wedding invitations.

Designed With Amore Destination Wedding Invitation With Tropical Laser-Cut Gate

DesignedWithAmore Vibrant Destination Wedding Invitation With Tropical Laser-Cut Gate — Etsy

Buy on Etsy $13

How stunning is this suite? Featuring a pink-and-green bright tropical motif, layered construction, and laser-cut golden palm leaves, the completed invite includes the main card with envelope, a details card, and response card and envelope.

JP Stationery Floral Destination Wedding Invitations

Buy on Etsy $2

Inspired by traditional Mexican embroidery, this suite is suited to festive, sun-drenched nuptials. The wording and the font type and color can be adjusted to your preferences, and the creator also offers return and guest addressing services as well as multiple paper options. With single samples going for just $2.25, a set of 25 invites and envelopes can be purchased for under $100.

Minted Angela Thompson Mountains Wedding Invitations

Minted Mountains Wedding Invitations — Minted

Buy on Minted $195

Simplistic and minimalist, this invitation features a linear design that’s perfect for mountainside nuptials. You can choose from a whole host of colors for the card’s backdrop, and there are also several shape and paper options. Also on offer: matching RSVP cards, reception cards, belly bands, wax seals, and more.

Creative Thing Studio Printable Passport Wedding Invitation

Buy on Etsy $18

Unique destination wedding invitations don’t have to break your budget. Case in point: This printable suite that’s a total showstopper. It’s designed to mimic the look of a passport and boarding pass, and the digital file comes complete with the passport invitation card, boarding pass RSVP-card, details card, and wedding day timeline. Once downloaded, all of the text can be edited to reflect the details of your big day and then you can simply print the invites yourself before sending to your soon-to-be jet-setting guests.

IYHTVDesigns Modern Minimal Boho Desert Invitation

Buy on Zazzle.com $3

Hosting your soirée in Joshua Tree or under the desert sun? Then consider this southwest-inspired invite. Available in both terracotta and emerald green color palettes, the invitations include a cactus illustration and come complete with white envelopes. The details and text are completely customizable, as well as the shape of the invites and the paper itself (options include matte, semi-gloss, and linen).

Connie and Joan Travel Inspired Folded Invitation

Buy on Etsy $20

Another printable option, this destination wedding invitation is an excellent choice that will help you save major money on stationery costs. With a world map on the front, the folded invite opens to reveal the details of the event—all of which can be edited once downloading the digital file. You can even include your own QR code that guests can use to easily RSVP or access your registry.

Minted Paper Sun Studio On The Horizon Letterpress Wedding Invitations

Minted On The Horizon Letterpress Wedding Invitations — Minted

Buy on Minted $419

Letterpress wedding invitations offer a tactile experience and vintage aesthetic. This particular design—ideal for rustic events and woodsy destination celebrations—features a mountainous landscape and prairie flowers. Printed on thick cotton paper that's super soft, the design is also available on RSVP cards, reception cards, direction cards, and more.

Golden Moments LA Palm Leaves Acrylic Wedding Invitation Set

GoldenMomentsLA Gold Palm Leaves Clear Acrylic Wedding Invitation Set — Etsy

Buy on Etsy $6

Acrylic invitations are an elevated, modern option when it comes to wedding stationery. These feature a golden palm leaf design—suited to tropical destination weddings—and couples can choose from clear or frosted acrylic, as well as customize the wording, text, font, and colors. The invites come with envelopes (in an array of color options), and offered add-ons include RSVP cards and envelopes, guest address printing, and custom wax seals.

Paper Culture NYC Landmarks Wedding Invitation

Buy on Paperculture.com $132

A big day in the Big Apple calls for on-theme invites. Look to this design full of all the sights and architecture that NYC is known for. In addition to the flat card invites, a few of the other available accessories include complimentary response cards, thank-you cards, direction cards, and save-the-dates. And you can also rest assured that zero trees were harmed in the making of your invites: The cards are from 100 percent post-consumer recycled paper and the company plants a tree with every order.

Becky Nimoy Charcoal Sketched Italian Winery Wedding Invitation

Buy on Zazzle.com $3

Cheers to your big day! Suited to a romantic, vineyard wedding, these invitations feature a charcoal sketch of a winery to let your guests know of the boozy bash ahead. Available in both portrait and landscape orientations (measuring in at 5x7” and 7x5” respectively), standard white envelopes are included.

Minted Nicoletta Savod At Sea Wedding Invitations

Minted At Sea Wedding Invitations — Minted

Buy on Minted $234

These painterly invites are positively dreamy for an seaside wedding. You can customize the color palette to match that of your wedding, as well as add foil detailing for an elevated touch. And to simplify your stationery needs, these invites feature an all-in-one-design: Each card can be folded and mailed without an envelope, and it even has a pre-addressed and perforated RSVP postcard attached.

Cartalia Blush Palm Tree Laser-Cut Tropical Destination Invitation

Buy on Etsy $6

Aloha, gorgeous! This laser-cut invitation couldn’t be more of a stunner. A blush-hued palm tree is cut into the exterior of the card, while the interior features all the big-day details with gold digital printing. A belly band—laser-cut with a pineapple and your initials—is also included with the invitation and envelope.

Minted Lori Wemple Luggage Tag Wedding Invitation

Minted Luggage Tag Destination Wedding Invitation — Minted

Buy on Minted $195

These petite invites will inspire your guests to pack their bags right away! Fashioned to mimic an old-fashioned luggage tag, the stationery’s color theme can be customized, as well as its shape and paper type. Foil detailing can also be added, and coordinating pieces like RSVP cards and thank-you notes can be added to your order.

dahlia design co. Gorgeous Papel Picado Boda Foil Wedding Invitation

Buy on Zazzle.com $21

If you’re heading across the border to say your vows, first say “I do” to these on-theme wedding invites. The papel picado-inspired design is available in three metallic foil hues (gold, silver, or rose gold), and is available with squared or rounded corners. Plus, it’s made from recycled material.

Zola Montavilla Invitation

Buy on Zola $2

These boarding pass-inspired invitations from Zola are fit for any wedding location, from the mountains to the beach and everything in-between. Complete with a border of sweet blooms, the invites can be printed on your choice of paper (with options including eggshell, linen, and pearlescent) and background color, and you have the option to add foil detailing. Perks like free shipping and free envelopes and addressing are also included.

Paper Culture Paris Connection Wedding Invitation

Buy on Paperculture.com $132

Your guests will RSVP “oui, oui,” to your Parisian soriée once they receive this invitation. A watercolor illustration of the City of Lights is the star of the show here, and you have the option of completing the suite with coordinating response cards, thank-you notes, and direction cards, and save-the-dates. Customizable details include the font and paper type.

Paper Source Sierra Wedding Invitation

Buy on Papersource.com $220

For a forest-set event or destination wedding in the mountains, opt for this invite and its charming watercolor illustration. The finished invite comes digitally printed with all of the details of your big day, and you can add coordinating stationery pieces like response and information cards, thank-you notes, and more. As a bonus, the paper is made using wind power and is FSC-certified (meaning its production was environmentally responsible).

MospensStudio Spanish Talavera Pottery Inspired Destination Wedding Invitation

Buy on Etsy $150

For a ceremony by the breezy blue Mediterranean, these Spanish Talavera-inspired wedding invitations are just the ticket. The thick bright white card stock boasts hand-drawn watercolor illustrations in a pretty blue hue, along with letterpress printed text for all your important details. Accompanying stationery pieces like RSVP cards, envelopes, and more are also available.

What to Look for In Destination Wedding Invitations

Location

When choosing destination wedding invitations, take inspiration from the location of your nuptials. “I think couples should look for something that speaks to their excitement about the location,” says Lillie. “For example, if you’re having a beach wedding in Mexico, featuring the gorgeous colors of the sunset or watercolors to allude to the sea is a beautiful way to go.”

Budget

Don’t forget about your budget when shopping for stationery. While there are some stunning splurge-worthy invites that feature unique materials like acrylic and laser-cut designs, there are plenty of beautiful lower-cost options, too. You can even purchase an inexpensive digital design and then print the invitations yourself to save major cash.

FAQ

What should destination wedding invitations say?

In addition to the basic details that you’d expect any wedding invitation to convey (the date, time, venue(s), and dress code of your nuptials), there is some additional information that destination wedding invites should include: According to Lillie, they should also provide guidance on accommodations and travel logistics. “Without including this, you’re going to cause questions and have to field everyone’s unnecessary confusion and stress.”
Do you send invites for a destination wedding?

Absolutely! Guests need to know the details of your event, along with travel information, so they can arrive in style and ready to celebrate. However, you can always opt for digital invitations, save-the-dates, or evites to simplify the task.
How early is too early for destination wedding invitations?

According to Lillie, when throwing a destination wedding, it’s best to send your save-the-dates as soon as your wedding date and venue are booked. “Especially if you're going to have multi-day events (many of my clients are South Asian and will have even five-day events), guests may have to take a week-off work just to attend," she says. "Knowing a year in advance is super helpful if possible.”

Why Trust Brides

Brides contributor Jamie Cuccinelli has years of experience in the wedding and lifestyle industries as both an editor and writer for publications such as Brides, Bustle, and The Zoe Report. Her time at Brides has made her a bonafide gift-giving and planning pro, and an expert in the art of stocking the perfect registry. Plus, she always RSVPs on time.

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