The destination wedding invitations you choose to send will not only announce your once in a lifetime event but also make the critical first impression that sets your guests expectations. These expectations will help determine whether they attend. Here are three things to keep in mind when choosing your destination wedding invitations:
1. Your selection should be based on your wedding theme or destination. Choosing a theme at the onset will unify your wedding and make the decision making processes much easier along the way. Most destination wedding themes are based on the destination itself, such as a sea shell theme for a beach wedding, an Eiffel Tower theme for a Paris wedding or a game theme for a Vegas wedding. Your theme can also be based on a color, hobby or even a sentimental place such as where the bride and groom met. However, choosing a wedding theme based on your destination goes a long way to get your guests excited about both your wedding and the location. If you’re still unsure about your theme and need to send your invitations right away, consider sending an airplane invitation such as the one to the right. This type of destination wedding invitation conveys the nature of your event in a fun and memorable way without committing to a particular theme.
2. Choose from a predesigned selection of invitations rather than designing them yourself. This will simplify the process, ensure that details are not overlooked and 
help you stay within budget. You want your destination wedding invitations to appear polished and communicate your wedding details in an impressive way. A destination wedding is different than a common local wedding so it’s okay to choose an invitation that is less traditional such as a card, cut-out, colourful or stand-up invitation like the one displayed on the left. Avoid invitations that look home-made or poor quality. There will be other areas of your wedding where you can “do-it-yourself” to save money but your destination wedding invitations is not one of them. However, you can find many online vendors who will allow you to customize predesigned invitations with pictures or personalized text and send these to you printed, with assembly required. These types of invitations are customized, offer selections to fit almost any budget and provide a polished finished product. Remember, you can only make a first impression once.
3. Your guests need details. You are not only planning your wedding, you’re also planning a mini-vacation for your guests. In addition to sharing information about your wedding ceremony and reception, your destination wedding invitations should also include information about travel arrangements, accommodations, excursions and special events. When selecting your invitation, it’s important to make sure that extra stationary is included or can be purchased so that you can add all the necessary details. If you plan to insert brochures or information from the hotel for example, you will need to make sure that the envelope you select has extra room. However, it is always better to have details typed on the extra stationary so that your invitation looks clean and sleek. You don’t want the invitation to look like an envelope full of coupons. If you can’t include all the necessary information, or some details are 
still undecided, let your guests know that more information will follow. This will prevent you from getting inundated with questions and save you time. Many of your guests will plan their family vacation around your destination wedding so remember to provide them with any information that will make it easier for them to plan the trip.
Your destination wedding invitations should make a memorable first impression, reflect your wedding theme, include detailed travel and hotel information, and ultimately get your guests excited about sharing this special time with you. Choose your destination wedding invitations now.