Where do the witnesses go???

[boston_012]

Hi,
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Okay, so if I had a destination wedding in Europe, where do the witnesses go? On one hand, it seems rude to have the wedding and then leave the witnesses to fend for themselves in a foreign country, I'd feel obligated to entertain them kind of... but on the other hand, when the wedding is done, the honeymoon starts, and we don't need any company.
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I've searched the net for this, nobody seems to mention it on destination wedding/elopement sites.

[BarceloMayaPalaceBride]

If you only want witnesses in your wedding because you HAVE to then maybe you could just ask a coupld off the street to stand up with you. :) It would be kinda fun and spontaneous to ask strangers, AND it would be something they would never forget. Otherwise, if you want someone close to be your witnesses you could bring 2 close friends. After the wedding you could do your thing, and they could do their thing and you wouldn't have to "entertain" anyone.

[WebLady]

I think this would fall into the general way to treat an OOT wedding guest. You might find them a deal on a hotel, and get them a gift basket or something. Most of the time people will get the the destination a day before and leave the day after. Maybe host a small dinner the night they get in and then a post wedding lunch the day after. Then they will be on their way/own their own and you can go about your honeymoon.

Or if you just need people to witness to sign the marriage license/wedding certificate, often times there are other people you can get to do this. I would ask your officiate/contact where you have booked your wedding and all.

[boston_012]

I think this would fall into the general way to treat an OOT wedding guest. You might find them a deal on a hotel, and get them a gift basket or something. Most of the time people will get the the destination a day before and leave the day after. Maybe host a small dinner the night they get in and then a post wedding lunch the day after. Then they will be on their way/own their own and you can go about your honeymoon.

Or if you just need people to witness to sign the marriage license/wedding certificate, often times there are other people you can get to do this. I would ask your officiate/contact where you have booked your wedding and all.

Ya it's a tricky situation, the bride-to-be isn't down with having randoms do it, but luckily all of this is only in the conceptual stages still. Like most men, I'm good either way, I just don't want to get stuck entertaining anyone. As long as the money for a traditional wedding gets invested into a house instead, I'll be fine :-)

[boston_012]

If you only want witnesses in your wedding because you HAVE to then maybe you could just ask a coupld off the street to stand up with you. :) It would be kinda fun and spontaneous to ask strangers, AND it would be something they would never forget. Otherwise, if you want someone close to be your witnesses you could bring 2 close friends. After the wedding you could do your thing, and they could do their thing and you wouldn't have to "entertain" anyone.

Who pays for the witnesses to fly, and their accommodation? We live in Florida but we're planning on doing this in Italy.

[WebLady]

Who pays for the witnesses to fly, and their accommodation? We live in Florida but we're planning on doing this in Italy.
Typically, unless another arrangement is made, people pay their own way to a wedding regardless of where it is held. This is why it is common to send out Save The Dates to give them time to plan and then give gifts for coming ;)

So like I said before; you might try to get them a deal on a local hotel, do gift baskets, and maybe host a dinner and/or lunch for them.

EDIT: If they can't afford it or don't want to travel, they just don't go. If you know they have money troubles and still want them there you can offer to pay their way, but I don't think it is "required" or typically expected.