Open your social media app, and you’ll see a post about a wedding, a birthday, or a party. Whatever the cause for celebration, there is always an event. It’s always fun and nice to see long-time friends and relatives on a special occasion. The problem is when the event takes place outside of the town or city. Going to a restaurant after work is completely different from going to a different city or state for an event. The former is easy and takes a few hours, while the latter requires planning ahead of time.
To make sure you don’t miss a minute of your friend or family member’s special event, here are things that you should do and what you should avoid:
Do Your Research
When you receive your invitation, you’ll immediately have the main details you need: the date, time, and location. Check out the venue for the event. It might be near enough that you can simply drive to and from the event. Or, it might be too far, and you’ll need a place to stay at during the weekend. You don’t want to get lost and miss the highlights of the party because you were busy going around the road. Plus, there’s also a chance that you won’t have a place in the parking lot. So, do your homework and navigate in advance.
Don’t Wait Until the Last Minute
According to The Knot, wedding invitations are usually sent out six to eight weeks before the event. But, it’s a different story for destination weddings. Some people send out invitations months or even a year ahead of time. It’s to give invitees plenty of time to prepare and make sure that they can make it to the party. But the downside is that some people look at the date and think that they don’t have to do anything until it’s too late. They only realize when they can’t take time off work, the hotel is fully booked, or their car is in the shop.
You don’t have to make plans the minute that you get your invitation. But you should also avoid putting it off because chances are you’ll forget and won’t have enough time. It will also help the people throwing the party plenty of time to adjust if you want to bring a guest with you or not. Time is especially crucial if you’re strapped for cash. If you book your hotel room in advance, it will probably be cheaper than if you book at the last minute.
Do Get in Touch with Other Invitees
Destination events and parties can be pretty tough if you’re going solo. You’ll have to travel for hours, stay in a room alone, and make small talk with people you don’t know. There’s also the cost. It can be expensive to book a hotel room for only one person. This is why you should coordinate with your friends and family members who’ll also be attending the party. Instead of driving alone, you can share a ride with a friend. You can also share a hotel room or any other type of accommodation with your friend or relative. The great thing about going with another person is that you won’t get lonely and you can split the cost with them.
Besides the event, you can maximize the location by making plans with your friends and relatives you haven’t seen in a long time. If the party takes place near a beach, why not take the time to take a dip with friends? If it’s in a touristy town, explore it with family members.
Don’t Forget to Bring a Gift
One of the unique event trends over the years is no-gift parties. Instead of physical gifts, people are asking guests to donate to charities or give nothing at all. But while it’s great for some people, others don’t share the same sentiment. So unless it’s that type of event, it’s best not to come to the event empty-handed.
When it comes to gift giving, it’s good to get something personalized or practical. Personalized gifts are great because it means that you took the time to get something that’s tailored for them. Practical items are always ideal because it’s something that they can use for their daily routine.
Parties are supposed to be a time for fun and celebration. You’re not supposed to be stressed, worried, or miserable when you’re attending such events. This is why you should make plans and avoid waiting until the last minute.
