Page 44 - Port Douglas Magazine 29

PLUS ONE OR PLUS TRIBE?

WORDS by Cassie Flinn
A dreamy location is picked and the date is marked on your calendar in a jumbo red love heart #squeal.
Planning your postcard perfect destination wedding is in full swing until you hit one oversized speed bump ... the guest list! Who to
invite is a big decision. Not even the most chic monogrammed stationary is going to save you from the arduous task of capping the
numbers and culling the contenders. Sure. you can easily convince your parents that Great Aunt Jean and Cousin Barry twice removed
are long shots, but what about the moral dilemma of inviting Plus 1’s that turn into Plus Tribes? Yes, the pint sized party goers, the ones
who pack cuteness overload but also a suitcase filled with excess wants and needs!
It’s true the rule book for wedding protocol has been burned. It’s your day to share your own way. So if you’re prepared to be upstaged
by a mass of tiny tuxedos and tulle dresses rather than containing the tantrums and tears to just your bridal party then here’s five ways
to say YES to a stress free family friendly destination wedding.

Tick Tock! Timing is everything so get your ‘Save the Dates’ What’s on the menu? An eight course degustation with
posted pronto and launch your WEDsite with all the event palate cleansers and paired wines or a grazing table,
1 details and destination information. Give families plenty 4canapés and doughnut wall? Ask your caterers for a tailored
of notice, allowing them time to arrange travel plans, finalise kids’ menu because who wants to be paying per head price tags
bookings and convince the grandparents to tag along as au pair. for children when the truth is they would prefer crumbed chicken
Timeline events so that they flow, ensuring the kids don’t crash nuggets over a citrus spatchcock aranchi any day. Set up a kids
and burn along with your wedding vibes, especially if the gap dining table with colouring in and party favours but don’t put
between the ceremony and reception is too long. baby in the corner! Keep them central so parents don’t have to
play musical chairs all night.
Location Location! Scout out the best reviewed resorts
or airbnbs for your guests that are close to the wedding Bring the party! Is a jazz band set to swing or a DJ ready to
2 venue. Encourage families to holiday together, explore the fill the dancefloor playing all the party anthems? Either way,
destination and meet up poolside prior to the wedding. Keeping 5make the reception fun for everyone. Kids love to groove so
it all local means they can easily arrange transport and book if you’re game just let them bop till they drop ... which won’t be
babysitters with the reassurance that they are nearby to their long! Then the adults can dust of their dancing shoes and show
sleeping bubs. their moves solo.
It’s all in the details! Are you having a formal church service And if you are still not 100% committed to saying ‘I DO’ to
and sophisticated sit down dinner or a beach ceremony children at your wedding then compromise is the key to survival
3and relaxed cocktail party? Be mindful when booking your as a Mr & Mrs. So take on the current trend and invite the under
venues that they may restrict numbers or just not be kid friendly. agers to just the ceremony only. Bringing families together to share
Let your style shine without risking little fingers knocking over your love, giving them a chance to mingle with the other guests
the bohemian floral arch. Even some adults struggle to behave and time to have a quick photo op with the B&G.
after a few champagnes so if you are inviting kids ensure there is Even switch the bouquet toss and cutting of the cake until after
a safe spot where they can play with their own kind of bubbles.
Go one better and create a supervised kids zone with a party the signing of the register because kids are all about throwing
entertainer, games or chill out space. things and eating cake at parties. Then parents can call in the
reinforcements and wave goodbye, kiss goodnight or sneak off
like ninjas free to party the night away at an adults only reception!

“Even some adults struggle to behave after a few
champagnes so if you are inviting kids ensure there is a safe
spot where they can play with their own kind of bubbles...”

46 tourismportdouglas.com.au