As if planning and attending weddings in your own city wasn’t daunting enough, everyone you know has gone and decided to throw a wedding in a land far far away. Destination weddings have become a trend, that is not going away anytime soon. There was a time when only your aunt’s best friend’s uber rich neighbor could throw one of these but now it’s become pretty main stream. And that’s exactly why it’s very likely that you will have to attend one, soon if not now. So don’t act like you didn’t see it coming. Stay prepared with the ever important Packing Checklist for Destination Weddings:
1) Clothes, DUH!
Don’t worry, this isn’t about to become the dumbest thing you ever read. Yes of course we know you will carry your clothes but there are a few pointers to keep in mind:
Find out where exactly the functions are, indoors or outdoors. You don’t want to be freezing in a skimpy sari blouse or sweating in a full sleeve salwar kameez without reason. Find out the weather of the place and where the function will be. This can take care of a lot of discomfort.
Also, sometimes destination weddings have an unspoken theme, like gowns on the beach for instance. So please do a little background check and ask around. You don’t want to be the odd one out.
Also, sometimes at destination weddings there are informal gatherings or parties. Not everything is printed on the invite. So please remember to carry an extra outfit or two.
Then there’s also the chilling late nights in the hotel premises. So up your game with decent loungewear, you don’t want to look like a rag doll. Unless that’s how you roll, in which case it’s fine.
2) It’s Shoe Time!
Same story with shoes, it all depends on the place. Heels don’t work well with grass and sand. If you must wear stilettos, check out this awesome invention to protect your heels and ask abroad wala cousin to get their hands on it for you. To be on the safe side though, just go with a pretty pair of flats and modest wedges. While it’s important to be fashionable, it’s also important to defy gravity and stand straight.
3) Medi-sins
While it’s likely that there’s a medical store in the hotel or nearby, just carry your own medicines. That way, no one needs to know if you have a headache or worse, acidity.
InOnIt Special Tip: Carry a Party Smart tablet if alcohol is going to be involved. It’ll be nice to wake up for the next morning function without a hangover and be photograph-ready. It’ll make people wonder what you did differently, and that feeling is always welcome.
4) Hair and There
Let’s not deny it, it is Indian mentality to use all the things that we get for free. So there’s a chance you were thinking you wouldn’t have to pack your shampoo, conditioner and body wash. But please do. Carry them for you don’t want your hair to misbehave, which it might if you try experiments on it. For your regular look, also for the sake of not developing any allergies, please stick to using your own toiletries.
(Ps: Carry the free goodies in your hotel room back home. Just so that you honour your traditions. No other reason.)
InOnIt Special Tip: Put all liquids (i.e. shampoo, gels) inside zip lock bags and place them on top of your bag when you pack so that if they burst open in transit they won’t dirty all your clothes.
5) Pressed for Time?
You may or may not get the chance to go to a parlour. Destination weddings can be hectic and you may use that extra hour to snooze. Also, in case you’re abroad you will have to pay through your nose to get a simple blow dry. Just avoid all stress and carry your hair iron with you. Don’t assume you will borrow one because everyone will assume that. They say the quickest way to get rid of a bad hair day is the hair iron. Carry it with you, and give your look a straight A.
These pretty much cover the packing essentials. But the mummy in me can’t help leave you with a list of basic Dos and Don’ts.
- DO carry all your clothes in individual sari bags (easily available in the local market)
- DON’T forget to carry your make up remover.
- DO carry your camera, camera battery, charger and all other chargers for your phone, tab, etc.
- DON’T forget a fancy envelope if you plan to give the couple cash.
- DO carry your ID proofs and passport if needed.
- DO carry a nice big clutch that will hold all your essentials at the functions.
The great part about destination weddings is, they are double the fun and triple the madness. Hope we haven’t forgotten anything in our list. Feel free to add your points or send us a post card when you’re off attending one.