Getting It All Home

Similar to the feeling of buying two carts full of groceries – only to realize your car is packed from ceiling to floor with your brother's furniture and mom's craft table – the thought of how you're going to get everything home after your destination wedding is a thought you only seem to have after the fact.

As you try to shove gallons of milk between the legs of the craft table, you silently scold yourself and wonder how you could have been so stupid.

Well, now is your chance to make up for overlooking your overstuffed trunk. Plan ahead for how you can take home the gifts you receive or souvenirs you buy during your destination wedding. Here are a few ways you can plan to get all your spoils back home after the festivities end!

Ship It

If you can't fit everything in your suitcase, you can always look into finding cheap international shipping rates and have your items sent back to wait for you at your house. And, with the price airlines charge for baggage, cheap shipping might actually be a better option. Be sure to only choose a reliable and well-known shipping company, as they'll be transporting your treasured wedding gifts! Start planning early in finding shipping options, just in case any hiccups occur and you have to change your shipping provider, or the shipment gets cancelled.

Send It Back with Friends and Family

Most people will probably bring gifts to your shower instead of the wedding, so you probably won't have too much to get home. If possible, ask close friends or family members to take a gift back with them if they have the space to do so. It's much easier for a few people to each take one gift than for you to take them all!

Use It

If you receive disposable gifts like food, chocolate, shower or bath gels, or other items you can use up immediately, it might be wise to use some of it at the destination itself. If you're planning to honeymoon in the destination afterward, you'll have a while to get some of these items used up, which means you'll have less to take back!

Leave It

Lastly, you could just leave all of your wedding gifts at the destination for someone else to use! With all the selfishness in this world, doing something for someone else is always a good idea.

I'm kidding. Don't do that.

Let guests know that if they want to give you a gift, it would be better to leave it in the States at your home or apartment, or with a family member. They could drop it off before you leave, or you could also pick it up when you get back. If you're planning to move into a new house, you could leave a key with your parents to your new place and then have them unlock it for guests to leave their items to await your return. You'll have a nice surprise waiting for you when you come home!

With these few tips, you'll have no problem avoiding the dilemma of how to get your waffle maker or air popper home after the wedding. Plan ahead if need be and enjoy your wedding (and gifts) worry free!