Needing suggestions for helping bridal party with paying for destination wedding costs.?

What about this: book the hotels for them, then make up your own little brochure telling them all about where they're staying- the area, attractions, the hotel itself, etc... and then mail it to each of them. What I'm trying to figure out is the food thing, how to make that happen without actually having to be there with cash or a card in hand every time they eat. Maybe cover all meals at the hotel? They could just charge everything to your room. Other than that, you may have to give a check or cash. You could give each member of the party a pre-determined amount to cover food or whatever else it is they would like to spend it on. Maybe the hotel has gift cards? I am so not clever, sorry I can't be of more help. If I come up with anything better I'll edit.

Oh, and by the way- I think it's awesome you're helping with the costs. People oftentimes don't think about the stress that comes with being in a bridal party.

Why does it have to be "clever"? In a situation like this, it's WAY more important to be clear and informative than it is to be "clever." People need to know exactly what they're getting into when they agree to be in a destination wedding.

Approach them about being in the wedding, and say, "I would love for you to join us at our wedding. I will pay for your hotel room for # nights and I will pay for # meals. You would be responsible for any additional costs beyond that. Plus the cost of your dress/tux - we will talk with the whole bridal party and pick attire that's within everyone's budget. What do you say?"

Only say this if you are 100% prepared to call the hotel at that moment and pay for their accommodations/meals in full. DO NOT just figure that you can save up the cash to pay it off later, because you never know what'll happen.

I get that you want to surprise them with this, but really, it's of vital importance that you let them know what's going on ASAP. If their acceptance of your invitation to be in the bridal party depends on finances, then it's very important that you inform them from the beginning that you can cover their expenses. You don't want them to work their butts off to save money or forego luxuries for themselves in order to save up, only to find out on the wedding day that you had already paid for them months ago.

If you truly cannot live without cutesying this up in some fashion, then give them a nice card or take them out to lunch when you tell them this.

You mean, like a clever way to raise money or a clever way to, like, hand the desk clerk a check for the rooms? Because there are loads of ways to save/raise money. I suppose you could dress up in a clown suit or something to hand over the cost of the rooms to the hotel but they probably won't care one way or another. Are you giving money directly to your wedding party and then they're paying for the rooms? Then, I suppose a card might be ok.

I guess you can say that this is what you're chipping in and hand them a giant novelty check or something. I know you don't want to hear it, but hotels just want to be paid for the rooms they rent and don't really want to be involved in, like, wedding hoopla.

Why does it need to be clever? Whatever feelings they have about the matter are feelings that they will have no matter how you go about it.

It's a money related thing. Don't dick about. Be very clear about what is happening and when. Make sure you tell them both verbally and in writing so that everyone gets the exact same info.

I do not think this calls for something clever. Money is serious. Expenses are serious. You also don't want people thinking that you are trying to make a big deal about it and make yourself look like their savior or something. It should be low key and straight forward.