Put out the wedding welcome mat for your out of town guests.
Out of town guests make wedding matters more tricky. There are rooms to block, transportation to book, directions to give and gift bags to stuff. It seems like there are more wedding weekend travelers than ever.
Start Early
Sending Save the Date cards is the best way to let guests know they will need to plan ahead. It's most considerate to send those out six to eight months before the big day. The information should be kept simple - include your names, the wedding date and place, a wedding website URL - if you have one, and hotel information.
Block Rooms Strategically
When choosing a hotel to recommend to guests, always keep in mind location, price, and special features. A location near both the ceremony and reception will make it easier for guests to get around. Guests will appreciate it if you block rooms at a discounted rate. Contracts vary from hotel to hotel so go over the details before you sign. In some cases, a credit card deposit may be required, and there may be a deadline for booking rooms (usually about four weeks in advance).
Consider a Shuttle
If you have room in your budget, hire a bus to shuttle guests from the hotel to the wedding and back. It provides a designated driver - plus, party buses can be fun. Have flip-flops for tired feet, bottled water, mints, and aspirin on the bus - guests will appreciate your thoughtfulness.
Don't Overdo it
It's customary to invite everyone coming from afar to the rehearsal dinner - and sometimes to a next-day brunch - if financially feasible. Take good care of your guests, but don't feel guilty if you can't afford to wine and dine them all weekend long.
Gift Giving
Guest will appreciate a little basket or bag of treats to help them feel welcome.
- Comfort and Care: Bottled water, fruit and other convenient snacks should satisfy their just-arrived cravings. Throw in some bubble bath and soft slippers too!
- City-Centric: Getting married in the big city? Provide bus or rail route info, a map, a guidebook and some locally sourced treats
- Beachy Keen: For a beach wedding, fill a colorful sand pail with flip-flops, sunscreen, and a gift card for ice cream on the boardwalk.
- Morning Glory: A bagel, juice, pain reliever, and the newspaper will make the morning after enjoyable.
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