Wedding Planning • 10/11/2018
What Your Out-of-Town Wedding Guests Really Want
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Whether you’re throwing a destination wedding or having people visiting from other areas, you need to make your out-of-town wedding guests feel welcome. Though you’ll probably be busy getting ready, your out-of-town wedding guests will appreciate you making sure they have a good experience. After all, they’re traveling just for you, so why not make it special? It’s easy to make your visitors feel welcome. Here are five things your traveling guests want when they come to your out-of-town wedding.
Somewhere to Stay
Traveling can be stressful, especially for guests who don’t get out much. Anything you can do to ease their burden will be greatly appreciated. One of the best things you can do to help your guests is to assist them in finding accommodation. Check with hotels in the area before the wedding to ask about reserving blocks of rooms. Once you’ve selected a few hotels near the wedding venue, you can pass the options on to your guests. Make sure your guests know to reserve a room early. You don’t want anyone scrambling to find a motel at the last minute.
To Feel Welcome
After traveling a long distance, your guests might be tired. Don’t expect them to start the festivities right away. Give your out-of-town wedding guests a little time to relax and recuperate at the hotel. You can make guests feel extra comfortable by providing each of them with welcome bags at check-in. Feel free to include some of your favorite local snacks, a drink, or a small souvenir. You don’t have to go crazy with your welcome bags, but a small treat will show visitors you appreciate them.
To See the Town
If you have a lot of guests coming to your wedding, it’s likely they’ll want to see the town. Though you might not be able to spend every second being their tour guide, you can provide them with all the information they need. Provide guests with maps and brochures for attractions in the area — you can include them in their welcome bags. You can also add a personalized touch by creating a list of local places you and your partner love, including your favorite restaurants and cafes. Your guests will appreciate getting to know a little about your lives at the same time they get to know the area. By creating a wedding website, you can present all this information in one convenient spot for your guests.
Things to Do
Though you’ll likely be busy getting ready for your wedding, your out-of-town guests might not know what to do with their free time. It’s always nice to provide guests with a few options for events to attend. To keep your guests entertained before the wedding begins, consider hosting a cocktail party or arranging an activity you can all do together.
To Spend Time With You
Ultimately, your out-of-town wedding guests take the time to travel to support you and your partner. What they want most of all is to spend time with you. Though the days leading up to your wedding may be busy, make sure to set aside a little time to spend with your visiting guests. If you need an opportunity to get together, consider holding a casual brunch or cocktail party the day after the wedding. People can come and go as they please, and you can walk around and say hello to everyone. You can also send them off with a warm goodbye.
By this point, the stress of the wedding will be over, and you’ll be able to enjoy time with your guests. Your out-of-town guests are happy to be there for you. With just a few simple considerations, you can make traveling for your wedding comfortable and fun for all your guests.
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