Important things to remember for out-of-towners

One of the most charming aspect of your wedding is how loved ones come together from the four corners of the world to celebrate you and your fiancé. Your guests are investing their time and money to be there for you so its important to make them feel appreciated and taken care for. By adding a few thoughtful details to your wedding festivities, you can return the favor and make your out-of-towners feel like VIPs.

You can start making your guests feel appreciated even before they arrive in town by reserving a block of rooms at a local hotel. Many hotels offer reduced group rates. If you limit your choices to three neighboring hotels (one high-end, one moderately priced, and a budget option), then larger groups of guests can conveniently meet and mingle. When recommending accommodations to your guests, consider choosing a hotel that will arrange a hospitality room that you can stock with snacks and beverages. That way, out-of-towners can gather and get to know one another before the wedding.

The ever-so-popular gift basket is another way you can personalize a special gift for your wedding attendees. Consider gift baskets stocked with wine, water, snacks and local goodies to give your guests a taste of the area. Call the hotel ahead of time to work out with the front desk or concierge the best way to get the gifts into your guests' rooms before they arrive, as well as when you should drop them off.

For those of your guests who will be traveling from afar and are planning to do some sightseeing while in town for your wedding its always nice to get them started on the right foot. You can help by providing: directions to local attractions, menus from local restaurants, a list of taxi and car services (including phone numbers), brochures for local amusements, maps and guides for local public transportation, directions to the nearest same-day dry cleaners (accidents happen) and driving instructions from hotel to wedding location and back again. At our wedding my mother-in-law asked the local Chamber of Commerce to send brochures of area attractions to our visiting guests so they can plan their activities during their stay.

Welcome gifts are a wonderful way to extend a special thank-you to your out-of-towners who have traveled long distances to join you on your big day. With a little extra time and energy, you'll not only be able to help your guests find comfortable lodging, but pull together a nice welcome gift that brings a smile to your travelers' faces.