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| Everlasting Last Detail Blog |
Ways to make out of town guests feel welcome:
- Save the Date card - About six month before the wedding will be a good time to send them a save the date card, providing all the information they need to plan their travels. Clearly include the date, time and location of the ceremony and reception. Some hotel recommendations will also be helpful. Some hotels will block rooms for your guests.
- Invitation - Should be send out between 6 to 8 weeks before the wedding date. A paper map for a single location may seem unnecessary and wasteful. But when you want to tell your guests about the neighborhood (great restaurants for lunch, the best place to park, sites that are of a particular interest to you), an edited map can be a charming addition.
- Website - Post directions to the ceremony, reception, hotels guests will be staying at, as well as suggestions to local attractions and activities information on your site. If your out of town guests misplace their invitation in their travels, they have all their need in your wedding website. Be clear about wedding activities, so guests can plan their time accordingly. You can also ask them if they need transportation to or from the airport so you can make arrangements for them.
- Provide welcome bags - After a long trip, your guests will feel welcome with a welcome bag. Leave the bags at the hotel front desk and ask the staff to give one to each one of your guests as they arrive.
- Host pre-wedding gatherings - they will probably arrive a few days before the wedding. You may want to provide a social activity to allow everyone to get to know each other before the wedding.
- Include out of town guest in the ceremony - They will feel special and useful if they are part of the celebration is some way. They can distribute programs, do a reading, seat guests, or provide music.
- Include out of town guest in the reception - Consider seating arrangement, making sure they have someone to sit with. Make them feel especially welcome giving them special attention at the reception. Make sure the band will play a tune that relates to their home town or just themselves or a special touch that will make them feel included and make their trip memorable. And don't forget to thank all your guest for coming. Thank them in your wedding speech and be sure to include a very special thank you in the thank you card.
It requires time and resources to make all these suggestions happen at your wedding, but your out of town guests will surely appreciate the attentions. Remember the sacrifices that they are making, and enjoy how much these people love you to desire to travel to be with you in such a special day.
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