Tip:
Make your Out-of-town Guests Feel at Home—what a thought! Your
Out-of-town Guests spend an extreme amount of money to fly, drive,
bus or train here to be with you; as well as hotel accommodations
and meals out—and maybe even baby-sitting; not to mention buying
you a Wedding Gift; just to share this most memorable day with you.
Making them feel welcome and special is the least you can do.
How can we welcome our out-of-town guests and make them feel at
home while we are so overwhelmed with last-minute wedding details?
There are really a number of things you can do to make them feel
cared for and special.
RESEARCH
HOTELS—Find two to three hotels with good reputations in different
price ranges. Make sure to find accommodation information about
properties in different price categories in order to be sensitive
to the needs of all of your out-of-town guests. Try to negotiate
a group rate with one or more hotels if you can. Reserve a block
of rooms at each and send the hotel information to all out-of-town
guests along with your save-the-date cards or invitations. If necessary,
you may include it in a separate mailing.
Out-of-town guests will appreciate the convenience of staying at
a property close to the ceremony and reception sites. To find appropriate
local accommodations, check local magazines, contact the convention
and visitor's bureau, search on-line for properties and request
referrals from family and friends. Blocking rooms is simply asking
the hotel to set aside a certain number of rooms from the general
inventory for your guests. You are not reserving rooms and should
not have to pay anything. As with anything else, be sure to check
and double check that these rooms are reserved and at what price.
Be aware that most hotels will release the rooms anywhere from
one week to one month prior to the wedding, so make sure your guests
know this information. Even if you don't negotiate a group rate
for a hotel, be sure to make a hotel suggestion to your out-of-town
guests. Encouraging guests to stay in the same hotel benefits both
you and your guests. It's easier for you to locate someone if everyone
is staying in the same place; people can coordinate transportation
to your wedding and parties, and spend time together at the hotel.
If the budget permits, reserve a hospitality suite for out-of-town
guests at the main property where guests will stay then organize
a small welcome reception.
Another nice touch is to provide guests with the name of the concierge
or other contact person at the property who they can contact if
they need any assistance during their stays. Also, if your budget
permits, you can also stay at the property and use a suite as everyone's
base. They can go to this room anytime and find someone there to
greet them. Snacks and drinks can be on hand to make them feel at
home. Being with friends and family all weekend can be such a joy.
Make sure to view our site next month for additional information.
As always, have fun, stay organized and keep smiling!!!
