As with every social event, there is a certain etiquette involved; and hosting out-of-town wedding guests for your big day is certainly no exception to the rule. We have a few tips for making your out of town guests feel more welcome as they celebrate your wedding.
Welcome gift bags
These gift bags should be ready and waiting for guests as they arrive from their journey to the chosen accommodation and can be as costly/budget-friendly as your finances allow. Typically, the bags include; a snack such as chocolates, some basic toiletries, which guests may have forgotten to pack for the wedding event, a keepsake of the day, and also some essentials such as an itinerary of the wedding events, a list of places of interest in the area if guests have some leisurely time on their hands, and most importantly, directions to the venue. The actual cost that goes into the contents of the bag is not that big of an issue as guests would more so appreciate the personal touch offered and the creativeness required. These gift bags are designed to welcome guests who have travelled a long way and may be feeling tired, hungry and out of their comfort zone.
Rehearsal dinner
It is a tradition to host a rehearsal dinner prior to the wedding day, but unless you have the budget to stretch beyond feeding immediate family and close friends, politely alert people beforehand to nearby restaurants and bars if they wish to dine out, giving a list of options to suit each and every price range.
Accommodation for guests
The same rule applies to arranging lodgings for your out-of-town wedding guests. You’d certainly be lucky to have a home large enough to house each of your wedding party. So if space is a problem, look to find alternative accommodation. As the rule of tradition goes, the bride and groom are automatically expected to cough up the majority of the money to accommodate their guests, yet it is not always feasible! If you are not in the position to be so financially generous, state this fact to guests from the get go. Also, suggest various hotels in the nearby area which are comfortable, affordable, close to the wedding reception, airports etc.
The final thank you
A post-wedding brunch provided by the bride and groom is not only a really lovely gesture of thank you for witnessing a very important day for the couple, but it’s also very much needed to cure the many hangovers concurred from the night before! If the newlyweds have already taken off on their romantic and well-deserved honeymoon, the job of hostess dutifully falls to the chief bridesmaid or the parents who are expected to oversee the event.
- Michelle Storey
Image credits: Couple kissing: Love Knot Photography | Table: Kayla Barker Fine Art Photography | Venue: Castle Leslie | Thank you card: Meghan Sepe Weddings