The Out of Towners

In this day and age, I know very few people who have all of their friends and family in the same state, let alone the same city. That means a great many of your guests will have to travel to participate in your wedding festivities. For those willing to make the trek, it is your duty as hosts to make them feel welcome and cared for over the weekend. So, let's talk welcome/gift bags. The wedding experience begins once your guests check into the hotel. What better way to make them feel at home than with a few key essentials?

The basics include bottled water, light snacks and an itinerary. Be sure to personalize your goodies to reflect the locale as well as your wedding. For example, if you're planning a beach wedding don't forget the sunscreen, a beach towel and a listing of the resort's attractions.

If the city is your destination, don't forget a great map, a list of must-see attractions and restaurants as well as something for which the city is famously known.
Examples:
Napa Valley - Wine (personalized labels, of course)
New York - Subway tokens, Red Delicious apples, too many great restaurants to list
DC - Guides to the monuments, White House tour schedule
Las Vegas - Locations of the largest casinos, $10 in chips and a variety of show schedules

Another important consideration for your out-of-towners is hotel recommendations. Suggest a happening property with a great lounge for the young, single crowd in their 20s and 30s. Offer more stately, quiet properties for your parents, grandparents and older guests. But most importantly, be sure to make travelers feel special by giving them special 1-on-1 attention. You may also want to create a website listing the details of your wedding. Be sure to include hotel/airline/transportation tidbits, the weekend's events as well as any other necessary information. If you're web-savvy, you could set up online rsvp! (Your planner may offer this service for a small fee.) Until tomorrow!