Five Ways To Ensure Your Out-Of-Town Wedding Guests Feel At Home In Your City…
Over the years we have loved welcoming out-of-town wedding guests to Plymouth. There is something so exciting about sharing a new city and a new life in one weekend! The smell of perfume and aftershave linger in the lift and the outfits are always on-point, stylish and super chic.
But what happens when your wedding guests don’t just live down the road? How do you welcome them and ensure they have a great time while you’re busy getting wedding ready?
We share 5 of our top tips on how to enable your guests to feel at home…
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1) It’s all in the detail…
Your out-of-town guests will go through a lot of effort, and probably expense to share in your momentous occasion. And they wouldn’t have it any other way. Part of your job though is to welcome them, but that’s easier said than done when you have so much to do before your special day.
To help them get around and ensure they stay entertained during their time in your home town a great tip is to create a wedding itinerary. After sending out your invitations, mail guests an additional clever, elegant or interesting ‘communiquè’ with a complete rundown of the events leading up to and following your walk down the aisle, with tips on what to do in spare time. We love hearing that couples have created a Facebook Wedding Group, or even websites! These are easily referenced one-stop-platforms for guests to check up on everything you have planned. In both cases, include key times, locations, who is hosting, what to wear and how to get there – then get them to tag in any pictures so you don’t miss out on all the fun that the guests have!
2) Welcome Hampers…
We adored the ‘welcome hampers’ left in the apartments for the arrival of a couples out-of-town friends. It was all things Plymouth and really aided their recovery from the long drive down South!
The purpose isn’t to show off or spend loads of money; home made cake or brownies would be perfect. It’s just nice to let guests know you appreciate their effort to join you for your special day.
The hampers that were left with us apparently had phone numbers of the families of the bride and groom, the names of the other guests staying in the apartments with a ‘they said call them when you arrive’ message, nearby hot spots to check out and local maps and transport details. The tear-jerker for this family travelling down was a penned personal note from the bride; thanking her sister and family for making the journey.
Mid-week weddings at the New Continental Hotel, from just £1500 per package.
3) Help Them With Their Home-From-Home…
Overnight accommodations, fuel and transport in general isn’t cheap, so doing some of the leg work for your guests, using your local knowledge, will really help them.
Hunt out important details, like train and coach times and prices, hotels and apartments. Share websites, street addresses, phone numbers, directions and cost information with your guests and even go as far as to take a look around them so you can make personal recommendations.
Look for places to stay near your ceremony and reception sites, if you start calling around six months beforehand to check on availability for the days surrounding your wedding. Always ask about group rates too. Some settings will allow you to block rooms and apartments to ensure they are available and close to one another. Always ask.
Keeping an idea of your guests budget too; and always plan for those guests that may want to make a min-vacation out of your special day.
4) Show Off Your City…
Leading up to your big day, you will have lots to do and time will whizz by! But your out-of-town guests may feel a little stranded. To ensure they have plenty of literature and information visit your Tourist Information Centre and ask for a local pack of things to do, places to go and wheres good to eat. When we live in a city we tend not to ‘tourist’ very well. This way you too may find out some handy information, things for you to do once you’re married!
Make your wedding day extra special at the New Continental Hotel, Plymouth.
5) Enjoy Them…
It may sound daft, but enjoy their company. What better reason to see loved ones than them coming to celebrate with you. Soak in their love, their time and their presence. This is your day and they are beaming that they could make the journey to share it with you.
