Does Your Wedding Guest List Include Out of Town Guests?
If out of town guests are on your wedding guest list, there are a few more steps and expenses involved than for local guests.
This does not mean you should omit anyone who has to travel and only invite locals to your wedding, but it might mean you don’t invite a group of friends from work in order to have your favorite aunt at the wedding.
Here’s what you need to consider when inviting out of town guests to your wedding:
You will need to negotiate a group rate at a hotel. If you are actually having your wedding at a hotel, you have some negotiating power, but be mindful that if that hotel is expensive, you may also need to negotiate a group rate at a more affordable hotel. Post the details on your wedding web site, or on an info card in the invitation.
For certain guests, you may want to pick up the room charge if it is a financial hardship for them to attend your wedding.
If your guests are not renting cars, you will need to coordinate transportation to and from the airport to the hotel. If they are renting a car, you’ll need to provide them with directions.
You will need to make sure that your guests have transportation to the church, reception and back to the hotel, as well as back to the airport. You can do this either by paying for it yourself, or by asking friends and family to help transport them.
You should have a welcome gift/ room amenity put in your guest’s hotel room. For example, a basket with wine and cheese and maps and info on local sights.
If guests arrive before the day of the rehearsal, you will need to plan a welcoming cocktail hour, casual BBQ, or dinner party for your guests. The wedding should not be the first time they see you. Many couples with a significant number of out of town guests plan additional weekend outings and activities.
You should invite your out of town guests to the wedding rehearsal dinner; don’t leave them holed up in their hotel room with nothing to do. If the groom’s family is picking up the dinner tab, arrange to cover the guests’ costs ahead of time.
Plan a post wedding farewell breakfast or brunch to say goodbye to your out of town guests.
Keep all this in mind when making or revising your budget and making additions and cuts to your wedding guest list.
The Ultimate Budget Bride: Lisa Spooner saved almost 90% on her wedding, now she helps others save big money on their weddings.
