What to Consider for Out of Town Wedding Guests: Plans and Logistics

Everyone has family or life-long friends that they know will be traveling long distances to celebrate their wedding. Here’s what to consider for out of town wedding guests to ensure they have an easy time during their travels.

Lodging for Your Wedding Guests

Guests appreciate simplicity, so choose 1-2 hotels as options for their weekend stay. If you’re getting married at a hotel, use them for group block rates for your guests. If your venue is not a hotel, choose a nearby resort that’s convenient for guests.

When you tell the hotel how many rooms you want to reserve, underestimate the number of out of town guests so that you can avoid possible fees. It’s great to ensure guests get a lower rate as part of your block, but you don’t want to be charged for unused rooms. be sure to ask about this when speaking with the hotel.

Advance Recommendations for Your Guests

Consider transportation options for your guests. Make a list of car rental companies near the airport for guests who are flying in to town or suggest Lyft. It’s important to arrange transportation in advance to avoid extra stress while traveling.

For weekend activities, think of places that you and your significant other enjoy. That could be local attractions, activities, and delicious restaurants. For our own wedding, we included iconic San Diego activities, as well as golf and shopping opportunities. If possible, try to give recommendations near the venue or hotel they may be staying at.

A Welcome Gift

Your guests will probably had a long day of traveling. Imagine how special they’ll feel to enter their hotel room door and see a special gift from you. It could be a small bouquet of flowers, wine, or a bag of goodies for the weekend.

Your wedding guests are making an extra effort to attend your wedding by traveling. They’ll appreciate the small touches to make them feel welcomed. You can print out a list of fun things to do in their free time and the itinerary of the planned events for the weekend to accompany the welcome gift.