Like we said.. planning a far-off wedding is an exciting challenge, but it can be tricky to keep in touch with your guests. Travel logistics to accommodations, making sure your friends and family are informed means smooth sailing for all parties involved. This is how to inform your guests about an out of town wedding in the right manner.
Announce Your Plans Early
Your guests should be notified as early as you can, when planning an out-of-state wedding.
Save-the-Date: 8-12 months in advance It will provide your guests with plenty of time to plan and budget for travel.
Digital Announcement: If you are more concerned about the announcement being done in a relatively quick manner, think digital such as through an email or private social media group.
An early touchpoint enables guests to reserve their dates and make necessary adjustments.
Create a Wedding Website
Considering the travel and planning that goes into an out of state wedding, a wedding website is really just another tool to help you organise and share your guest with all the details.
What to Include:
Wedding Venue Information: Info on the name of venue, address and perhaps a map.
Travel Details: Provide the closest airports, information about renting cars, and how to get around using public transportation.
Lodging: List hotels with block pricing, if applicable.
Local Attractions: Local attractions or activities can keep guests entertained if they want to explore the area.
RSVP Ability: Let guests RSVP via the website
This way, ambiguity can be avoided while everyone stays on the same page.
Send out Requests for Invitations with Particulars
Read also: How To Write 2020 Wedding Invites Detailed & Straight To The Point
Key Information to Include:
- Date and time of the wedding.
- Full address of the venue.
- Attire (especially if the venue requires certain attire)
- Last Date for Response and other Information.
To help guests out further with planning, offer an insert detailing transportation and other accommodation options.
Offer travel and accommodation solutions
If a friend has invited you to his or her destination wedding, planning trips can be intimidating for guests, maybe even in unfamiliar territory.
Group Deals: Talk to the hotels or airlines about group rates and pass them onto your guests.
Travel Tips: Share information on how to travel, what to expect in terms of weather and local customs or any considerations/logistical challenges.
Transportation: If appropriate, coordinate transportation from the hotel to guarantee a seamless experience between the two special locations.
Leverage Digital Channels of Communication
Use digital tools to make sure your guests always have an updated source of information.
Email updates: Periodic email updates with new information or reminders
Private Facebook / WhatsApp Groups: Use private facebook or whatsapp groups to answer queries and share updates with customers instantly
Countdown Alerts: Post a few silly countdown posts to get your guests excited and ready for the big day.
Be Transparent About Costs
Knowing the average cost of attending your wedding is something guests will be grateful for.
Ways to Handle This:
Pay upfront for shared accommodation.
If your celebration includes excursions or group meals, state clearly if these are included, or if there is an additional cost.
Offer affordable accommodation or transportation
Transparent costing enables guests to make sound decisions on whether or not they want herbal butter moonshine oil infused margarita.
Offer Personalized Support
Some guests may require a little more help organising their journey.
Travel Concierge: Guide a family member or your wedding planner to serve as a travel concierge for any questions/concerns.
Q&A Pages: If you have a wedding website create an FAQ page that answers common questions.
Contact Information: Give a phone number or email address for personal assistance.
Your guests can use this very personal touch so that they feel valued and perhaps a little bit of support.
Host Pre Wedding Events
Help out-of-town guests feel a part of the celebration early with pre-wedding events.
Welcome dinner: organise a casual welcome dinner to meet other guests and get the conversation going.
Guided Tour: Do a local tour or group activity to promote the destination.
Rehearsal Dinner: You can invite out-of-town guests to the rehearsal dinner as a way of making them feel included.
These experiences are worth remembering and make the travel worthy for your guests.
Plan an Agenda for the Wedding Weekend
An itinerary keeps everyone on the same page about what is happening over the course of the weekend.
What to Include:
- Event times and locations.
- Transportation details.
- Other emergency contact information.
- Provide a printed copy, as well as an emailed itinerary on their arrival.
Express Gratitude
Making your guests travel to an out-of-state wedding usually requires extra work and money.
Thank You Cards: These can be personalised with pictures from the wedding and they are perfect to send out after the big day.
Welcome Bags: Fill welcome bags with a few local goodies, maps, and a note expressing thanks for travelling to celebrate with you.
This compliment helps your guest feel like they matter.
Conclusion
Telling guests about your out-of-state wedding takes some pleasing organisation, transparency, and a little bit of personalization. A hassle-free and smooth experience is what you must offer in a hospitality environment, which you can achieve by guiding your guests through timely updates, straightforward instructions, and support with foresight. Remember that the point is to instil excitement and confidence in your loved ones when it comes to celebrating your special day, wherever it may be!
These steps help you to set the groundwork for a great, unforgettable out-of-state wedding.
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