Tips for Saving Out of Town Wedding Guests Money10:37AM / Monday, July 09, 2007
When planning a wedding, it’s important to keep your guests’ finances in mind, especially the ones who are traveling from out of town. The cost of traveling and attending a wedding can be significant, but there are some small steps you can take to make your guests’ stay easier on them and their pocketbook.
“Weddings are an exciting time for everyone. When preparing for a wedding, out of town guests can feel overwhelmed, but the happy couple can take steps to make participating in the wedding easy and affordable,” says Jenny Heger, account manager for AmericInn. “I’ve worked with couples planning weddings before and planning ahead shows your guests you care.”
Here are some thoughts to ease travel costs for out of town wedding guests:
* Hotel
Choose an affordable hotel located near the site of the wedding or reception. Guests will then have an easy time finding their way to the big event. Guests are sure to appreciate amenities included in their stay, such as pool use, a complimentary breakfast and free Internet access. A hotel is also a refuge from all the wedding activities and can be a place of relaxation. Make sure the one you choose is quiet and well managed. For example, AmericInn hotels are built with AmericInn SoundGuard construction, which reduces sounds and vibrations.
* Dining
Eating is something that can be fun when your guests travel to a new town, but as they flip through the local directory they might be overwhelmed by the large number of options. One useful item for out of town guests is a list of local restaurants that you enjoy including a general description of food and menu prices. Choose low to mid level restaurants and consider providing coupons to any local favorites. As a thank you gift, you could even provide a small gift certificate to help with the bill and show your appreciation to them for traveling to your wedding.
* Transportation
Providing out of town guests with numbers to rental companies can help save them time and frustration. Some companies give coupons for groups traveling to a celebration, so consider talking to the company prior to the event. And don’t forget about public transportation! Providing bus, cab, train and subway information can save time and money for guests.
* Activities
Traveling for a wedding is in fact a vacation, so guests might want to enjoy some other activities in your area. Why not make a list of fun and interesting activities so they can get a true sense of your hometown? Free parks and museums provide some of the best of local culture and are budget friendly.
* Keeping it Close
After coming all the way to your wedding, guests don’t want to have to travel all around town, potentially getting lost. When choosing a hotel and suggesting restaurants and activities, try to keep these locations relatively close. Sometimes a simple walk through town to a local café is the perfect option.
“Providing affordable ideas and suggestions can go a long way for many guests who are stuck with choosing whether to come to an important family event and maybe not being able to afford it. These ideas not only show you care, but ensure everyone is able to participate in your big day,” adds Heger.
For more information about AmericInn hotels, visit www.americinn.com/ara.
Courtesy of ARA content |
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