How to Pamper your Out-of-Town Guests

Q. Many of our guests will be spending the entire weekend in our town for our wedding. How can we make sure our friends and family will be relaxed and comfortable on the days before and after the wedding, while my groom and I will be busy with last minute wedding preparations?

A. There are a number of ways you can pamper those traveling near and far for your wedding. The most popular choice this season is to offer them a personalized gift bag. These simple gestures are a great way to let your closest friends and family know how much you appreciate the time, money and energy they sacrificed to attend your big day. From the moment your guests arrive you can create this memorable WOW experience! Choose to have this special gift available to guests upon check in at the hotel or display them on the vanity or nightstand of each hotel room, welcoming them to your city and your wedding weekend.

Personalize them specific to you, the bride and groom!

Ideas that sizzle!
These are a few of my favorite things. Including these items in your gift bags have proven to be some useful essentials. Custom labeled water bottles, snacks and homemade goodies, breath mints or gum, a packet of tissues for your "tears of joy." Tuck in an area map and you're good to go with The Basics.

To take it a step further, include our local favorites such as chocolates from The South Bend Chocolate Company, Notre Dame maps to tour the campus, Brochures from The College Football Hall of Fame, Studebaker Museum, Center for History and so on. You can arrange campus or museum tours ahead of time if you wish. Places to go, things to do, and other area attractions can be summed up in a publication called, "Around the Bend."

Finally, if you really want an over-the-top experience you can include:
Wine bottles with a label you've customized, a favor that represents a taste of what's to come in the days ahead, t-shirts with your logo or souvenirs of the area. Slippers, bubble bath, candles. This list has endless possibilities.

Recently, I worked with a couple-both Notre Dame Alumni. We included a campus map highlighting the dorm they stayed, the place he proposed, the places they liked to hang out, the infamous Grotto and so on. It was really a hit among guests. Take it a step further and make a game out of it. Treat it as a scavenger hunt with baskets of "treasures" at each stop. Any ideas to make your wedding just a little different from the rest will leave guests with lasting memories.

These bags can be as clever and "swanky" as you want them to be! Establish your style, color and creativity that introduces your guests to the theme you've chosen. Using a monogram? Print the design on the outside of the bag. Colors bright and bold? Add metallic tissue or shred that boasts this excitement.

Most of all, remember to finish it off with a personal note from you and the groom. A handwritten note is most appreciated, but a pre-printed tag that says, Welcome! We're so glad you're celebrating with us!" is also a great touch.