Just call me the wedding planner. "Wedding planning" sort of like "having a baby" is a subject that for those involved, they can just not get enough input on. The internet is teaming with "expert" advice on such topics. The advice can be so voluminous you can find advise down to the very selection and placement of silverware set upon the advised linen type/color sitting upon the suggested table shape with corresponding height…
Point is, lots of advise on planning a wedding out there! What there is not so much advice on, are basic tips in regards to the group of people that will be traveling to your wedding from out of state- your long distance wedding "groople" (GROup+peOPLE). In this domain, I have some nifty tips for you.
First, we want to get the maximum number of people you want to come, to come. Some of these people will be long distance travelers and are less likely to make the journey. We want to see these people! Our solution is simple, maximize their reasons for coming. Make coming to your wedding not just going to a very special one hour affair, make it a 2-3 day wedding event (wedding +).
There are lots of ways to do this. It can start in small ways like the word choice you use for your correspondence with your guests- make it all sound BIG. The most effective way is to plan a 2-3 day weekend for those traveling a long distance (and those close by). Two days before the wedding, plan a group bonding trip to the art museum, or a ball game. The night before the wedding, make sure everybody knows the importance of the rehearsal dinner and how they’re a VIP at it. By the time the wedding comes along it is no longer just the main event, but a grand finale to a terrific weekend experience.
You’ll also want to encourage everybody who can, to stay together at the same hotel. It builds a certain camaraderie that cannot be substituted for. This leads us straight to my most important piece of advise-
Streamline any and all details you can!
Through delegation and simplification get rid of the detail minutia! One detail neither a friend nor a wedding planner likely has expertise in, is group hotel planning. Use Groople. Groople is free and will take care of all things related to the travel of your long distance guests.
Lastly, make sure you get an accurate RSVP list. Really press people on whether they are planning to attend. Far too often people RSVP an d do not show up. Do not spend money on entertaining the air. You will be charged the same amount of money from all the vendors involved if the people show up or not! The people in the wedding industry have never even heard of the word "refund". Right before your event, do a second confirmation of your guests, a double RSVP!
And then live happily ever after.
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