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26  A l a s k a B r i d e & G r o o m  2024Make sure to care for the special people you’ve invited to celebrate your joy – even long before they arrive at your ceremony. Here are some ways to welcome your wedding guests, help them feel comfortable and show them how much you appreciate their presence. Give plenty of notice. As soon as you set a date for the wedding, send out save-the-date cards to let guests know the details. These announcement cards can be fun or formal — just make sure you include the major details such as a date and the location (or, if you haven’t booked your venue yet, include the city). This advance notice gives guests a chance to get time off from work and free up their schedule, especially if travel is involved. Set up your wedding website right away. A wedding website will help you include all of the important information about your wedding (date, time, location, travel details) on your site. Having all those wedding details in one place will benefit both you and your guests – and it may cut down on the number of phone calls and questions you’ll receive. Also, setting up an online RSVP on your wedding website means more of your guests will respond on time (vs snail mail) − win! Book hotel room blocks. If you’re hosting a lot of outof-towners, offer to help them find lodging. By reserving a block of rooms at a hotel or two, you’re saving your guests the time of searching for an appropriate nearby hotel and you may save them some money, as well. Most hotels will negotiate a discounted group rate for the guests, like a percentage off or a flat fee. It’s always best to give guests different rate options, so opt for two or more hotels in a few price ranges. Create a registry − even if you don't want one. Even if you don’t want one, it’s still recommended that couples set up a wedding registry of some sort. Your guests will want to buy you gifts, so why not tell them what items you’d like to receive. It will make your loved ones’ lives much easier – and save you the headache of returning things you don’t want.Provide transportation – as the budget allows. If you’re able to provide transportation between guests’ hotels and your venue site, especially for out-of-town guests, it will bring a major sigh of relief from your loved ones. They won’t have to worry about getting lost, finding parking, and yes, drinking and driving. It’s safe and convenient, and your guests will be grateful.Give them welcome baskets. If your guests are traveling from afar to your wedding location, they’re likely arrive at their hotel tired, hungry and perhaps a little cranky. Being greeted with a welcome basket (or bag) will be an instant pick-me-up. No need to be elaborate – just a simple bottled water, a locally made treat or two, and a note thanking your guests for making the trip will be a nice touch. Have some guest comfort stations. Keep your guests comfortable all day with convenient guest stations. These stations can include anything your guests might want or need. Here’s a list of essentials to consider: sunscreen, warm blankets, pre-packaged snacks, tissues, handy wipes, bug spray, spray-on sunscreen, cold water bottles, umbrellas, etc. Or offer up a basket of flip-flops (in your wedding colors, of course) so guests can kick their shoes off. It’s the little things. Details like providing a cold drink before a summer ceremony, offering umbrellas if it’s raining, displaying signage to point guests toward the restrooms, providing enough seats for the ceremony – these may seem like small things, but they will make a big impact when it comes to showing you care. Give them a taste of Alaska. Treat your out-of-town guests to the local flavors like grilled Alaska salmon or halibut, king crab dip, locally brewed beer and blueberry wine. Send them home with personalized jars of local jam or chocolate-covered blueberries. Special Waysto Welcome Your Wedding Guests