Hotel and Travel Accommodations
It's almost certain that at least a few of your guests will be traveling to the wedding from out of town. Some couples pay for out-of-town guests' transportation and lodging, but this is entirely up to you.
Travel expenses may include not only the airfare and hotel, but also the taxi, shuttle, or rental-car charges. It is a nice gesture and a good way to ensure your loved ones will be able to be there for your day, but it is expensive, especially for a couple on a strict budget. Fortunately, there are many ways for you to lessen the financial impact on your guests.
At the very least, provide your guests with the names and phone numbers of local hotels, motels, airlines, and transportation companies. This is a helpful money- and time-saving service that your guests will appreciate.
Hotel Rates
Whether you choose to pay for all of their expenses or not, you still need to provide your guests with information and options. You can arrange for special hotel rates for your wedding party, especially if you are using a particular hotel for your reception.
Select a place that is close to the ceremony and reception sites, and call to reserve a block of rooms at a reduced price. Ask whether the hotel will honor the discounted rate for guests who want to extend their visit a few days before or after the wedding.
Make certain the wedding party and other guests know they must ask for the special rate by requesting the “Smith wedding party rate.” Some hotels make it easy on you and your guests, creating a personalized Web site for you that your guests can visit to book hotel rooms directly.
Alert
Don't forget that an experienced travel agent can be a good resource for you and your guests. Be sure to inquire about hotel, airfare, or rental-car discounts if you have an auto club or other membership that offers discounts for travelers.
Plan B
Be aware that while a hotel may be a wonderful location for your reception, its rooms might be pricey for some of your guests, especially if the week of your wedding is during peak season.
Have a few alternate choices you can offer those who need information on a place to stay. If you haven't visited these lodgings, ask friends or coworkers about them so you can save time checking them out personally. Some hotel reservation sites enable you to take a virtual tour of their rooms without leaving your home computer.
Alert
American Airlines offers special discounts for wedding guests. If ten or more guests fly American Airlines to get to your wedding, they are eligible for a 5-percent savings on the lowest applicable airfare if you sign up for the discount.
Airfare Tips
Don't be in airfare denial — sometimes the longer you wait, the steeper the price. Airfares might zoom astronomically during certain times of the year — or seats might be totally unavailable.
Remind guests to tie down their airline reservations. No one needs to pay extra because they waited to make reservations and your city hosted the NBA Finals the week of your wedding!
Rental Cars
Many of the large rental-car companies offer group discounts to wedding guests. Getting discounted rates for your guests might require a little effort on your end, but it's a welcome break to offer your guests. Go to the rental car Web site and submit a customer-service query or call the customer service number. You will receive a discount code to pass along to your guests. The discount varies depending on which size vehicle each guest reserves.
