The best thing you can do for your out-of-town guests is make it easy for them to make travel plans, then make it easy for them to get around once they're in town. This means letting them know your wedding date as soon as possible so they can make flight arrangements, making sure they know which hotels are convenient to your wedding sites (reserve a block of rooms at a group rate), and making rental-car info available before they arrive. Why not put a welcome basket in each guest room -- include fruit, crackers, bottled water, bubble bath, and any goodies you please. Put directions to your ceremony and reception sites in each basket, along with a list of important telephone numbers like yours and your parents'. Some couples even include a list of other guests staying in the hotel, and their room numbers.

If you're inviting many out-of-towners who will arrive the day before your wedding and you're having your rehearsal dinner that day, you and the hosts (often the parents of the groom) might consider inviting them to the dinner; however, this is not mandatory. Do make sure that if guests will be in town for a while and will have free time that you supply them with tourist info (or at least a list of great attractions and restaurants you think they'd like). You may even choose to plan a barbecue, pool party, softball game, or post-wedding brunch; ask your parents and other local relatives and friends whether they'd be interested in helping with or hosting one of these events.

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