It's still two days before your wedding and those long-lost relatives from far-flung locations arrive in preparation for the big day
You may consider doing the following:
- Pick them up from the airport, armed with fresh flowers and several chilled bottles of water
- Put them to work. They can make themselves useful with some last-minute chores
- Scream! The last thing you need is more people to take care of
The answer, of course, is none of the above. OK, so they've travelled a long way and you want them to have a good time, but you're busy! Don't panic. Ensuring that your out-of-towners are comfortable can be achieved by simply assembling some nicely-presented baskets full of everything they'll need, to be waiting in each of their hotel rooms.
Things you might want to include:
- A map of the area.
- Chocolate, fruit, water and any local specialties, such as a box of Cornish fudge!
- Contact numbers for you, your fiance, the church and the reception site, or your wedding coordinator (if you don't have a wedding coordinator, consider providing details for the maid of honour or Best Man).
- A schedule of events, including pre-wedding parties and directions to all sites.
- A gift certificate for a local coffee shop, cinema or ice cream shop.
- A mini-medical kit including bandages, antacids, cold medicine and pain relievers.
- A travel-sized game or a deck of cards.
- Directions to the nearest petrol station, supermarket and chemist.
- A list of who's who in the wedding party and how you know them. Since many distant relatives and faraway friends probably won't know your wedding party very well, reading about them will make them feel more involved.
- Any item that ties into the theme of the wedding, such as a beach towel for a beach wedding.
- A note thanking them for travelling so far to be a part of your day.