Far and Away

What can you do to include a special out of town guest in your wedding day?


You wanted your college roommate to be one of your bridesmaids, but she lives too far away to make it practical. Your Great Aunt lives in Halifax and is flying in for the wedding, but you're sad that she couldn't be at your shower or your rehearsal dinner. What can you do to include them in your special day?

There are many ways to show people how much you care about them when a wedding is at hand! Even on the very day of the special event, you will have dozens of things that need to be checked and completed.

The bride needs a good friend around when she has her makeup and hair done. Usually the whole bridal party goes to the salon together, so why not offer your college friend the chance to have her hair or makeup done as well? Or just ask her along for moral support. She will feel very "included".

Once the flowers have arrived, they need to be handed out, pinned on, and attached. Giving someone a list and a kiss on the cheek along with your request will make them feel as though they have saved the day.

Decorating your vehicles is another way you can make them feel involved. This seems simple, but takes quite a bit of time, so the more help the better, especially if there are many cars to get ready. Even extra drivers on the morning of the wedding to shuttle the vehicles to the car wash can be a big help!

If your venue needs decorating, be sure to have them help with that! Ask them to hand out the bubbles to blow, or to cuddle up with the ring bearer to keep him calm (Grandmas are very good at this)!

Have the friend or relative stand up with your ushers at the church and hand out service programs, or simply greet relatives they haven't seen in a long while. They will always have warm memories of a happy ceremony.

You could ask someone "crafty" if they could prepare you a personalized wedding album for the many snapshots your guests will be taking for you. An ordinary photo album can look terrific dressed with fabric in your wedding colours and a bit of lace. Have them take a few instant photos or print a couple digital photos to put in the front of it and put the book on display at the reception to show people how wonderful it is. This will be something your guest will be pleased to prepare and bring on the plane, knowing how you will treasure it.

Ask the person (long before they arrive in town) if they would honour you by saying Grace at your wedding dinner. If Grace is being done by someone else, ask them to make a speech or toast.

Obviously, a simple way to acknowledge special people is to have someone include a mention of them in their speeches. "And we thank everyone from out of town for joining us today. The prize for the longest (or latest, or most cramped, or most overbooked) flight goes to Uncle Joe…who by the way, also cooks up the meanest trout fillets this side of the St. Lawrence! Give us a wave Uncle Joe ..."

Many times the parents of the bride seem to be in charge of taking home gifts and any money boxes and so on. Ask a trusted relative to organize this task, and arrange for the safe transport in someone's car. It gives them a sense of involvement, and also takes some of the burden off Mom and Dad!

If you're having a get-together the following day, or a gift opening, then ask Auntie Martha to make her famous oatmeal loaf and bring it along.

What else do you have to accomplish? There are always tasks to be completed, and good memories to create. If you want to include someone in the preparations for your special event, then go ahead! They will love it, and so will you.



Best wishes,

Kathy

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