Show Them the Town
Ivette Manners
If you’ve invited a lot of out-of-town guests to your nuptials, your duty as the gracious hostess begins even before they’ve arrived. Today, more and more weddings have turned into long weekend affairs with loads of fun activities scheduled for the honored guests.
Although your wedding itself will definitely be the highlight of their trip, the outings you schedule will make it more memorable. Here, we offer tips and ideas to help you organize a fun-packed weekend for your out-of-town guests with ease.
“First, you’ll want to send out wonderful Save the Date cards,” says Sofia Crokos of Sofia Crokos Events. This announces the date, location, and accommodations for your guests. You can also list a few activity ideas they can take care of in advance in case they want to extend their weekend stay. Once they’ve arrived, supply them with a list and details of all the events and outings you’ve planned and arranged for them during the weekend. “You’ll
want your guests to feel like they are being taken care of right from the start,” says Crokos.
Do your research. Whether your wedding is in the Hamptons or in New York City, you should think about your favorite things to do in either location, and then look into what you can arrange for your guests that weekend. There are great things to do in the Hamptons, such as golfing, sail boating, and incredible dining. While the boys are out on the links, take the girls for a day at a spa. How about setting up a day trip to a vineyard for wine tasting on the North Fork of Long Island? There are several wonderful vineyards on Long Island. Consider visits to amazingly beautiful gardens and mansions on Long Island’s Gold Coast. Most towns on the Island offer fine dining in quaint, local restaurants.
If you want to plan something more cosmopolitan for your friends and family, look to the other island – the island of Manhattan, that is. Of course, New York City offers a world of fabulous things to do. Plan a night on the town with dinner and a show, which is an experience no one should leave New York without. There is always a great show or play going on, so you can have your pick of anything from an off-Broadway play to a Lincoln Center concert or ballet. Check out http://www.broadway.com/ to buy tickets and for information on performances. Packed with restaurants, bars, lounges, and clubs – many owned by celebrity chefs, as well as celebrities themselves – New York is a Mecca for fine dining and nightlife. Plan a late-night dinner, dancing, or drinks with your out-of-town guests and bridal party. Websites like www.zagat.com and http://www.citysearch.com/ are great resources to find restaurants and bars.
Add some culture to your weekend by arranging a tour or visit at one of the plentiful museums in the City. For the shopaholics in your group, give them a list of the must-hit boutiques on Madison and Fifth Avenue, as well as in Soho. Be sure to clue them in on the best flea markets, antiques shops, and specialty stores. Better yet, arrange a shopping day with a bridal stylist who will take your guests to all the hot spots in a private car. Many include a lunch or tea during the shopping trip. Providing tickets for a bus tour is a fun and considerate detail. They’ll love zipping up and down the New York City streets and neighborhoods on top of a double-decker bus.
Use the time of year to your advantage. If you’re getting married during the holidays, you can arrange loads of jolly activities, such as seeing the Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center or the Christmas show at Radio City Music Hall. If you’re getting married in the fall, you can go on a pumpkin-picking excursion.
Don’t forget to arrange transportation for the outings, whether it be a chauffer-driven bus, van, limo, or SUV. This will make getting your guests to and from the outing easier, as well as adding a nice touch. You’ll leave everyone impressed and they will be buzzing about your wedding for years.