Long known as the bride’s day, a wedding is an event that brings guests together from far and near. These days, that can mean much further than just across state lines. Some friends and family jet in from clear across the map! For these reasons and others, many brides like to make their wedding a weekend event, full of local color and pre-planned activities, which might last from Thursday to Sunday. What better way to bring all of your friends and family together and get to know each other than weekend events in your hometown?

Another reflection of you and your style, these events can give your guests a peek into your lives here. And, since many people have not spent a great deal of time up here on the upper left coast, give them the option to make this special weekend of yours more than just a stopover; they can make it a mini vacation!

With a bounty of attractions to satisfy even the most eccentric of tastes, the Pacific Northwest reels in folks with its fresh air, picturesque views, mouthwatering seafood, world class wines, and sports from rock climbing to
hiking, from fishing to wind surfing! Your guests will appreciate your thoughtfulness! And, think about it …. wouldn’t you have been impressed if someone had thought about this for you?

One approach to prepping guests is to put together a post save-the-date/pre-invitation packet that highlights these features, as well as a handful of engaging things to see and do in Portland and the surrounding area. Get started by factoring in some key elements: What season will it be? What kind of weather can be expected? How many days will the wedding festivities last?

Next, think of a handful of events that might intrigue your guests to realize that this wedding weekend of yours might just be a great place to visit! Thinking way beyond the typical welcome cocktail party and the post wedding brunch the following day, some couples are creating actual organized events. Do you have several people coming who might be avid golfers? The Northwest has some beautiful golf courses. Plan a golf tournament. This is a great way for guests to get acquainted! Appoint someone to handle the arrangements and tee times. The winner can be announced during the reception. Did someone say wine? Several transportation companies in town would love to escort interested guests on an afternoon wine tour. Don’t forget, we have some of the best Pinot Noir in the world! Does anyone ski? Timberline Lodge is close by and offers year round winter sports! And, just down the road is the Oregon Coast. Who wouldn’t want to sail out to sea for a whale watching adventure?

Again, think of the local transportation companies or enlist the help of friends that might be interested to host one of these special parties or to ferry guests around town. Let folks know ahead of time what the transportation for these events will entail. You know your friends. There might be that perfect host just waiting for you to ask him to do something like this!

You can start collecting ideas and gather some brochures to entice them! Put together a packet of information with a schedule, including your wedding as one of the events. Next, generate some excitement by sending out the news of your weekend events months in advance. Let guests know that this is going to be a weekend full of lots of fun things for all to enjoy …. a weekend they won’t soon forget! With all of this extra thought, you may just get a lot more guests than you had originally anticipated!

If you are planning to have your own wedding web site, all of this information can be included on there. Chock-full of directions, descriptions and links about wedding festivities as well as places to stay, shop, dine or roam while they are here, a wedding web site keeps guests in the real-time know. But, keep in mind, any activity you include on the web site will be read by all and should be for anyone to attend. For instance, a rehearsal dinner is not usually for one and all. For those events, send out a separate invitation. But, for letting your guests know about your wedding, your town, and the fun things you have planned for anyone coming for the weekend, it is a great place to put all of that information.

Lastly, even if you don’t want to go to the extent of having organized events for the weekend, it’s always thoughtful to think of your guests and thank them for coming. A welcome basket placed ahead of time in their hotel room is a nice gesture. These needn’t be expensive or extravagant. A pretty gift bag (in your wedding colors of course!) can be filled with things from the Northwest. How about some crackers and cheese, a couple of pretty apples, a bag of hazelnuts, Talking Rain Water in bottles, or even some smoked salmon. Don’t forget to include a walking map, the MAX schedule, and a nice note from you, thanking them for coming. They will appreciate your thoughtfulness and get a little taste of Portland at the same time!

Courtesy Marilyn Storch / Owner www.portlandweddingplanner.com