Chances are there will be guests coming to your wedding that live hours away.

While you are not obligated to pay for any of their extra expenses, it's nice to

help as much as you can with travel arrangements and to make their stay as

comfortable as possible. Here are a few ideas for the thoughtful bride:

• Research hotels in your area. Find two with good reputations and

  different price ranges. If you know there will be many guests needing

  overnight accommodations, then reserve a block of rooms at each and send the

  hotel information with your invitations. By reserving the rooms in bulk, you

  might also get your guests a less expensive rate.
  

   

• Send out a wedding newsletter early on. Create a newsletter

  letting them know the date of your wedding, as well as any other travel

  information that may be helpful. By informing them as early as possible,

  your guests can find cheaper airfare.
  

   

• Provide them with rental car information for those traveling by

  air. If you can afford it, arrange to have a car service pick them up at the

  airport. It's a nice way to welcome them.
  

   

• Provide them with transportation to and from the wedding. This is

  a really nice gesture for your out-of-town guests that don't know their way

  around your city or town. It is also good for any elderly guests that might

  have trouble driving. A mini-bus or van can be rented for the day and you

  can ask a friend to be the chauffer.
  

   

• Place gift baskets in their room before they arrive. Include

  food, candy, any local "delicacies", bottle of wine or mineral water,

  tourist information, map and a special thank you from the bride and groom.
  

   

• Consider inviting them to the rehearsal dinner. Another popular

  idea is having an out-of-town brunch the day after your wedding, before you

  go on your honeymoon.