If you're having guests travel from outside Calgary to partake in your wedding festivities, here are so simple tips to make their trip more enjoyable:

1. Room Blocks - Call hotels at least 6 months in advance and book a room block for your guests. This guarantees a special rate for your guest until 4-6 weeks before the wedding. You will not be required to put any money down to do this. Guests can be forwarded this information on your wedding website, via email or even in an insert in your save-the-dates or wedding invitations. The hotel will release the rooms into regular inventory 4-6 weeks before your date, so ensure guests know to book by a certain date.

2. Out-of-town guest bags - These do not need to be expensive. Things like a map of the downtown area, coupons to the Calgary Zoo or Calgary tower and a few yummy treats are a nice way to say thank you to your guests for traveling from far away. Pick up a case of bottled water, some chips and a few other snacks from places such as Costco or Superstore, and put them in a simple gift bag. Deliver them to the hotel and ask them to put them in their room before they arrive. Everyone loves getting special treats! (Did you know Cornerstone Events will shop and put these together for you in their full service wedding planning package?)

3. Visit Calgary Tourism - Calgary Tourism will give you FREE guides to the city of Calgary and surrounding area. In these guides there is visitor travel tips, maps, attractions, dining, shopping guides and so much more! It even includes a great "If you've got just one day" article which gives guests a great list of things to do in just one day to take in some of the great attractions our city has to offer.

4. Welcome Reception - If time and money permit, consider having a little cocktail party for your out of town guests. This can be just as simple as a backyard get together, or a party at the hotel they are staying in. Just another little way to say thanks to them.