We’re headed into one the busiest traveling times of the year. It is a good time to take notes about travel and your wedding plans. As you board planes, trains and automobiles, keep your out-of-town guests in mind or yourself if you’re planning a destination wedding!

Some wedding travel tips to consider:

• Is your wedding date near a major holiday? (By the way, CNN.com has a great section on holiday travel articles!)
• Will a convention or other similar event taking place in your town at the same time?
• If weather becomes a factor, will you have a “Plan B” for guests?
• If you’re a guest, do you have a Plan B in case something goes awry with your travel plans?
• Think like a guest! On your way back from holiday travel, realize your guests may be taking similar routes to your hometown. Keep an eye out for ways to make getting in to town easier.

If you are the one traveling either as a guest or wedding party member the number one piece of advice I can give you is take your time. That is, take your time by giving yourself time and lots of it.

Here’s how to manage your travel schedule:

• Arrive early for flights. Up to 45 minutes early is not an unusual timeframe these days given the post-9/11 security issues and the crush of holiday travel. Do not expect to waltz up 10 minutes before departure and be able to board.
• If you are checking bags, put a copy of your itinerary, name, address & phone inside your bag in case they are misplaced during transit.
• Picking up and dropping off guests? Check the security ahead of time and be sure you know if you are allowed in the terminal or must wait outside. Have cell phone numbers handy in case of gate changes, flight delays, etc.
• Don’t forget to check for conditions at the airport itself. They usually have an information channel on your local radio airways or an information only telephone number.
• If you’re driving – remember gas prices are likely to spike during holiday travel.
• Drivers should try to plan out their routes in advance. Even if you have a GPS system, be sure you’ve updated it and check with local sources for alternate routes. TomTom may be great but even the most advanced GPS can’t beat your local source for ways around known trouble spots or bottlenecks.
• My pick for this post’s coolest link found? A handy little site at the FAA – Flight Delay Information.

As you and your guests make travel arrangements be on the lookout for special pricing! For example, American Airlines has a wedding package with special rates available!

WeddingChannel.com has a great article full of tips for traveling guests. See their
Out-of-Town Weddings: A Guide For Guests. They also have a section on taking care of and welcoming your out of town guests. Read through a couple of these travel idea and advice articles for some helpful tips.

One last idea – plan for flexibility! It’s one thing to have all your ducks in a row, but be sure to have a few ideas in reserve in case one of those ducks turns out to be a goose!