If you’re planning a wedding, make sure it’s as guest friendly as possible. After all, you don’t want your guests to be uncomfortable or unhappy! Here are seven different ways to ensure that your wedding is a success for everyone involved.
1. Serve a Variety of Refreshments
Serving refreshments is an easy way to make your wedding more guest friendly. Providing a variety of drinks, including options for those who don’t consume alcohol, shows consideration for individual preferences and dietary restrictions. Offerings such as appetizers or finger foods can also keep guests from getting too hungry during the festivities. By providing refreshments, you can ensure that your wedding will be a pleasant experience for all your guests.
2. Provide Plenty of Seating
Provide plenty of seating options throughout the venue. This means having enough chairs set up at each table during the reception and offering comfortable seating in any outdoor spaces or designated relaxation areas. This can include lounge furniture, benches, cushions on the ground, or even blankets and pillows for a more casual setting. This setup makes it easier for guests to take breaks and mingle with one another and sets a welcoming and inclusive tone for your event.
3. Make Room
Another key aspect to consider is making sure your guests have enough room to enjoy themselves. This means having sufficient space for dancing and mingling, as well as areas for sitting or taking breaks from the festivities. Many couples choose to have a designated dance floor or arrange tables and chairs in an open layout to allow for easy movement.
4. Plan Fun Activities
Set up a photo booth with props for guests to take fun pictures and organize lawn games such as cornhole or giant Jenga. You can also hire a band or DJ for some live music. This gives guests something to do during downtime in the reception and creates opportunities for them to socialize and have fun. So don’t forget to incorporate some enjoyable elements into your wedding reception—your guests will thank you.
5. Provide Thorough Details
When planning your wedding, it can be easy to focus solely on the celebration itself and forget about practical things like transportation and parking. However, providing clear instructions to your guests ahead of time can make a huge difference in their experience at your wedding. As the host, it is important to ensure that your guests have a smooth journey to and from the wedding. Taking care of these details ahead of time will make for a more guest-friendly event.
6. Offer Discounted Hotel Rooms
Offer discounted rates on nearby hotel rooms for out-of-town attendees. This will be appreciated by those traveling from far away and can alleviate the stress and expense of finding accommodations. It may even encourage some local guests to stay overnight, allowing them to fully enjoy the festivities without worrying about driving home after a few drinks. In addition, offering discounted hotel rooms can benefit both parties; travelers save money on accommodations, and the hotels fill up their rooms during what could potentially be a slow season.
7. Send a Thank-You Card
Sending a personalized thank-you note is a gesture that shows you appreciate your guests’ presence and effort in attending your special day. It can also serve as a reminder of the wedding for them in the future. Consider giving out small trinkets such as personalized keychains or postcards, or handwrite each guest a personal note expressing your gratitude. Whatever you choose, this thoughtful touch will be appreciated by your guests and make them feel appreciated and valued at or after your wedding.
Hosting a wedding can be a lot of work, but following these tips will help make it more enjoyable for you and your guests. By serving a variety of refreshments, providing plenty of seating, and planning fun activities, you can ensure that everyone has a good time. And don’t forget to send out thank-you gifts or notes after the wedding!
