11 Ways To Look After Your Wedding Guests

How To Make Your Guests Feel Extra Special On Your Wedding Day

When you are planning your wedding, the last thing you want to do is worry about your guests and whether they are going to enjoy themselves. Here are ways in which to ensure everyone has the best day ever and feel a valued guest:-

Give them clear instructions on invitations

Its key to give your guests concise information about your hopes and dreams for your big day. So if you want particular attire, then let them know. Tell them when you want them to arrive, where to go, where the parking is; in other words as much information as possible. This will make their life easier so they dont have to second guess.

Consider creating a wedding website which holds that information, which can be organically updated - its one place to go to!

Clear communication On the Day

Ideally you will have booked an experienced wedding planner, or on the day wedding coordinator, to ensure all the suppliers are working in sync as well as looking after your guests too.  They will ensure everyone is in the right place at the right time, so no worries that Auntie Betty will miss you cutting the cake! Whether your Wedding Planner provides your MC duties or you hire a professional toastmaster, they will make those all important announcements so everyone can hear and encouraged to move!

Have a Quiet Place to Recharge and get Changed

Weddings can be full on, and some of your guests will appreciate an area which is quiet. This is particularly important for guests who have learning disabilities. Of course, a place for guests to get changed for the evening is always useful.

Little Thank Yous

Wedding favours have become a tradition but you dont have to spend a fortune on them. Why not consider baking your own biscuits and popping them on the wedding table? Having goodie bags that include a piece of your wedding cake or flowers from the table are always a firm favourite.

Or why not give useful gifts such as fans, umbrellas or even bottles of sun cream dotted around the venue? Dont forget plasters in the ladies bathrooms!

If you wanna read whether wedding favours are a thing of the past, or other ideas on what you could provide as small thank you for attending gifts, click here

Make a plan for food allergies or special diets

Its important to find out from all your guests if they have special dietary requirements or any allergens, and let your caterer and wedding planner know. I recall a certain wedding where one of the guests had severe allergies and I was on hand with his epi-pen at the ready (just in case)!

Try not to have those guests with dietary requests such as veggies or vegans to have to be served first as the caterer thought it good idea to 'get them done first', or be named and shamed; no one wants to feel awkward. (of course though its common sense to label ingredients on buffet table ie vegan brownies)

Food is an important aspect during any wedding, so consider your caterer wisely. Think about the style you want ie formal or easy going buffet help yourself style that suit your preference and what your guests would feel more comfortable with.

Don’t forget to Mention their presence within your ceremony

Nowadays you have so many options as to who is going to conduct your wedding service (and who doesnt love choice when it comes to having a personal wedding ceremony?) Asking your officiant to make reference of thanking everyone for attending the ceremony will make it special and your guests will feel involved in your ceremony.

Do something Special for the Kids

Children at weddings bring so much joy, but they do get bored quickly. So consider during the ceremony having colouring left on their seats (or you could include the children within the ceremony - unity sand ritual is always a firm favourite). During the day why not have an area designed for childrens' play, you can even have wedding childminders which can give the parents a few minutes to themselves!

When planning your catering menu, remember to think about what kids will want to eat during your wedding breakfast, or during the evening. (Ive seen children hide under the wedding breakfast table because they didnt like the beautifully prepared beef dish they were given resulting in arguments with the parents and said children who were adamant to stay under the tablecloth!)

You might want to consider having a sweets table or even ice cream trolley that children can help themselves during the day.

Wedding Planning can be Stressful, but so can Wedding Days too!

Weddings are all about love and life, and many families encounter challenges in their dynamics or relationships. Consider your seating plan carefully! 

Plan a Few Surprises for the Adults!

Depending on your tone and style for your day, there are many activities you could include such as Photo Booths, Quiz during your wedding breakfast, asking them to request music for the band or dj, having puzzle table whereby every guest writes their name and message on back of each piece and pops it into the basket (then you can create your very own wedding jigsaw at home!) or have games on the lawn such as croquet or jenga.

Between the wedding breakfast and the evening party, why not have a cocktail hour and have your signature drinks ready for your guests to enjoy? (Alcohol and non alcohol varieties!)

And later on during the evening, everyone can get on the dance floor with your band or dj.

Late Night Snacks

Dont forget the late night snacks from pizza, bacon rolls, hot dogs, cheeseboard for example (after all, by that time everyone will need to replenish all those calories from the dancing!)

Finish on a Bang!

An unexpected firework or sparkler element at the end of the evening, will bound to leave your guests on a high. Remember to mention to your photographer that you have arranged this!

Conclusion

Of course wedding days are all about the wedding couple. But if you want your guests to be talking about your big day for all the right reasons, remember in the planning stage to give careful thought how you want your day to look and FEEL.

Hope you found my top 11 tips helpful :) sharing my love as always Amanda-Louise x