Hosting guests is a major part of most weddings and couples often find themselves wondering what needs to be done to ensure the best possible experience for everyone. Providing that experience can be tricky, but here are 5 helpful tips to encourage guests to have a great time on your wedding day that will surely leave them with lasting memories.
Make Sure Guests Know What to Expect
This is a highly important aspect in making sure your big day is enjoyable to guests, especially out-of-town guests. As a downtown Sioux Falls wedding venue, we often get asked questions about what guests should be prepared for because of the environment. This includes anything from parking to where people should accomodate themselves. Make sure guests know both of these. The Museum is more than willing to send you a map of available parking and hotels in the area. Prior to the event itself, make sure the invitations outline what you need from your guests. For example, nothing is more awkward than someone bringing a plus one that wasn't invited. Make it clear through your invitations what you’re expecting. A good idea is to write the names of the guests you think they might bring on the invite and have them check the names off for RSVPs. Make sure it's obvious whether or not guests can bring a plus one. Also, be sure to ask guests if they have any food allegies or dietary restrictions so that you don't run into any wrong expectatons on the wedding day. Next, a day-of timeline is important and should be fairly accurate so that everyone is on the same page with timing. Nobody wants to wait two hours longer than expected for dinner. Lastly, it's good to help guests potentially prepare for the weather. If you are having a July wedding (although it might be obvious), make sure to mention to dress appropriately as it will get warm. And, with a large amount of people in the same room, it can get warm within the venue. If guests are prepared for the temperature, it won’t seem as bad. One idea to combat hot weather is to double the programs as usable fans.
Share the Love
Have out-of-town guests? You can surprise them with welcome baskets at their hotel. This is a great way to accommodate guests with a few essentials they might need leading up to your big day and can be relatively inexpensive. Even if it's only some bottled water, snacks, and a note, guests will be happy you put the thought into the gesture. At the reception, you can also send guests home with a souviner to leave a lasting impression.
A Theme to Remember
Don't forget to tailor your wedding theme to yourselves, as guests will likely remember the unique aspects of your wedding and how that refelcted your personality as a couple. Don't be afraid to get away from the cookie cutter traditional, and try something that better fits who you are.
What’s Fun?
This is a tough question to answer and so difficult to explain to couples. The key is knowing your crowd and there is no wedding proffessional that will know your crowd better than you do. Not everyone will be pleased or have a great time and, yes, guests will leave early. If you spend the whole night worrying about pleasing everyone, you’ll probably please no one. If you have a mostly quiet crowd, your ceremony/reception might be more intimate. Whereas a loud crowd might call for a party atmosphere. However, at the end of the day, our last tip is the best to ensuring the night is a success.
Celebrate Your Marriage
This one is plain and simple. The one thing all of your guests have in common is that they came to celebrate your marriage. If you can get people emotionally invested into that relationship and cause for celebration, then there is no doubt that guests will at least be happy they came to share this moment with you. You can do this by adding those personal touches and allowing guests to learn about you as a couple.