What to Avoid to Keep Wedding Guests Happy

As soon as you plan more than an elopement or courthouse ceremony, a wedding becomes about more than you and you future spouse. Of course your love for each other will be the focal point of the day, but any event has to also be about the experience of your guests.

You want your wedding to be the best day of your life, but you also want your friends and family to enjoy themselves too, right? Now, everyone has different taste and we’re certainly not implying you should make decisions about décor based on guest preferences, but there are aspects of the day that greatly affect your attendees, and it’s important to be cognizant of that.

Below are our tips that highlight what to avoid, and why certain features will lessen the overall experience of your nearest and dearest. 

- Invitations: Do not include your registry information – save it for the wedding website. Assuming you choose to have everyone RSVP the old-fashioned way, be sure to include a stamp on the return envelope. The price of a stamp may be a drop in the bucket compared to what your guests will spend on your big day, but it’s the principle of the matter.
- Wedding Dates: Saturday may be more expensive, but it is infinitely more convenient for the vast majority of your attendees. A Friday night or Sunday morning ceremony is acceptable if most people are local to the site of your nuptials.
- Timing: A large gap between your ceremony and reception leaves your loved ones with very little to do. Yes, you should allow time for transportation, but your cocktail hour should be more than adequate as a buffer.
- Dinner: Service should be swift for sit-down dinners, and a buffet should be thoroughly organized so people do not suffer through long waits. On a simple note, keep toasts to a minimum, and make sure those speaking know to make it quick.
- Entertainment: It is common knowledge that a bad band or DJ can spoil an evening, but the performance dances are important as well. A poor song choice or awkward moves can make for an uncomfortable few minutes for everyone involved. Be sure to practice!

Go above and beyond as a host by making your guests as comfortable as possible, but don't sacrifice your vision – balance your guests' needs with your own.

Opening photo by Mi Belle Photographers; Consulting by Mindy Weiss Party Consultants; Rentals by Revelry Event Designers