Your wedding should be about you and your significant other and showcase your own preferences. Your wedding guests, on the other hand, will be a large number of additional individuals who will have travelled and spent money to be there for your special day, so it is crucial to consider their comfort and satisfaction. Of course, it's pretty much impossible to try and satisfy 100 or more people. So how can you focus on the wedding specifics that matter to your guests? You're in luck, though, because we polled almost 1,000 guests to find out what they truly pay attention to at weddings (and what they could care less about). Their responses might surprise you.
It's constantly reiterated to you while you're planning a wedding that it should be "all about you" and that it's your "special day." Most of the time, this is accurate. You want to be certain that all of your decisions will make you pleased because it is your wedding day. It's crucial to remember your guests, many of whom travel great distances, arrange childcare, take time off work, and spend a lot of money to be a part of this big day while you're busy checking off all of your must-haves.
Even while the majority of wedding guests don't really pay attention to every tiny detail, some of them do. Here are a few easy strategies you can use to ensure your guests are comfortable and pleased without compromising the wedding of your dreams.
Couples have heard the phrases "It's your day!" and "Today is all about you!" for years. While this is generally true, you still need to remember your visitors. In addition to reflecting on you as a couple, you want your wedding to showcase your skills as gracious hosts. Let's face it; to join you in celebrating your special day, family and friends frequently travel great distances and invest a lot of time and money. The majority of your visitors won't notice all the little things you spent so much time worrying about, but certain things truly do matter!
The Most Important Factors For Wedding Guests To Consider
When & Where
Your friends and family, whether they're coming from across town or across the nation, will want as much advance notice as possible so that they can schedule time off work, book flights, and make other arrangements (such as for childcare) as necessary. With Fridays and Sundays quickly overtaking Saturdays as the most popular day for weddings, and even some couples doing ceremonies throughout the week, it is helpful for guests to have a heads up on when the big day will be if they want to be sure they can make it. Check out our extensive list of Wedding Photographers in Melbourne to help capture your special moments.
The location of the venue (or venues) is of interest to potential attendees because they may need to arrange for transportation to and from the event. When deciding which hotels to block off for guests, it's a good idea to consider a range of prices.
It's important to let visitors know if the wedding will be held in a church or elsewhere and what kind of setting it will be. A big part of their ease comes from knowing what kind of footwear and clothing and even how tough it could be to reach it.
Registry
Many of the engaged couples we know are dreading having to create a wedding registry. They may be combining households or may already share a residence, in either case leaving little room for furniture or decorations. Guests at your wedding would probably appreciate being able to shop from an online register for gifts they know you'll love. This way, they can be sure you'll enjoy the gift, and they won't have to lug it across the country to your wedding.
Another standard instruction is to "select a decent mix" of items from a register. Having a mix of larger, more expensive gifts and numerous smaller, more affordable gifts provides visitors plenty of options, especially if they wish to go in on a gift with other individuals.
Seating
Open seating is becoming more fashionable at wedding receptions, and it is causing a lot of dissatisfaction among wedding guests. We're not suggesting that you designate exact seating using place cards, but escort cards or seating charts that assign attendees to a specific table put them at ease. Open seating causes the individuals you care about to be among the last to arrive at the reception, with no chairs distributed throughout the room. This is a poor idea, believe us!
Cocktail Hour
Timing is especially important during cocktail hour. For most visitors, going on for an hour and a half truly dragged out the proceedings. This frequently occurs as a result of uncontrollably spinning wedding images, so be honest with your photographer about how much you can actually achieve. A lengthy cocktail hour not only causes boredom and the need to locate a seat, but it also typically results in the food running out, leaving the wedding guests hungry and too drunk.
Timing
When planning a wedding reception for the evening, it's important to consider how much time there will be between the ceremony and the reception if it takes place earlier in the day. If the only time that works for the ceremony is in the morning, you might always have a brunch reception afterwards.
To keep your out-of-town guests occupied during the afternoon, consider arranging a city tour or hospitality suite. Guests may decide to skip the ceremony and show up just at the reception if they feel it is too far apart.
The punctuality of services is a major concern for guests. Guests will be dissatisfied if your wedding begins late or if you list an earlier start time than usual to account for latecomers. Make sure you get to the ceremony on time by allowing plenty of time in the morning of the wedding for hair, makeup, pictures, and travel.
Parking
The most frequently mentioned "need to know" remarks from guests concern parking and transit. They want to know if they need to reserve a car in advance or if they can Uber or Lyft to the event and back to the hotel. The most important gift you can give your family and friends when drinking is to splurge and offer free transportation.
Food & Drink
The timing of most wedding receptions gives the impression that guests will be served food. One of the most common suggestions from visitors is to provide more food options during cocktail hour. There isn't usually much time for lunch before the cocktail hour between travelling, getting ready, and arriving at the wedding.
Even though open bars are becoming more common at weddings, many guests are still anxious about the alcohol service. Many individuals these days don't carry cash, so if the nearest ATM is a significant distance away, let your guests know.
Entertainment
Wedding guests will rarely recall the finer points of your wedding and décor, but they will remember how much fun they had. Choosing a fantastic DJ or band will not go overlooked. Everyone will recall a full dance floor and a desire for the night to finish. Looking for a wedding photographer in Melbourne? Look no further. Brighton Savoy has compiled an ultimate list of Melbourne wedding photographers to help you choose.
The Newlyweds
Wedding guests travel from all over the country to celebrate your special day because they adore and care about you. They understand that there are many people who want a piece of your time. Surprisingly, seeing the couple present, happy, and having a good time is towards the top of the list of things wedding guests want.
During cocktail hour, one of the nicest ideas we've seen is to sneak out to a separate area with a table for two to enjoy your first course and some alone time. This assures that you will be able to eat and take some fantastic intimate wedding photos. While your guests are enjoying their first course, the two of you can go around greeting everyone and thanking them individually for attending.
Don't let this list intimidate you! Simply being aware of your guests' priorities can result in a much happier wedding day.
The Music
A party with lousy music is pretty much guaranteed to be a bad party. Whether you choose a live band or a DJ, it is important to do your homework and find the best possible professionals to work your event. Listen to their music (live, if possible), discuss break schedules and song selections, and create a do-not-play playlist together. If you put your faith in us, we can help you find the perfect music to complement your celebration.
The Bar
You do not need to have an open bar for the entirety of the evening, but you are required to provide your visitors with something to drink without requiring them to pay for it. Choose to serve simply beer and wine, a signature cocktail, or mocktails instead of requiring your guests to pull out their wallets for a cash bar. You may also just serve beer and wine.
Transportation
Leaving guests stranded in the hotel, the ceremony site, or the reception location is not recommended. Offer customers affordable transportation options, such as a one-time use Uber code, taxi referrals, or a shuttle service between major venues. Transportation is crucial, and this is especially true if alcoholic beverages are served. (By the way, your wedding website is the ideal place to provide information about how to get there and what transportation alternatives are available.)
A Smooth Run of Show
When it comes to success, timing is essential. Try not to let any downtime occur during which your guests might grow restless and bored. Keep things to a minimum by keeping the ceremony to no more than an hour (unless a longer religious ceremony is required, of course), having short toasts at the reception, keeping the first dance song to just one verse and chorus, and starting the cocktail hour right after the ceremony.
Space
If there isn't enough space, or if there's too much, it can drastically alter the mood of the event. Have you ever wanted to break a move to "Uptown Funk," but the dance floor was so packed that you couldn't move, or vice versa because no one else was there? You should factor this into your plans right away. Talk with the site manager at your venue or the tent rental provider about your guest list size and the square footage you'll require.
The Food
Don't starve your visitors; it's bad manners. Make sure the catering is great, and there's lots of it, whether you go with passing appetisers, a lavish buffet, or trendy food stations. The sweets are exactly the same. If you're going to have a wedding cake, it should taste as amazing as it looks.
Being Able To Hear Each Other
If some of your visitors would rather not dance, don't make them scream to be heard. Guests can still enjoy each other's company without losing their voices if you make arrangements with the musicians to limit the volume or if you provide a quieter area (perhaps a lounge area nearby). At Brighton Savoy, we have compiled a list of the Best Photobooth Hires in Melbourne to help you choose who captures your magical day.
The Happy Couple
No one will enjoy themselves if you and your spouse are unhappy, seated at the same table the entire time, or go missing for the evening. You could spend all the money in the world, hire a star performance, and have a 50-yard slip-and-slide. You two, the happy newlyweds, are the centre of attention at this gathering. If you are having a good time, smiling, and dancing, your guests will do the same and remember how much fun they had.
FAQs About Wedding
Here, We'll Explore What Wedding Guests Really Desire And How To Satisfy Their Needs.
Travel (beyond a short distance) is not something your guests will be interested in doing.
It does sound fantastic to have the wedding on a deserted island. Even still, our poll found that 20% of people are put off by the prospect of attending a wedding if it means travelling too far or to an unpleasant site.
Even while this implies that weddings closer to the couple's home are more popular with guests, it's not always time to call off your dream destination ceremony. However, if you want your guests to have an easy time getting to and from the wedding and having a good time while they're there, pick a destination that has a large airport, frequent direct flights coming in and out, and comfortable lodging options. You may certainly have your guests travel to your wedding venue if you so want (after all, some people really like an excuse to go on vacation!), but you should do everything you can to make their trip as simple as possible.
Your Guests Want To Look At Beautiful Stuff.
Your guests will appreciate your meticulous attention to detail in wedding planning via Pinterest. One-third of those polled gave the wedding decor high marks, while 60% said the bride's attire was the most important aspect of the event.
All this discussion about decorations and attire doesn't imply you have to go into debt to host an occasion fit for a king and queen. However, if you want everything to appear perfect on your wedding day, it's best to enlist the aid of expert wedding planners. Additionally, when going clothes shopping, it is a good idea to take the advice of professionals such as stylists and fit models. When the bride is confident and happy in her wedding gown, the guests will feel the same way.
Your Guests Are Hungry.
The two words "free food" sum up one of the best things about going to a wedding. According to our poll results, 60% of guests see the wedding meal as very important.
You should hire a reliable caterer to make sure there is enough tasty food for everyone. The timing is crucial, so be careful. For the sake of your guests' stomachs, try to kick off the cocktail hour soon following the ceremony. Your wedding lunch should be served between 30 and 45 minutes into the reception, so make sure to plan accordingly. Whether you opt to serve a plate, buffet, or family-style lunch, make sure you have enough wait staff and buffet stations to keep lines short and guests satisfied.
Your Guests Desire To Socialise
It's likely that your guests will spend a good chunk of your wedding day mingling and catching up with old pals and new acquaintances. Without a common bond amongst the guests, your event will be dull. A significant proportion of respondents (25%) found that not knowing anybody else at the wedding was an annoyance, and over 20% said that being sat next to and forced to talk to complete strangers was an awkward experience.
If you're on the fence about inviting someone because you're worried they won't know anybody at the wedding, you could be doing them a favour by not inviting them. If you really must have guests who won't know anybody at your wedding, consider inviting them to the rehearsal dinner and introducing them to others there. When arranging the seating chart, it is also a good idea to group those who already know one other.
Don't try to "be creative" by putting all the single people at the same table or by putting people who normally wouldn't hang out together at the same table. Your guests would like being seated near those they know, so please make that arrangement if at all possible.
Your Guests Want To Get Up And Dance.
When asked what would ruin a wedding celebration the most, 23% of respondents mentioned the lack of good music. There's nothing worse than a party with no one on the dance floor—not for you and not for your guests.
You should get a professional DJ or band to play at your wedding (be sure to check their references and talk to previous clients before making a final decision!). A skilled musician can gauge the mood of a gathering and play the proper set of tunes to get people on the dance floor. You should inform your wedding DJ or bandleader of the genres and songs that you do not want to be played at your reception well in advance of the big day. Maintaining a full dance floor requires constant and open communication between you and your music professional.
Your Guests Desire To Feel Secure.
This might make you scratch your brain a little bit. When attending a wedding, why would someone feel threatened? Our poll found that 27% of people think that inebriated guests can spoil a wedding. Drunk visitors are more than a nuisance; they can quickly transform a quiet dinner party into a wild, chaotic party, which is probably not the atmosphere you were hoping to create.
There are a few solutions to the problem of inebriated visitors ruining your event. Having fewer alcoholic beverages available may reduce the likelihood that guests would drink excessively, so you may decide to keep the bar selection to beer, wine, and perhaps one or two signature cocktails.
Bartenders who have received proper training and hold valid licences are also essential since they will be able to detect patrons who have had too much to drink and refuse to serve them further. You might also inquire with the venue about any safety precautions they might have in place. Finally, to reduce the risk of accidents caused by guests who have been drinking, it is a good idea to arrange for transportation to and from the reception.
Your wedding guests, whether they are from out of town or are planning a special trip, will appreciate knowing that they can easily and safely reach the ceremony and reception locations. Many hosts will arrange for shuttle service to and from the airport or hotel for their out-of-town visitors, with careful communication to ensure no one is left behind.
Conclusion
It's crucial to remember your guests, many of whom travel great distances and spend a lot of money to be a part of this big day. Here are a few easy strategies you can use to ensure your guests are comfortable and pleased without compromising the wedding of your dreams. It's important to let guests know if the wedding will be held in a church or elsewhere. Having a mix of larger, more expensive gifts and numerous smaller, more affordable gifts provides visitors plenty of options for each person at the wedding. It's a good idea to consider a range of prices for hotels.
Planning a wedding reception for the evening is especially important. Consider how much time there will be between the ceremony and the reception if it takes place earlier in the day. Make sure you get to the ceremony on time by allowing plenty of time in the morning for hair, makeup, pictures, and travel. Being aware of your guests' priorities can result in a much happier wedding day. Choosing a fantastic DJ or band will not go overlooked.
You do not need to have an open bar for the entirety of the evening, but you are required to provide your visitors with something to drink. 20% of people are put off by the prospect of attending a wedding if it means travelling too far or to an unpleasant site. One-third of those polled gave the wedding decor high marks, while 60% said the bride's attire was the most important aspect of the event. 60% of guests see the wedding meal as very important, so make sure you hire a reliable caterer. 25% of respondents found that not knowing anybody else at the wedding was an annoyance.
There's nothing worse than a party with no one on the dance floor. A poll found that 27% of people think that inebriated guests can spoil a wedding. Having fewer alcoholic beverages available may reduce the likelihood that guests would drink excessively. Maintaining a full dance floor requires constant and open communication between you and your music professional.
Content Summary
- Your wedding should be about you and your significant other and showcase your own preferences.
- So how can you focus on the wedding specifics that matter to your guests?
- You're in luck, though, because we polled almost 1,000 guests to find out what they truly pay attention to at weddings (and what they could care less about).
- It's constantly reiterated to you while you're planning a wedding that it should be "all about you" and that it's your "special day."
- You want to be certain that all of your decisions will make you pleased because it is your wedding day.
- Even while the majority of wedding guests don't really pay attention to every tiny detail, some of them do.
- Here are a few easy strategies you can use to ensure your guests are comfortable and pleased without compromising the wedding of your dreams.
- and "Today is all about you!"
- for years.
- While this is generally true, you still need to remember your visitors.
- In addition to reflecting on you as a couple, you want your wedding to showcase your skills as gracious hosts.
- The location of the venue (or venues) is of interest to potential attendees because they may need to arrange for transportation to and from the event.
- It's important to let visitors know if the wedding will be held in a church or elsewhere and what kind of setting it will be.
- RegistryMany of the engaged couples we know are dreading having to create a wedding registry.
- Guests at your wedding would probably appreciate being able to shop from an online register for gifts they know you'll love.
- Another standard instruction is to "select a decent mix" of items from a register.
- Timing is especially important during cocktail hour.
- TimingWhen planning a wedding reception for the evening, it's important to consider how much time there will be between the ceremony and the reception if it takes place earlier in the day.
- Make sure you get to the ceremony on time by allowing plenty of time in the morning of the wedding for hair, makeup, pictures, and travel.
- Food & DrinkThe timing of most wedding receptions gives the impression that guests will be served food.
- One of the most common suggestions from visitors is to provide more food options during cocktail hour.
- There isn't usually much time for lunch before the cocktail hour between travelling, getting ready, and arriving at the wedding.
- Wedding guests will rarely recall the finer points of your wedding and décor, but they will remember how much fun they had.
- Choosing a fantastic DJ or band will not go overlooked.
- Everyone will recall a full dance floor and a desire for the night to finish.
- They understand that there are many people who want a piece of your time.
- Surprisingly, seeing the couple present, happy, and having a good time is towards the top of the list of things wedding guests want.
- Simply being aware of your guests' priorities can result in a much happier wedding day.
- The MusicA party with lousy music is pretty much guaranteed to be a bad party.
- Whether you choose a live band or a DJ, it is important to do your homework and find the best possible professionals to work your event.
- If you put your faith in us, we can help you find the perfect music to complement your celebration.
- The BarYou do not need to have an open bar for the entirety of the evening, but you are required to provide your visitors with something to drink without requiring them to pay for it.
- Choose to serve simply beer and wine, a signature cocktail, or mocktails instead of requiring your guests to pull out their wallets for a cash bar.
- Leaving guests stranded in the hotel, the ceremony site, or the reception location is not recommended.
- Offer customers affordable transportation options, such as a one-time use Uber code, taxi referrals, or a shuttle service between major venues.
- By the way, your wedding website is the ideal place to provide information about how to get there and what transportation alternatives are available.)A Smooth Run of ShowWhen it comes to success, timing is essential.
- Keep things to a minimum by keeping the ceremony to no more than an hour (unless a longer religious ceremony is required, of course), having short toasts at the reception, keeping the first dance song to just one verse and chorus, and starting the cocktail hour right after the ceremony.
- SpaceIf there isn't enough space, or if there's too much, it can drastically alter the mood of the event.
- You should factor this into your plans right away.
- Talk with the site manager at your venue or the tent rental provider about your guest list size and the square footage you'll require.
- The FoodDon't starve your visitors; it's bad manners.
- Make sure the catering is great, and there's lots of it, whether you go with passing appetisers, a lavish buffet, or trendy food stations.
- If you're going to have a wedding cake, it should taste as amazing as it looks.
- Being Able To Hear Each OtherIf some of your visitors would rather not dance, don't make them scream to be heard.
- If you are having a good time, smiling, and dancing, your guests will do the same and remember how much fun they had.
- Travel (beyond a short distance) is not something your guests will be interested in doing.
- Even still, our poll found that 20% of people are put off by the prospect of attending a wedding if it means travelling too far or to an unpleasant site.
- Even while this implies that weddings closer to the couple's home are more popular with guests, it's not always time to call off your dream destination ceremony.
- However, if you want your guests to have an easy time getting to and from the wedding and having a good time while they're there, pick a destination that has a large airport, frequent direct flights coming in and out, and comfortable lodging options.
- You may certainly have your guests travel to your wedding venue if you so want (after all, some people really like an excuse to go on vacation!),
- Your guests will appreciate your meticulous attention to detail in wedding planning via Pinterest.
- One-third of those polled gave the wedding decor high marks, while 60% said the bride's attire was the most important aspect of the event.
- However, if you want everything to appear perfect on your wedding day, it's best to enlist the aid of expert wedding planners.
- The two words "free food" sum up one of the best things about going to a wedding.
- According to our poll results, 60% of guests see the wedding meal as very important.
- You should hire a reliable caterer to make sure there is enough tasty food for everyone.
- Without a common bond amongst the guests, your event will be dull.
- A significant proportion of respondents (25%) found that not knowing anybody else at the wedding was an annoyance, and over 20% said that being sat next to and forced to talk to complete strangers was an awkward experience.
- If you really must have guests who won't know anybody at your wedding, consider inviting them to the rehearsal dinner and introducing them to others there.
- Your Guests Want To Get Up And Dance.
- When asked what would ruin a wedding celebration the most, 23% of respondents mentioned the lack of good music.
- There's nothing worse than a party with no one on the dance floor—not for you and not for your guests.
- You should get a professional DJ or band to play at your wedding (be sure to check their references and talk to previous clients before making a final decision!).
- You should inform your wedding DJ or bandleader of the genres and songs that you do not want to be played at your reception well in advance of the big day.
- Our poll found that 27% of people think that inebriated guests can spoil a wedding.
- There are a few solutions to the problem of inebriated visitors ruining your event.
- Finally, to reduce the risk of accidents caused by guests who have been drinking, it is a good idea to arrange for transportation to and from the reception.