Part of wedding planning includes making sure your guests are comfortable during the wedding and that they enjoy the whole celebration. To plan out a wedding your guests can thoroughly enjoy, you must first know what your guests care most about when attending weddings.
(1) The Invitation
Your invitation contains the most basic and important information for the guests to go to your wedding. Guests use this as their guide for the time, location, directions, attire, and other details. They care very much that what is specified in your invitation is complete, clear, and accurate (especially when it comes to directions) because they will always turn to your invites if they are in doubt about any wedding detail.
[From: A Timeless and Elegant Wedding in France / Photo: Céline Chan Photographie]
(2) The Date
The date matters a lot. In fact, many people still prefer holidays or weekends because they don’t need to leave work and they can stay later in the evening.
[From: A Gorgeous Wedding at the Veranda with Pastel Color Accents / Photos: Jenny Tong Fine Art Photography]
(3) The Weather
In relation to the date, the weather also is something guests care about. Guests’ attires will depend greatly on weather conditions. And if the wedding is in a destination, the weather and season play a part in the determining preparations needed for guests.
[From: An Elegant Wedding with Touches of Blue and Blush / Photo: KC Professional Photography]
(4) The Terrain
Just like the weather, the location and its terrain also are important details for guests. It will not be wise for women to wear stilettos to a beach wedding, nor will it be advisable for grandparents with walkers or canes to walk on uneven ground. When choosing a venue, be mindful of your guests, and advise them accordingly.
[From: A Grand Garden Wedding at Villa Cora Italy / Photo: Jada Poon Photography]
(5) Transportation and Parking
If you are having a destination wedding, guests care very much about the transportation options and costs related to getting there. For local venues, parking is also a detail they look into. Remember that convenience and ease when traveling to your wedding is of high priority for guests.
[From: A Gorgeous Wedding at the Veranda with Pastel Color Accents / Photos: Jenny Tong Fine Art Photography]
(6) The Seating Arrangement
There is an art to making the guests’ seating arrangement. It can be tedious and time consuming, but guests do appreciate it when the seating plan was well-though-of and they’re able to to enjoy the reception with people they can easily converse with.
[From: A Lovely Pink and Blue Pastel Wedding in Phuket / Photo: Darin Images]
[From: A Breathtaking Destination Wedding That Overlooks the Sea / Photo: Hilary Chan Photography]
(7) The Starting Time
Starting late is really frustrating for guests. If the wedding falls on a weekday, guests will need to go to work the next day. Starting late results in ending late with may leave guests no choice but to leave earlier, or stay late The pay the price the next day.
[From: An Intimate Rooftop Wedding at Wooloomooloo / Photo: Feel in the Blank]
(8) The Waiting Time
Because the wedding party typically takes photos after the ceremony, guests spend a lot of time waiting at weddings. Keep them preoccupied so they don’t get restless and impatient. You can also try to work with your photographer on a time limit for the post-nuptial photos so you can proceed to the reception faster.
[From: A Gorgeous Wedding at the Veranda with Pastel Color Accents / Photos: Jenny Tong Fine Art Photography]
(9) The Food
Festive dishes are really important, especially for Chinese banquets. Guests always look forward to the food as celebrations aren’t quite complete without delicious food. Make your wedding extra memorable with festive dishes your guests won’t forget.
[From: A Grand Garden Wedding at Villa Cora Italy / Photo: Jada Poon Photography]
[From: A Lovely Pink and Blue Pastel Wedding in Phuket / Photo: Darin Images]
(10) The Bar
Drinks make or break the after party. Guests do prefer an open bar or free-flowing drinks so they can celebrate the night away with you.
[From: A Hotel Wedding with an Intimate Dinner Reception / Photo: Fermat Photography]
(11) Spending Time with You
Guests also look forward to spending time with you. They will appreciate it if you spend time with them during the reception or after party. After all, they came to celebrate your union with you!
[From: A Grand Garden Wedding at Villa Cora Italy / Photo: Jada Poon Photography]
Sources: The Insider, Brides Magazine, In Style
