Coming up with the fantastic idea of throwing a wedding weekend for your guests is all well and good until they arrive at the destination and you’ve absolutely no idea of what to do next! Here, we have some handy tips to ensure your spectacular wedding weekend goes off without a hitch.
Hostess from the word go
Whatever your guests’ mode of transport, the fact of the matter is, they’ve sacrificed their own personal time and money to be here so a warm welcome is the least you can provide. Ensure the hotel staff are prepped on the arrival of your guests and have a beverage (hot or cold) ready and waiting at reception. Leaving a small handwritten note to say, ‘thank you for taking the time to start out on this adventure with us, we will see you very soon’ in each guest's room is a particularly personal touch. While welcome bags aren’t a must, they’ll certainly propel your wedding into gold standard status. You don’t have to spend a lot of money on these; something tongue-and-cheek such as an eye mask and painkillers for the hangover they will inevitably endure shall suffice.
Slow and steady wins the race
Instead of throwing your guests right into a raucous, pre-wedding party, why not opt for a more low-key cocktail evening or sit down meal? This will give friends and family from both the bride and groom's wedding party, a chance to meet and get to know one-another before the main event. By doing so, guests will be familiar and far more comfortable with one another for the wedding weekend, ensuring a far more laid-back atmosphere. Likewise, if you decide to have a more far-flung, tropical destination for your wedding ceremony, choosing a low-key event the night before will help ease guests into overcoming their jet lag, feeling more energised and refreshed for the day itself.
Be considerate of expenses
Having events around the wedding weekend for your guests should be about looking after the people who so kindly gave up their time and money to be with you and celebrate your wedding. However, that doesn’t mean that you should just be putting events on for the sake of it – at their expense! They’ve already probably forked out enough money for your celebration, so if you’re putting on extra events, make sure some food and drinks are provided for them so that they feel like they’re being catered for as opposed to having to spend more money at another part of the day.
Group activities
There’s obviously a very valid reason as to why you’ve chosen your particular wedding venue, so now it’s time to show your guests the reason too. Your wedding party has made the effort, however big or small, to spend an entire weekend at your wedding venue, so make it well worth their while. Organise various fun group activities in which everyone can be included in some way. These type of group outings will not only keep friends and family occupied for the entire time, but will also spark some conversation when chatting at the wedding breakfast. Just a word of cautious warning: ensure that these activities don’t include anything that would result in you hobbling down the aisle on crutches.
Go out with a bang
Your responsibilities as a host do not end once you say ‘I do’! Ensure your fabulous, fun-filled wedding weekend does not end on a sour note for guests. Ensure you have paid attention to every little detail of the weekend, including the departure. Holding an informal brunch is a great way to have all your wedding guests in the same room for one last final time – this will provide the perfect opportunity to converse about the wedding day previous and ensure you thank each and every guest in attendance. If you decide on this idea, plan the brunch for a time more suited to hangovers and a few sore heads. If dragging yourself and your guests away from their warm, cosy duvets the morning after seems all kinds of cruel torture, why not arrange room service for all of the wedding guests to enjoy a sumptuous breakfast in bed? One last final touch… arrange a couple of coaches to transport guests back to their travelling point; your duty as a host is over and now, your married life can begin.
- Michelle Storey
Image credits: Itinerary: Oh So Beautiful Paper | Table: Das Cupcake | Games: Pinterest | Cocktails: The Perfect Palette