Many brides would be reluctant to admit this, but a massive part of the stressful wedding planning process is all to do with impressing your guests. So if you find yourself panicking that you’ve left any tiny detail out, which would make or break the day, here’s a quick checklist on details that all wedding guests will notice.
The food
It’s one of the most important elements of the day and one that guests will definitely notice, whether it’s good or bad. Your guests will be sitting over their meal for a couple of ours and it’ll be essential for their enjoyment, so make sure you take the time to choose your wedding menu very carefully to ensure it’s something your guests will enjoy and remember long after the wedding is finished.
The chairs
Although there’s not a huge amount that can be done about the seating at the ceremony itself, it’s the after-party in which people will be spending most of their time and settling in for the evening. An uncomfortable, wobbly, unsafe seat will no doubt be the topic of conversation among guests during the meal and can really ruin the overall experience for your friends and family. Ensure guests are seated on chairs with backs and if you’re not satisfied with the ones provided by the venue, renting some out is your best bet…because no-one wants to see great-aunt Lizzie slide off her wobbly perch during the speeches.
The lighting
Although the lighting within the venue may not cross a bride’s mind when deciding where their wedding is going to take place, taking note and choosing this detail wisely can have a massive effect on the day. Natural light is best to use, but if this is an issue, candles and lanterns are relatively cost-free and can transform a guests’ wedding experience and the overall ambience of the wedding day. Think about how much natural light will be in your venue on the day, and think about this when it comes to the season you’re having the wedding too.
Entertainment
Your guests cannot be expected to sit for hours with nothing but the person sitting across from them as their only form of entertainment. Hiring a magician can be a bold move as a tedious card trick and pulling a rabbit out of a hat may not to be everyone’s cup of tea. The most popular and fool-proof form of entertainment for any wedding day is a DJ or a band. Do your research and ask friends and family for recommendations to ensure you hire the best musical entertainment possible. Don’t hesitate to send a playlist to the DJ in advance to ensure all guests’ musical tastes are met. Because nothing is more awkward than an empty dancefloor on a wedding day. If you’re looking for a little something extra besides music, we have some alternative entertainment ideas to consider.
Stick to the schedule
Providing a free meal and entertainment for friends and family invited to the day does not mean they should be left waiting around for hours for the bride to arrive. Feeling beautiful on your big day is of the upmost importance, but arriving an hour late to the venue due to far too long taking photos is a no-no. If time-keeping is not your strong point, begin your day a little earlier than planned to ensure you get to the church (and the venue) on time.
- Michelle Storey
Image credits: Table lantern: Pinterest | Lanterns: The K Club | Band: Arkansas Bride | Guests: Mark Griffin Photo