Top Ten Tips for a Wedding Your Guests Will Enjoy

Top Ten Tips for a Wedding

Sure, your wedding promises to be one of the greatest days of your life, but what about your guests? A wedding is a party, after all, and as such, the hosts have a responsibility to attend to the comfort and enjoyment of their invitees. Here are some tips to consider when putting together the Big Day.

1. ## Keep the Ceremony Short, or Short-ish

The ceremony is, of course, the raison d'etre of the event, and should encompass all the magic of your love for one another. To that end, meet with your chosen officiant and discuss what you want the ceremony to look like, and plan it. Preparation will not detract from the spontaneous beauty of the moment. On the contrary, a thoughtful and concise ceremony will better engage your guests, and is likely to move them more deeply than an extended ramble.

2. Create a Program

A well-designed cheat sheet for the service, with some biographical information about the happy couple and a rundown of the schedule of events, can serve to fill in the gaps. It can also fill up some time and provide an activity should the service be delayed.

3. Spend Some Time on the Seating Chart

It is entirely possible that you, the happy couple, are the only two people who will know everyone at the reception. Take the pressure off your guests and make an effort to arrange tables in groups of people that may have something in common besides you. Place your attractive and easy-to-read chart prominently so that guests can find their way easily.

4. Make Contact With Everyone

Nothing makes a guest feel more welcome than being greeted by the host. Nobody is saying this is going to be easy, but make a rigorous attempt to shake hands, air-kiss, embrace, dance, eat, talk or otherwise acknowledge everyone who has done you the honor of showing up.

5. Take Requests

Have the DJ make an announcement early in the reception to say that people are welcome and encouraged to request their favorite dance music. Better yet, add a space on the invitation, and have a set list all ready and guaranteed to get people on their feet.

6. Consider the Tech

Let your guests have fun and contribute to your photo album at the same time by creating a personalized wedding hashtag they can attach to all their party pictures. Keep them charged up by making space for a designated charging station.

7. Provide a Favor They Will not Forget

The favor is not necessarily the place to make a lasting statement. A truly memorable gesture can be a post-reception snack such as party mix or chocolates. Of course, if a statement is what you are after, consider donating to a favorite charity in your guests' names, and print out a lovely card to acknowledge it.

8. Let 'Em Play

After dinner, have the caterer (or whoever is helping) set out some games on the tables. Make them easy-to-play and fun for a diverse group. Good choices are backgammon, checkers, Jenga, and even Pictionary. A lighthearted game can be a great way for people to take a break from the dance floor and get to know one another better.

9. Provide a Welcome Gift

A small selection of comforts is a lovely gesture for people who have travelled a long way to be with you on your special day. Cheese and crackers, sparkling water and a local walking map make a useful and thoughtful gift.

10. Leave Them With a Lasting Image

Remember that scene in Love Actually where Keira Knightley is waving goodbye to her guests from the back of a ferry lit up against the night sky? Just saying, you cannot go wrong with a grand exit.