6 Ways to Make Your Wedding Guests Feel Welcome
2020-01-31

It goes without saying that your wedding day is centred on you and your spouse-to-be. Be that as it may, your guests have also taken the time out of their busy schedules to celebrate your blissful union and share their heartfelt blessings with you, so it’s only natural to be a good host in return and ensure that they have an enjoyable time while at your wedding.

To make your guests feel special and appreciated, beautiful décor and centrepieces alone are not enough. Instead, include these special touches to make them feel welcome!

1. Send save-the-dates promptly

As soon as you have booked your wedding venue, give your guests the heads up promptly. When you communicate your wedding date and location well in advance, this gives them ample time to plan their schedule and make time for your wedding.

Remember to provide sufficient details in the invitation card – is the cost of parking covered? Is there a long walk from the carpark to the ceremony location? Sharing these helpful bits of information is a considerate gesture that your guests will come to appreciate.

2. Be mindful of dietary restrictions

Guests with food allergies or dietary restrictions should not have to worry if your wedding reception menu is not suitable for them. When deciding the wedding menu, take your guests’ dietary needs into consideration.

It is good to inquire about their needs in advance so that you can inform the wedding caterer in advance, or plan to have at least one or two alternative mains. You can also provide information on the menu to indicate allergy-prone ingredients such as nuts, seafood, and gluten so that your guests are aware of what goes into the food.

3. Provide a kids’ corner

This depends on whether or not your guest list includes children. Without a proper area for them to play safely in, these young ones can be difficult to manage when they’re bored and might hinder their parents from enjoying the celebration.

Try to accommodate your guests’ children with a kid’s corner – colouring and activity books, toys, and dolls can be some of the things you can include for the kids to be occupied with. This can be done with a booth right in the wedding ballroom itself or a separate room next door – discuss the idea with your wedding planner so that your request can be accommodated. This way, both the children and their parents will truly have a good time on your wedding day.

4. Ask for song suggestions

In your RSVP card, include a line to ask your wedding guests for a song that they would like to hear at your wedding reception. These song requests can then be passed on to the DJ or band – you do not need to use all of the suggestions, but this simple gesture can make your guests feel included as part of your big day.

5. Add lounge space

Provide some seating vignettes and lounge chairs away from all of the action. This gives your wedding guests an opportunity to refresh and take a breather, or mingle quietly in a corner. It can still accentuate your wedding theme while providing the perfect space for those who need to rest (especially ladies with killer heels!) and people who wish to enjoy the celebration from a different part of the room.

6. Stay hydrated on the way home

With plenty of bubbly and booze consumed throughout the night, it would be good to stay hydrated as well. Before your wedding guests head off for the night, let them know that they can grab a water bottle – which can be branded them with your wedding logo or monogram. Your guests will appreciate how thoughtful you can be and leave with a good impression.