I love it when I get true feedback from guests. The only way to learn how your wedding guests truly feel after attending your wedding, is when you can observe their reactions, listen into some of their conversations or straight out ask them how they are doing and if they are enjoying the music, food and ambience. Guests want to feel included. They attend your wedding to support and celebrate you but they want to be acknowledged. Some guests may have traveled quite far to attend your special day, others may have been your best friend since childhood and then there are some you just can’t live without but you haven’t had much interaction over the years. This is the time to thank them, spoil them and send them affirmation of your friendship. Personal notes, welcome letters, informational ceremony programs, heartfelt welcome toasts by family or the couple, entertainment that is for everyone and pay attention to dietary restrictions. It’s the simple things that go along way!

Things to look out for on your wedding day:

• Create a ceremony that tells your story, don’t just have a 5 minute I do situation

• Keep your guests hydrated and fed, arrival beverages and snacks are appreciated!

• Guests want to be part of your story, ask them for guidance or well wishes instead of just signing a guest book. Who wants to look at signatures in 10 years?

• Introduce your bridal party, what’s your connection to them?

• Seat guests together that don’t know each other but match them…

• Don’t single out the single ones! Bouquet and garter toss are not very enjoyable for your guests..

• Talk to all of your guests and thank them for coming!

• If you are renting portable restrooms, don’t choose the construction type portables…

• If you are on a budget, hire a food truck instead of offering a buffet dinner with plastic dishware

• Guests should be comfortable, if it’s hot, provide fans, if it’s cold, offer blankets, if the shoes are getting tight, have flip flops available – don’t seat guests in front of speakers or close to doors where it’s drafty

• Inform your toasters to keep it short!

• Spreading out your ceremony and reception time makes your guests feel lost in between

• Pick a good day to travel! Holidays are expensive, weddings during the week make it hard to take off work..

• A delicious dinner goes a longer way than an elaborate centerpiece

• Host the night, don’t have your guests pay for drinks at the bar! It doesn’t have to be a full bar.