It IS your wedding, but is it “all about you”?! In many cases, events that are “all about you” are uncomfortable, awkward and can go wrong in so many ways. Besides, most of us get more joy making other people happy!
Apply that to your wedding day. Your wedding party and guests are a big part of that dream-come-true scenario that you’ve been imagining for so long and you want them to know that their presence is an honor to you as a couple. There are some memorable ways to get that message across at your wedding.
- Have little gift bags for those in your wedding party.
They’re going to be spending the most time with and for you. Make it special with gift bags filled with: bottles of water and some flavor packets, snacks (some savory, some sweet), breath mints, kleenex, a little battery operated fan, compact mirrors, hand lotion, chapstick, hand sanitizer, etc. If you put their name on the outside, they can use it to store things or mark where their stuff is sitting in the changing room.
- Get things rolling on time.
This is a courtesy to everyone—wedding party and guests and those serving them.
- Have party favors.
This isn’t just an afterthought or an advertisement for your wedding. This is a piece of you that you spent your time/money on to let your guests know you are grateful that they are part of your big day. Not that it’s a requirement, but it always makes people feel more special when they know someone invested their own time in a thoughtful party favor.
- Have plenty of food.
This applies to pre-wedding, reception AND the after party or dance. Weddings tend to be quite long affairs, make sure everyone is fed and there will likely be less cranky (and tipsy) people to deal with.
- Pretend YOU are the guest.
It’s the Golden Rule, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Do you want to sit in the heat for an hour before the ceremony starts? Do you want to greet every single member of the wedding party in the lineup or just the bride/groom and parents? Is it clear where you are to go when you arrive? How will you find your seat at the reception? Can you see the wedding party from every seat at the reception? Is the DJ appealing to many generations or just one?
These are just a few ways that you can make your special day truly reflect your heart and be special for others as well!