Your wedding is going to look and feel like the luxury wedding you dreamed of, and you will be surrounded by the most important people in your life.

It can be very stressful to plan a wedding, so here are a few ways to make sure you are incredible hosts and get your guests leaving thinking yours is “the best wedding I’ve ever been to!”

Your guests experience begins before your wedding day

Before out of town guests solidify their travel plans, make sure to send them a guide for your venue area.  With thoughtful suggestions for local experiences, your guests will know why you love and chose Colorado for your wedding. When they arrive make sure to include personalized information and thoughtful items for your Guests Welcome bags. Including things like; your favorite local candy, quality refreshing items, a gift card to a local brewery, maps for a beautiful hike or a great moisturizer for our dry climate, welcome your guests and show them how much you value their presence.

For local guests, be sure to communicate what events they are invited to. Include information about shuttles to allow them to plan for safe transportation around your wedding. Consider hosting a morning brunch the next day for your closest friends, to relive the wedding, before you leave for a honeymoon.

All of these things should be considered during the planning phase. It may be useful to make a wedding checklist to ensure that nothing is overlooked in preparation.

Clear communication ON your Wedding Day

At your wedding, guests want to know where to go and what to do. Help the wedding day flow for your guests with the use of Ushers, A Day of Coordinator, and direction for the transitions. To make things as simple as possible, it may also be useful to hire a wedding planner before the big day. Trying to plan a wedding on your own might mean some details are skipped.

Having ushers greet and guide guests to the ceremony then to the cocktail hour, will save your guests from the frustrating “now what?” feeling. Ushers can help answer your guests’ questions and keep guests at the cocktail hour to allow you to take your formal photos. Having a wedding coordinator around will ensure things run smoothly, even while you’re occupied.

You can also have the schedule of events posted or printed for your guests. Get creative - for summer weddings, print this onto fans for your guests.

Entertainment 

Consider your guests experience and what they will be doing in the time between the ceremony and the reception. In 15 years, every wedding party has had formal photos to complete in this time, leaving guests waiting.

Be sure there are refreshments available for your guests and something for them to do. Not every guest will love the open social hour with people they may not know, a little entertainment is the perfect solution to keep everyone comfortable and happy.

Lawn games, food and drink stations, a live painter, or a live band will improve the experience for your guests. If it fits the theme of your wedding you may consider performers, a tarot card reader, cultural dances, or unique service like Champaign towers.

These extra touches elevate the wedding experience for your guests keeping them happy and loving the whole day.

Reconsider Old Traditions

There is no right way to hold a wedding, but considering your guests may have you reconsidering some traditions.

For example, most guests actually do not enjoy the Bouquet and Garter toss. Of the hundreds of weddings I’ve photographed, the vast majority had reluctant single women come to the floor to catch and compete, for the bouquet. Often a small child runs to where it has landed on the floor. In general, this is a tradition most guests would prefer to pass on.

Think about who your guests are when considering this tradition, and if you are unsure just reach out and ask your invited guests.

There are some great ways to revise this tradition. Consider giving your bouquet to the couple together the longest, or a recently engaged friend.

Cakes can be beautiful decor but if you are for example, a cheese lover…. by all means cut the cheese at your wedding. It’s unique and funny. Other replacements can be candy bars, pies or donuts.

Great Vendors

It’s so important to hire great vendors who have experience and will be trusted to execute your vision. An experienced vendor will know how to manage any problems that arise. They will also give you the best advice for all the small details that make your wedding run well. For example, a bar with a fast line will keep your dance floor alive.

Be mindful to chose vendors with experience and who can show you how they can help bring your vision to life!

Surprise Them

Bring in a delicious surprise treat during the reception. An ice cream cart, coffee bar with pour overs or a late night taco truck are all guaranteed hits.

Favors your guests will want

A long-held tradition is for guests to leave with a wedding favor. Avoid “cheesy trinkets” and making your favor an experience, something your guests will use, or something that brings joy.

Think of ways to infuse yourself into a gift that your guest can use like; your favorite hot sauce, a locally made good like honey, or a cupcake from your favorite bakery. Two of my favorite wedding favors have been cheese boards from a couple who hosted with the most amazing charcuterie spreads and a beautiful boxed cupcake with a personalized thank you note.

I’m Jo – A photographer who loves getting to know my couples so I can capture the most authentic beautiful images of them on their wedding day. I’d love to meet you and talk about your wedding. Click here so we can schedule a time to get together!