Your wedding day really is all about you and your partner. Everyone will be looking at you – from people admiring your beautiful dress or suit, to the guests all saying how delicious the food is.
But, that said, the people you’ve invited to your wedding are also your guests, so it’s important that they enjoy your day just as much as you do. So, have you thought about how you could surprise your wedding guests in a thoughtful way?
This doesn’t mean that you need to go out of your way to make your wedding day about them, but there are some small things you can do to make the celebration even more memorable for them – and also provide your photographer with some great photo opportunities too!
Give them a welcome bag
Wedding welcome bags are a hot trend at the moment and guests love them! Welcome bags don’t need to be over the top or expensive either.
A simple tote bag containing a bottle of water, some mints for a fresh breath feel, and maybe some comfy shoes for when the dance floor opens is a thoughtful and effective way to make the day that bit more comfortable for your guests.
Offer drinks before your ceremony.
Guests will be hanging around for at least 30 minutes before your ceremony starts and if you are getting married during the warmer months, offering a refreshing welcome drink can get the day off to a good start.
Entertain them
I could write a whole separate post on this! There are so many ways to keep your guests entertained after the ceremony and both before and after the meal. I have seen birds of prey, magicians, caricaturists, bouncy castles and garden games!
There have also been playgrounds, an Elvis impersonator and much more! I have even seen a bride and groom have an ‘It’s a Knockout’ style games competition!
Keep them warm.
Whether you are getting married in the colder months, having an outdoor wedding or where you know people will want to escape outside later in the evening, then it is a good idea to place some blankets or pashminas at either the entrance of your ceremony venue to ensure guests are warm while you’re saying your vows or in the reception area so that people can pick one up when they need it.
Keep them cool
Moving to the extreme here, we know how hot the weather can get so it is a great idea to provide your guests with a fan. These can also double up as a wedding favour to help save on costs.
Shield their eyes.
If your ceremony will be taking place outside, make sure that your guests can see exactly what’s going on by offering them a pair of sunglasses. Buy them in bulk to cut the cost of this fun wedding extra and then place them in a basket at the entrance or give them to the Grooms Party to hand out.
Surprise them with the first dance
I have seen a couple of variations on this idea. I have seen one couple, who were ballroom dancers, start off with a normal first dance and then go into a proper dance routine with a confetti canon. I have also seen another couple start off with a slow version of Rick Astley’s ‘Never Gonna Give You Up’ and then go into the normal version (so they didn’t have to slow dance for too long!).
There have also been sparkler fountains and I have seen one couple complete their first dance and then the bride surprise the Groom with her singing to him, accompanied by her bridesmaids and her doing a dance routine!
Cater for late-night munchies.
If you know that most of your guests will be dancing and having a good time late into the night, bringing out a few soft drinks and light snacks out later on will help to fuel them up. You could supply a crisp or doughnut wall which you can replenish when the stocks get low!
Send them home with a treat.
Say thank you by sending your guests home with a delicious treat such as a cupcake or put out a sweet trolley or table. This could even double up as a late-night snack if you want to save on costs.
Create a charging station.
Make sure that your guests can keep taking photos and recording fun videos of your day by setting up a phone charging station at your reception.
Making your wedding day extra-special for your guests doesn’t need to be complicated or cost a fortune. Sometimes it really is all in the finer details – and they remember you for it!
