Wedding Bathroom Etiquette: Guests' Access During The Ceremony

It's your wedding day, and you want everything to be perfect. But one thing that is often overlooked is the bathroom situation for your guests. Whether you're having an indoor or outdoor wedding, it's important to consider the comfort and needs of your guests. From the number of bathrooms available to the placement and amenities provided, here's everything you need to know about making sure your guests have a pleasant experience when nature calls during your wedding ceremony.

How to communicate to guests about the bathroom situation

Communicating the bathroom situation to your wedding guests is an important aspect of your wedding planning. Here are some detailed and direct instructions on how to go about it:

Before the Wedding

It is a good idea to inform your guests about the bathroom situation in advance, especially if you are having an outdoor wedding or using porta-potties. This information can be included on your wedding website or sent out via email or word of mouth. This will allow guests to plan their clothing and footwear choices accordingly. You may also want to mention that the venue is completely outdoors and provide recommendations on footwear to avoid any mishaps with porta-potties.

On the Wedding Day

Signage:

Use clear and polite signage to direct guests to the appropriate bathrooms. For example, a sign on the door of the house could say, "Unfortunately, our septic system is out of order. Please use the washrooms located [location]." This provides a valid reason and directs guests to the correct location. Alternatively, you could use a cute sign on the doorknob or entranceway, such as "Wedding party only" or "You're going the wrong way; the wedding is behind you."

Announcements:

You can also ask the officiant or a member of the wedding party to make an announcement before the ceremony, stating the location of the washrooms. This can be done as part of a list of other practical announcements, such as the timing of cocktails and dinner.

Accessibility:

Ensure that the bathrooms are easily accessible and well-lit, especially if your wedding continues into the evening. Place them in a location that is easy to find and not too far from the main celebration area.

Aesthetics and Amenities:

To dress up the bathrooms, consider adding flowers, toiletry baskets, pretty soaps, and candles. For porta-potties, stock them with hand sanitizer, assorted toiletries, seat covers, flushable baby wipes, and spray. Lighting is also crucial, especially after dark, to prevent accidents.

Restocking:

Assign someone to keep an eye on the bathrooms throughout the event and restock any necessary items. This will ensure your guests always have access to the essentials.

After the Wedding

If you have leftover items from your bathroom baskets or extra toiletries, you can use them to stock the guest bathroom in your home or keep them for future travel. Alternatively, you can donate unused products to local charities, churches, or schools for hygiene kits.

By following these instructions, you can effectively communicate the bathroom situation to your wedding guests and ensure they have a comfortable and enjoyable experience during your special day.

What to include in a wedding bathroom basket

Wedding bathroom baskets are a small but thoughtful touch that your guests will appreciate. They can help liven up your reception's restrooms and are a great opportunity to highlight your wedding colour palette. They also provide your guests with items they might need throughout the night.

Essential Items

• Pain relievers (ibuprofen and paracetamol)
• Stain-removing sticks
• Individually packaged breath mints or gum
• Makeup or baby wipes
• Disposable face masks

First-Aid Items

• Plasters
• Antihistamines
• Hand sanitiser

Beauty Items

• Hairspray
• Blotting papers
• Lip balm
• Deodorant spray
• Feminine hygiene products

Miscellaneous Items

• Tissues
• Cups
• Eye drops
• Snacks

It is important to stock your wedding bathroom basket with essentials that are tailored to your guest list. For example, if you are inviting children to the wedding, include some age-appropriate supplies, such as kid-friendly medicine, baby wipes, or colourful bandages.

You should also consider the weather, season, and location of your wedding. For instance, if you're having an outdoor summer reception, you might want to include sunscreen, bug spray, or blotting papers. During the winter, cough drops, lip balms, or hand lotion can help battle the effects of cold weather.

Tips for creating the perfect wedding bathroom basket

Wedding bathroom baskets are a small but thoughtful touch that your guests and wedding party will appreciate. They can help liven up your reception's restrooms and are a great opportunity to highlight your wedding colour palette. They also provide your guests with items they might need throughout the night.

The Assembly Process

While you and your partner should have the final say in what goes into your bathroom basket, consider delegating the assembly process to someone in your wedding party. You can also check in with your wedding planner or venue coordinator to see if they provide their own pre-made version as an add-on to your package.

The Basket's Aesthetic

There are no rules when it comes to the aesthetic of your wedding bathroom basket, but you should try to match the décor and style of your event. Incorporate your colour scheme or personalise your basket with your and your partner’s last name. You can even make it part of your bathroom décor with fresh flowers or incorporate details from your reception tables.

Sanitation and Hygiene

“I would personally advise that you purchase a basket or organiser that can be easily disinfected—i.e. stainless steel or plastic,” advises wedding planner Kylie Carlson. “It may not be the most decorative or appealing, but it’s better to have a clean basket that you know multiple people will be touching.”

What to Include

Remember that your wedding bathroom basket is meant to help guests during a time of need, so try to only stock it with items that are absolutely helpful. Avoid beauty items such as roll-on deodorant and stick to the absolute essentials. Here are some ideas:

• Pain relievers (ibuprofen and Tylenol)
• Stain-removing sticks
• Individually packaged breath mints or gum
• Makeup or baby wipes
• Disposable face masks
• First-aid items
• Hand sanitiser
• Sunscreen
• Bug spray
• Lip balm

Porta-potties: to light or not to light?

Porta-potties are often judged as stinky places full of strange sights and smells. However, this doesn't have to be the case, and with the right accessories and decorations, they can become luxurious.

If you're using porta-potties at your wedding, you'll want to make sure they're accessible, polished, and sanitary for your guests. One way to do this is by using lighting.

It is common for weddings to continue into the evening, and hosts often overlook the importance of visibility. Once it gets dark, your porta-potties can become very dark, so it's a good idea to use lighting to illuminate the area. This can be as simple as stringing up some Christmas lights or Japanese lanterns, or you could use flameless candles or LED lights to provide a little light and ambiance.

If you're renting your porta-potties, it's important to inform the company that you'll be customising the units. Most providers will be okay with decorations and decals that use adhesives, but they may have reservations about anything that could permanently damage the portable bathroom, such as metal nails.

To avoid an eyesore, you could also try to hide the porta-potties with clever decorations. Some couples have chosen to create a functioning "wall" with old doors and chalk paint, or use a panel of fencing to hide the potties and provide a space for guests to freshen up.

With a little creativity, your porta-potties can be a clean and convenient option for your guests, and you can even play up the theme of your wedding with decorations and accessories.

How many bathrooms are enough?

Ensuring that your guests are comfortable and have everything they need is an important part of hosting a wedding. Restrooms are often overlooked, but they are essential to the smooth running of your big day.

The number of bathrooms you need will depend on the number of guests. Wedding planner Lyndsey Hamilton recommends having one bathroom per 25 guests. For a wedding of 150-175 people, she suggests three to four stalls for women and three stalls for men. If your wedding is smaller, you may only need to rent three or four stalls in total, but it's a good idea to consult with your planner and the coordinator at your wedding location before placing an order.

Other Considerations

• Placement: Make sure the bathrooms are not located too far from the main area, but also not in full view of guests or near where they are eating.
• Queueing space: Ensure there is plenty of space around the bathrooms, so guests can queue comfortably if necessary.
• Lighting: If your wedding will continue into the evening, provide good lighting near the bathrooms, so guests can find their way safely.
• Signage: Clear signage will help direct guests to the bathrooms and can also be used to politely inform them of any restrictions, such as "Please do not use the bathrooms inside the house."
• Attendant: Consider hiring a restroom attendant to assist guests and keep the facilities well-stocked and tidy.
• Amenities: Little touches like flowers, candles, and toiletry baskets can make a big difference in helping your guests feel comfortable and cared for.

Bathroom Baskets

In addition to providing adequate facilities, you may also want to create bathroom baskets with essentials and emergency items for your guests. These can include items such as:

• Pain relievers
• Stain-removing sticks
• Individually packaged breath mints or gum
• Makeup or baby wipes
• Sunscreen and bug spray (for outdoor weddings)
• Feminine hygiene products
• Deodorant
• Baby powder
• Mini bottles of perfume and aftershave
• Hair accessories
• First aid items

Communicating Bathroom Arrangements to Guests

It is a good idea to communicate the bathroom situation to your guests in advance, especially if you are using portable toilets or there are any restrictions on using indoor facilities. You can do this via your wedding website, word of mouth, or signage at the venue.

Making Portable Toilets More User-Friendly

If you are using portable toilets, there are several things you can do to make them more comfortable and accessible for your guests:

• Provide good lighting, both inside and outside the toilets.
• Ensure there are handwashing facilities, such as a foot-pump hand-washing station.
• Stock them with hand sanitizer and assorted toiletries.
• Provide clear instructions on how to use the toilets, especially if there are any special requirements, such as a foot pump to flush.
• Keep them well-maintained and stocked throughout the event.

By considering the number of bathrooms and implementing these additional tips, you can ensure your guests have a comfortable and enjoyable experience at your wedding.

Frequently asked questions