Creating A Magical Wedding Experience For Your Cherished Guests

Planning a wedding is often all about the couple getting married, but it's important to make sure your guests feel special too. From welcome gifts to entertainment, there are plenty of ways to make your guests feel appreciated and ensure they have a memorable time.

- Provide welcome bags with treats and snacks

- Offer refreshments and blankets/fans depending on the weather

- Create a photo booth with fun props

- Include gifts for children

- Provide a schedule of events so guests can plan their time

- Keep guests well-fed and their glasses full

- Play songs your guests love

- Connect guests with each other beforehand so they can break the ice

Provide welcome bags with treats, snacks and mints

One of the best ways to make your wedding guests feel special is to provide them with welcome bags. These can be paper party bags or tote bags, and they can contain a variety of treats, snacks, and mints. Here are some ideas to help you create the perfect welcome bags for your wedding guests:

Choose the Right Bag

Select a bag that reflects your wedding theme or colour palette. For example, if you're having a rustic wedding, you might choose a natural-coloured tote bag with a cute design or your wedding monogram. If you're having a more formal wedding, a sleek paper bag with a ribbon handle could be a better choice.

Include a Mix of Items

Make sure to include a variety of items in your welcome bags to cater to different tastes and needs. Here are some suggestions:

• Treats: Include some sweet treats such as chocolates, cookies, or even personalised candies with your wedding date or monogram.
• Snacks: Offer a mix of savoury and sweet snacks, such as nuts, crackers, dried fruit, or granola bars.
• Mints: Freshen your guests' breath with individually wrapped mints or small tins of breath mints.
• Other useful items: Consider adding items like tissues, chapstick, headache tablets, and a small bottle of water.

Add a Personal Touch

To make your guests feel extra special, add a personalised touch to your welcome bags. You could include a handwritten note, thanking each guest for attending your wedding. You could also add a small gift that reflects your interests as a couple, such as a custom-made cookie with your wedding logo or a small plant.

Present the Bags in a Creative Way

Think about how you want to present the welcome bags to your guests. You could have them waiting in their hotel rooms, placed on their beds with a welcome sign. Alternatively, you could set up a welcome table at the entrance of your wedding venue, where guests can pick up their bags as they arrive. Decorate the table with flowers, signage, and other details that match your wedding theme.

Consider Local Treats

If your wedding has a destination theme, or many of your guests are travelling, you might want to include some local treats in your welcome bags. For example, if you're getting married in a famous wine region, include a small bottle of local wine. If your wedding is by the sea, offer some delicious seafood snacks or cookies shaped like seashells.

Offer refreshments and blankets before the ceremony

Offering refreshments and blankets to your wedding guests before the ceremony is a great way to make them feel welcome and comfortable. Here are some tips to help you execute this idea:

Choose Appropriate Refreshments

Select refreshments that will be well-received by your guests. Consider the time of day and the weather conditions when making your selection. For example, if it's a hot summer afternoon, opt for cold drinks such as iced tea, lemonade, or fruit-infused water. If it's a chilly evening, you might want to offer hot beverages like coffee, tea, or hot chocolate. You could even set up a small coffee bar or provide a variety of tea options for your guests to choose from.

Make it Accessible

Set up a designated area for refreshments, preferably near the entrance or ceremony space. This way, guests can easily access it upon arrival and during the ceremony if needed. You may also want to consider providing a variety of options, especially if you know your guests have different dietary restrictions or preferences.

Add a Special Touch

While the refreshments themselves are important, you can make this gesture even more memorable by adding a unique touch. For example, create a signature cocktail or mocktail for your guests to enjoy. You could also provide personalised cups or bottles with your wedding logo or a special message. This not only adds a bit of flair but also makes for great keepsakes or photo props!

Offer Blankets for Comfort

If your wedding is outdoors and the weather is chilly, providing blankets is an excellent way to ensure your guests remain comfortable throughout the ceremony. Choose soft, cosy blankets that complement your wedding colour scheme or theme. You can roll them up and place them in a decorative basket, or drape them over the chairs for easy access. This way, your guests can snuggle up and fully focus on celebrating your special day without being distracted by the cold.

Communicate with Your Guests

Let your guests know about these special offerings ahead of time. You can include this information on your wedding website or send out a fun announcement to build excitement. This way, they'll know what to expect and can plan accordingly, especially if they tend to get cold easily or have specific dietary needs.

By offering refreshments and blankets before the ceremony, you're not only ensuring your guests' comfort but also setting the tone for a warm and welcoming celebration. It's a simple yet thoughtful gesture that will surely be appreciated and remembered by all in attendance.

Prepare a thoughtful toast

Preparing a thoughtful wedding toast can be a daunting task, but it's a great way to make your guests feel special and valued. Here are some tips to help you deliver a memorable and meaningful toast:

Introduce Yourself and Your Relationship

Begin your toast by introducing yourself, especially if there are guests who might not know you. Explain how you know the bride or groom and give a brief overview of your relationship. This helps guests understand your connection to the newlyweds and sets the tone for your speech.

Share a Meaningful, Heartfelt Story

A great way to make your toast unique and personal is to share a story or anecdote about the couple. It could be a funny first impression, a memorable moment from their dating life, or how you knew they had found "the one." Brainstorm with close friends and family members to find a story that showcases the couple's bond and your relationship with them.

Include a Joke or Two

While your toast should be heartfelt, adding a touch of humour can lighten the mood and engage your audience. Share a funny story or quip, but avoid anything that might cause embarrassment or hurt feelings. A well-placed joke will keep your toast entertaining and help you connect with the guests.

Address Both Members of the Couple

Remember to address both the bride and the groom in your toast. Even if you are closer to one of them, include their spouse as well. Talk about their first impression of each other, the positive influence they have on each other, or any meaningful moments you've shared with them as a couple.

Keep it Short and Sweet

A good wedding toast is concise and to the point. Aim for a length of two to five minutes. You don't want to ramble on and lose your audience's attention. Practise your speech beforehand to ensure it stays within a reasonable timeframe.

Express Your Admiration and Well Wishes

The wedding toast is an opportunity to let the couple know how much they mean to you and how happy you are for them. Share your sincere wishes for their future together and express your admiration for their relationship. This is the time to be sappy and shower them with love and praise.

Memorise and Practise

While you may want to have some note cards with you, memorising your toast will make it more natural and engaging. Practise your speech beforehand, both by yourself and in front of others. This will help you feel more confident and ensure your delivery is smooth and heartfelt.

Raise Your Glass and Toast the Couple

End your speech by asking the guests to stand or raise their glasses. Lead them in a toast to the happy couple, wishing them love, happiness, and a bright future together. This is the traditional conclusion to a wedding toast and a heartfelt way to honour the newlyweds.

Provide transport and accommodation details in advance

Making your wedding guests feel special is an important part of your wedding planning. Here are some tips to ensure your guests feel welcome and well looked after when it comes to transport and accommodation:

Before the Wedding

Provide a "save the date" announcement and give your guests ample time to plan their trip. It is also a good idea to create a wedding website with all the essential information your guests will need to know. Share your favourite local restaurants, upload maps, and provide details such as the wedding date, venue address, start and end times, and expected attire. Let your guests know if there is a long walk from the parking lot to the ceremony location, and whether the ceremony is indoors or outdoors. If you are covering the cost of parking and drinks, be sure to mention this too.

During the Wedding

Welcome your guests with a sign in the hotel lobby and a personalised note delivered to their rooms. You could also include a small welcome gift, such as a bottle of champagne and some snacks. If you have guests travelling from far, consider providing a welcome basket with cosy slippers, candles, sweet treats, and a personalised thank-you note.

After the Wedding

Provide a "morning-after" treat for your guests, such as biscuits and jam or scones and tea. You could also organise a fun event, like an upbeat "after-party" or a mellow brunch.

Transport

Provide clear details about transport options to and from the wedding venue. You could offer Uber or Lyft codes so that guests can easily travel between their accommodation and the wedding venue. Alternatively, consider providing a shuttle or bus service for guests, especially if your wedding venue is in a remote location or if guests may be drinking.

By providing clear information and thoughtful touches, you can ensure that your wedding guests feel special and well taken care of throughout your celebration.

Offer childcare for younger guests

Offering childcare for younger guests is a great way to make both children and their parents feel special at your wedding. Here are some ideas to ensure that the little ones are well taken care of, giving their parents the opportunity to relax and enjoy the celebrations:

Secure a dedicated space for the children

Consider booking a separate room for the younger guests, especially if there will be many children attending the wedding. This will ensure that they have a safe and comfortable space to play and rest.

Hire professional childcare services

Engage the services of a licensed and professional babysitting or childcare service. This way, you can be assured that the children are in good hands and their parents can enjoy the wedding festivities with peace of mind.

Provide entertainment and activities for the kids

Make the day fun for the children by offering a variety of age-appropriate activities and entertainment. This could include setting up a kids' table with crafts, toys, colouring books, and activity books. You could also organise games and activities such as a treasure hunt, garden games, or a photo scavenger hunt.

Offer child-friendly food options

It is important to consider the dietary needs of your younger guests. Provide child-friendly food options such as finger foods, snacks, and treats that they will enjoy. You could even set up a dedicated kids' food station or include child-friendly options on the menu.

Create a quiet area

Weddings can be overwhelming for children, so it is a good idea to set up a quiet area where they can relax and take a break from the festivities. Include comfortable seating, soft lighting, and perhaps some quiet activities such as books or puzzles.

By implementing these ideas, you can ensure that the younger guests feel welcomed and catered to, allowing their parents to fully enjoy your special day.

Frequently asked questions