You may have visions of getting married on the top of a mountain or on a secluded beach, but that’s not what your guests have in mind. That’s not what guests want at a wedding. Think about it – most people don’t want to spend hours trudging up hillsides or down steps to get to a wedding venue. They want something convenient that offers them the amenities and conveniences that they want.
For that reason, it makes sense to find a venue that has the amenities that they will enjoy. After all, you want them to show up AND enjoy themselves on your big day. You can still put your spin on things. And if you and your spouse want to spend time out in nature, you have plenty of opportunities to do so on the honeymoon.
So what do your guests want at a wedding and appreciate most in a wedding venue? Please take a look at the following.
1. A Guide or FAQs for the Venue
Most of your guests haven’t been to your wedding venue before and won’t know what to expect before they arrive. It will be helpful if you can direct them to a website that answers all their questions, such as where they should park, which entry to use, etc. If your venue’s website doesn’t cover these types of questions, consider including it on your own wedding website.
On the wedding day, it is also helpful to have someone at the entry to help direct guests. Some venues can provide people to do this. Some of the more common things guests look for upon arrival are the location of the restrooms, and cloakrooms (if the season warrants the use of coats and wraps).
2. No Waiting to Get a Drink
People don’t mind paying for drinks at a crowded bar and expect to have to wait during a night on the town. But nobody wants to go through the same process at a wedding. Choose a venue that will provide enough bartending staff to quickly facilitate all of your guests. Want to kick it up a notch? Offer waitstaff who will serve drinks to guests as they mingle.
Start by offering wine to the people as they arrive to your reception. This will eliminate long queues at the bar. Then provide a second round of cocktails, again, on the house. Those who want extra drinks are then free to make their way to the bar without queues, later on in the evening.
3. Restroom Amenities
When it comes to restroom amenities, where you decide to host your event matters a great deal. Some venues offer little more than a urinal, and some shabby sinks. Others, however, go out of their way to make their restrooms as luxurious as possible. Think of your guests’ (and your own) comfort level here.
Some potpourri and a plentiful bathroom amenities basket in the restrooms can be a godsend. Many of your guests will have traveled a long way to be with you and will want somewhere comfortable to freshen up. Others will have wardrobe malfunctions throughout the day and need facilities to correct them. People may also injure themselves or get a blister, so offering first-aid items, like bandaids, is also important.
4. A Selection of Food
It used to be that a lot of venues would offer the same menu for every wedding. But, when it comes to food, not everyone wants to eat the same thing. Thankfully, more and more venues are getting creative with food choices, and, fortunately, provide you with options. Typically, guests will have a choice between two or three starters and mains, then a selection of desserts. Most caterers will also make accommodations for dietary requirements, adjusting the ingredients in each dish, depending on the need.
5. Beautiful Outdoor Spaces
While the majority of the wedding ceremony and reception will take place inside, guests often want some beautiful outdoor spaces where they can roam freely, maybe take a little breather from dancing.
6. Well-Stocked Welcome Bags
Some weddings start mid-morning and carry on until late at night. Some cultures celebrate over two days or more! Often times guests have been traveling for a good part of the day before they arrive to your wedding venue.
While this technically isn’t part of your venue, it is a nice gesture to offer your guests a quality, well-stocked welcome bag full of things that they need when they arrive. Include the usual sundries like water, snacks, and a program of events. Plus, you may also want to add extras like hand sanitizer and tissues, given the current public health situation.
Choosing the right wedding venue can be a challenge, as there are so many factors to consider. But getting it right can have a profoundly positive impact on the atmosphere on your big day. When you provide what guests want at a wedding, they feel relaxed and have all the conveniences that they need, they’re much more likely to have fun.
Fundamentally, that’s what makes a great wedding – one that your friends and family will enjoy. So go for it.
Photo Credit: Gde Kertayasa via Pixabay CC0 License
* This is a contributed post
I hope you found this information useful!
Hearts, Joy, Love!
Jean
For planning help and unique ideas for your wedding call or text me at 937-581-3647, or email me at [email protected]!
