Are Your Family and Friends Comfortable on Your Wedding Day

As the couple, you are the guests of honor of a pretty significant milestone event.  Family, friends and colleagues are going out of their way to ensure that the both of you are honored, happy and comfortable all day. So, what can you do to ensure that your friends and family are comfortable on your wedding day?

Four Missteps To Avoid on Your Wedding Day

To ensure that your wedding guests are as comfortable as you, I recommend that you avoid the wedding planning missteps below.

Wedding Day Dress Codes

Simply saying, “Come Dress to Impress” is definitely not the instructions you want to give your wedding guests.  Sure, your “fashionistas” wedding guests will know exactly what to wear. But, the rest of your guests will find clever phrases about attire to be confusing.  If noting the proper attire is important to you, then go with the most popular terms, such as “Casual, Semi-Formal, Formal or Black Tie.”  Or better yet, explain what you mean in detail (i.e., Black Tie = Tuxedos and Ball Gowns).  Everyone tends to get that.

Valet Parking

Please allow me to clarify – Having a cute young guy take your car and park it for you can be “quite” comfortable.  Not knowing that you had to pay for the valet parking isn’t.  If your budget can afford it, I recommend that you cover the cost of valet parking for your guests.  If you cannot cover the cost of valet parking for your wedding guests, please be sure to note the valet parking fee on your map/direction card.  If you don’t want to pay AND you don’t want your wedding guests to pay, then seek out wedding venues that offer free parking.

Inappropriate Wedding Toasts or Garter Removals

Sure, nothing is probably funnier than hearing about the bride’s risqué antics at her Vegas bachelorette party, but it may be a little difficult for her grandma, godmother and (gulp) dad to hear.  As tempting as the revealing toasts may be, I recommend you keep them rated G for the ease of everyone involved.  The same goes for the garter removal.

“Monetary Gifts Preferred”

Given the state of our economy, I can understand a couple’s need for cash. But, your wedding invitation has one purpose, and that is to invite your guests to the wedding.  Anything regarding your gift preferences on your wedding invitations would be considered inappropriate and off-putting.  If cash is what you need the most, I recommend the following:

• Tell your close friends and your immediate family about your gift preference so they can share this information with anyone that is interested.
• Don’t register for gifts.  It sends a mixed message. Please understand that some guests will buy gifts anyhow.  If you have a bridal shower, let the shower host know so that she can relay this information to your shower guests.

A Cash Bar

Speaking of money, nothing sucks the cash out of your wedding budget like an open bar.  So, I can totally understand why a cash bar would be tempting.  But, even in the most contemporary circles, cash bars are considered un-cool.  It’s like inviting friends into your home and asking them to pay for the wine that you served at dinner.  If you are trying to stay within your wedding budget, but you would like to serve alcohol, consider the following tips:

• Purchase your own alcohol.  Some venues will allow you to bring in your own alcohol as long as you pay a corkage fee.  (But be careful.  A corkage fee can send the price right back up!)
• Talk to your caterer and explain your budget for beverages.  Caterers deal with this all of the time, and they can probably make a few less expensive recommendations.
• Serve alcohol during your cocktail hour only.
• Serve a signature drink only.

Try to Remember to Keep Your Guests in Mind As You Plan Your Wedding

So, there you have it!  Avoiding these missteps may take a little forethought, but it’s well worth the effort to ensure that your wedding guests are comfy and having fun!

Ready to Get Started Creating a “Guest Focused Wedding Day?

Please contact the professional wedding planning team at Howerton+Wooten Events when you are ready to create an elegant wedding day that feels intentional, immersive, authentic and “guest focused.”

Love and Soul Always, Kawania

Photo: Joshua Dwain Photography