When planning the wedding details keep in mind that you’ll be the only one to notice if the wedding flowers aren’t the exact color or if the cake tilts to the left, but wedding guests everywhere agree that the following blunders make for a horrible wedding experience…
TOP WEDDING GUESTS COMPLAINTS
Bad Timing – Long delays between the ceremony and reception are generally a bummer. If you cannot book the reception facility immediately following the ceremony, arrange for cocktails and hors d’oeuvres at another location or arrange for entertainment for your guests.
Cash Bars – A cash bar is never an acceptable money-saving solution. You or your parents are hosting the event, so think about this: you would never ask guests to pay for a cocktail in your own home; your wedding should be the same.
Stranded Guests – If the distance between the wedding reception and ceremony locations are far apart or far from accommodations, you should provide guest transportation. Besides the safety concerns of drinking and driving, your guests should remember what an amazing time they had at your wedding – not what a hassle it was to get there.
Accommodations – Failing to provide information for convenient and affordable accommodations for long distance guests never goes over well. Don’t force guests to be their own travel agents, and don’t secure the only room block at a 5 star hotel unless all of your guests have 5 star budgets.
Silent or Tardy Dinner – If your reception falls during meal time, your guests will be expecting just that – a meal. Guests will also want to be fed during normal times, so don’t expect to serve dinner at 9:00 at night.
Ungracious Bride and Groom – Failing to acknowledge any gift or thoughtful gesture with hand-written, personalized thank you notes is always an etiquette faux pas and it will never be forgotten. Be sure to write your thank yous, send these no later than 2 months following the wedding!!
Tacky & Cheesy Festivities – When it comes to money dances, novelty songs (hokey pokey or chicken dance), singles dances or cake smashing – most guests are in agreement that they’d just as soon not see it. Of course, there will always be those who find these acts acceptable and those who don’t – but as hosts of the event, your job is to make guests feel at ease and comfortable – so best to err on the safe side and refrain from these potential blunders.
At one time or another, we’ve all been a guest at a wedding, and many of us have a few things we’d like to get off our chest. If you’ve got a gripe – please share!
I hope these tips will help you have a wonderful wedding day filled with happy wedding guests!
Until Next Time...Happy Planning!
I think a highly tacky thing people can do is order a fancy cake that serves only a portion of the guests, and get sheet cake for the rest. If it's a matter of budget, skip the fancy cake all together. I can't imagine having to decide who gets the nice 4 inch tall filled and delicious wedding cake, versus those who will receive a dumpy chunk of slab cake. I'm old fashioned though, because I view a wedding as a time to honor your family and spoil your guests as a thank you for supporting your vows and being your friends.
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