They say a wedding should be all about the couple. However, in reality, the soon-to-be-weds have to also consider the effort guests put into attending their celebration. While the important details should still be left to the couple, factoring in the guest experience ensures a pleasant celebration for all.
Unfortunately, this bride, who planned an extravagant long-week wedding, didn’t think about her invitees, especially her maid of honor. On top of travel and rental car costs to get to a remote location, she was offered to sleep in a tent, which prompted her to turn to people online and ask if her best friend’s wedding planning was a bit off the rails.
Scroll down to find the full story and conversation with Makayla Mowe, marketing and production coordinator at Emily Coyne Events, who kindly agreed to chat with us more about the guest experience at weddings.
While a wedding is all about the couple, the guests shouldn't also be forgotten
Image credits: Edward Cisneros / unsplash (not the actual photo)
Unfortunately, this bride seemed to put her guests on the back-burner, causing her maid of honor to doubt her wedding planning
Image credits: Getty Images / unsplash (not the actual photo)
Image credits: Weddingadviceplease
75% of couples prioritize the guest experience when planning their wedding
The Knot 2023 Real Weddings study revealed that 75% of couples prioritized the guest experience when organizing their celebration. The study of nearly 10,000 newlywed couples found that for most couples, it was important to create an unforgettable experience for all by putting guests on center stage.
"Ensuring that guests have an unforgettable experience is paramount in wedding planning," agrees Makayla Mowe, marketing and production coordinator at Emily Coyne Events. "We believe that the way guests feel within the space is what they remember most vividly. By focusing on the entire experience rather than just the visual design, we create events that resonate deeply with all guests, making each wedding not only beautiful but also seamlessly orchestrated."
However, there are still 25% who make the deliberate or unintentional mistake of overlooking their invitees, making their experience less pleasant. It’s likely that the couple’s loved ones have traveled from wide and far to attend their wedding, which means they have made a significant investment. So you can probably imagine their disappointment if their efforts to attend a wedding are disrespected by the newlyweds.
Ignoring the wedding guest experience could entail something as simple as having an overly busy schedule or making them wait too long between the ceremony and reception, leaving them bored and uncomfortable. Or it could be something more serious, like not considering mobility or dietary restrictions and accommodation or travel costs.
The most important thing is to ensure that neither the couple nor the guests feel uncomfortable during the celebration
Image credits: Getty Images / unspalsh (not the actual photo)
Something that a couple can do to help guests have a more pleasant experience is to have them save on the overall costs needed to attend their wedding. In case the couple isn’t covering the invitees' accommodation and travel expenses, they should send the invitations as early as possible so attendees can book travel and accommodation arrangements well in advance, taking advantage of better prices.
In addition, the couple could provide a list of budget-friendly places to stay so guests don’t have to think too much about it while saving money. Choosing a location for the ceremony and reception that is easily accessible from most guests’ accommodations can also help guests minimize their travel expenses.
For the guests’ sake, the soon-to-be newlyweds should avoid requiring very specific or expensive dress codes. Instead, they could encourage guests to repurpose their outfits or provide minor attire guidelines.
Of course, the celebration isn’t just about the money. It's also important to consider other things that would make guests comfortable. Like, for example, clear communication.
"To keep guests comfortable, our advice to couples is to prioritize smooth transitions between the event’s formalities and maintain clear, ongoing communication with your guests. By minimizing downtime and providing a proactive schedule and updates, you can enhance the overall guest experience. This approach ensures that every aspect of your wedding day is thoughtfully orchestrated so that both you and your guests can enjoy every moment to the fullest," Mowe explained.
"Anticipating guest comfort is key to creating a seamless and memorable event," she added. "If the forecast calls for chilly weather, consider offering pashminas or cozy blankets as the evening cools. In warmer conditions, welcome guests with a refreshing beverage, tray-passed bottled water misters, or chilled towels. These thoughtful details not only enhance the guest experience but also leave a lasting impression."
The most important thing is to ensure that neither the couple nor the guests feel uncomfortable during the celebration. At the end of the day, a wedding is all about celebrating connection, joy, and love. By keeping this in mind, couples have an easy guide on how to create an enjoyable experience for all.
Readers suggests that the maid of honor rethinks her decision to go to the wedding
