2010-04-21 08:00:00 by SMARTBRIDE
Wedding Advice: What Can I Do to WOW My Wedding Guests?
When you think back to other weddings you have attended what sticks out in your mind? Was it a fabulous meal, great ambiance, wonderful service, or a fabulous speech? Did the ceremony wow you with its sentimentality? Were the gowns and suits to-die-for? Recognizing what you loved and remembered from other weddings is your starting point to create a wedding that will wow your guests!
For me, a wedding with a wow factor doesn’t have one specific thing that stands out, but rather combines many small elements including excellent service to make for a wonderful wedding.
Here's a list of services that Novice Wedding Planners and couples tend to overlook:
- Ratio of wait staff to guests
- Availability of coat check.
- Setup & tear down crew for your event
- Prep staff (for décor, catering, coordination, etc.)
- On-site event management staff (for catering, venue, décor, florals, cake, etc.)
- Proper signage at the venue
- Well thought out menus and place cards
- Invitations that set a tone
- Programs used at the ceremony, so guests understand the service
- A general flow from the ceremony to cocktails, to dinner and dancing.
The level and quality of service can and does make or break a wedding and is the top most-overlooked detail of any wedding. Why is it that we plan elaborate décor, scrumptious meals and phenomenal entertainment, but forget the importance of delivering or serving these items to guests in a way that is convenient, logical and downright interesting?
Considerations:
When considering your wedding plans I urge you to remember the importance of service when choosing vendors. If you want photos of both the bride and groom getting ready, and this is happening in different locations, then logically you will need two photographers.
If your event will have more than 200 guests in attendance, you will need an extra coat check person as well as on-site management. Put yourself in the shoes of your guests and imagine yourself as a guest who is attending your wedding. During your walk through are there any gaps or holes? Do you feel a lack of confidence or confusion or even feel as though you are not being taken care of? Figure out what you can do to fix these potential problems and you'll usually find that the answer lies in service!
Guests make a wedding, but lack of staff can break a wedding. If you truly want to WOW your guests then it’s all about how they’re treated and the services you provide to ensure you’re not the only person who feels like your receiving the royal treatment on your wedding day.
Happy Planning and Beautiful Design,
Crystal Adair-Benning
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About our Guest Blogger: Crystal Adair-Benning
Distinct Occasions is a proud boutique Wedding Planning firm based in Toronto, Canada, but with satellite offices in Glasgow, Scotland and soon Perth, Western Australia! Providing worldly inspired, creative, detailed, luxurious and intimate weddings, Crystal and her team will help you get the "ohhh" and "awww" for your special day.
More Distinct Occasions Wedding Advice from Crystal:
- How can I personalize my wedding without it looking like everyone else's "personalized wedding"?
- What are the upcoming trends in colour? Should I look to them or avoid them?
- My bridal party is all different shapes & sizes. How can I find a look that flatters them all?
- How can we save during the recession without looking cheap?
- Combining different cultural traditions for your wedding
- Opinion Management
- Is it possible to find a meal that meets everyone's needs?
- Preferred Vendor Lists - The Good, The Bad & The Ugly
- Should you feed your vendors?
- What exactly does a wedding planner do?
- Let Them Eat Cake, or Pie, or Ice Cream!
