How to Enhance Your Guests’ Experience

There are so many things to remember when you’re thinking about your wedding guests. They need a place to stay and directions to your venue, but they’ll also enjoy some thoughtful wedding additions that make them feel extra loved. Read this guide to learn how to enhance your guests’ experience beyond a great cocktail menu or buffet dinner.

1. Provide Free Transportation

Whether you’re hosting a local or destination wedding, many of your guests might fly or drive a long distance to attend. After selecting a hotel for your guests and arranging a room block, get quotes from local bus companies to find out how much it will cost to shuttle them throughout your wedding day. They’ll appreciate the free ride after a night of celebrating and it’ll minimize their potential stress about driving around an unfamiliar city.

2. Create Welcome Bags

Couples often leave notes at their selected hotel’s front desk. The receptionists pass the notes out when each guest arrives, helping you personally thank each of them for attending while you’re busy enjoying pre-wedding activities.

Take your welcome effort up a notch by making welcome bags, too. You could fill them with mini snack bags, fuzzy slippers and mini liquor bottles paired with hand-rolled cigars so everyone can relax in pristine comfort after a long day of traveling.

From The Hip Photo

3. Host an Open Bar

No one wants to attend an event and get stuck with a terrible drink. It’s an instant way to ruin any guest’s mood, so get quotes for an open bar at your reception. Everyone will get to select whatever drink they want from a much longer menu, ensuring everyone's satisfaction.

Expert mixologists recommend arranging one bottle of wine per person or at least two beers for each guest. You can also discuss your cocktail options with your selected bartending company. They’ll help you arrange custom drinks themed to your wedding for extra fun flair at your reception.

4. Arrange Live Music

Live music makes any event extra special. Seeing the musicians do what they love is more enchanting than waiting for a playlist to get to a good song. Hire a local band to play your reception music so your wedding is an incredible experience for everyone.

If the band will perform outside, keep your guests comfortable with picnic blankets that don’t absorb water so they stay dry and clean while lounging on the grass. Families with little kids who just want to play with their toys will also appreciate the extra flexibility alongside your outdoor reception chairs and any other seating arrangements you choose.

The Radio Band | Caroline's Collective (photo)

5. Offer Games and Activities

While many people love dancing at weddings, some guests might need a break from the dance floor. It can be fun to offer alternative activities during your reception to keep people entertained.

A photobooth is a classic option, because guests can have fun with props and take their photo strip home as a memento. Another option is to set up games. If your venue is outside, guests will have a blast playing lawn games. Inside, you can have a board game or card table. Blackjack is an easy and affordable option, because all you need is a few decks of cards to play.

6. Add Extra Seating

There’s no such thing as too much seating at a wedding. Save yourself from a standing-room-only situation by arranging a few different options throughout your venue. You could rent creative options like velvet chairs that add contemporary flair to your ceremony and chic lounge furniture for your outdoor reception. It all depends on your personal preferences, your wedding’s theme and which venue you choose.

7. Schedule Quick Dance Lessons

Couples often take a few dance lessons before their wedding, but guests may feel left out of the fun during your reception. If they don’t know at least a few trusty dance moves, they may not want to jump on the dance floor with you. Consider hiring a local dance teacher to attend your reception. They could reserve a corner of your venue for any guests who want to learn simple moves and dance the night away with you.

8. Set Up a Kiddie Corner

Young kids don’t always find weddings fun. They might get upset after more than a half hour without something to do. Plan a few child-focused entertainment options for your wedding to enhance your guests’ experience.

Little ones of all ages could practice their hand-eye coordination on a custom miniature golf course, get their faces painted or jump in a bounce house. Younger children might enjoy a nursery a bit farther away from the loud reception music. Hire a babysitter or two so parents can get a few minutes by themselves to ensure everyone has a great time at your wedding.

From The Hip Photo

9. Prepare an Artist’s Booth

It might seem like typical wedding guests just want a snack, a drink and some good music, but industry trends prove otherwise. Sixty-one percent of couples provide extra entertainment for their guests beyond upbeat dance songs. Get creative by hiring local artists to set up booths around your venue.

Guests can pay a local painter for a 10-minute portrait of themselves, sit down with a temporary tattoo artist or get permanent ink during your reception. People of all ages might also love chatting with a hairstylist and getting things like sparkly extensions woven into their hair.

Use this opportunity to create a once-in-a-lifetime memory for yourself too, like riding a horse-drawn carriage at your wedding. Businesses like the Kodiak Ranch Clydesdales verify their horses are comfortable in heat and snow so you don’t have to worry about the weather ruining your guests’ night. You’ll get the exact experience you’re dreaming about and have an incredible time with everyone you love.

Enhance Your Guests’ Experience at Your Wedding

Use these ideas to heighten your guests’ fun at your wedding, no matter your venue or theme. You’ll create a dreamy day for everyone and make memories that last a lifetime. All it takes is a little creativity while planning your ceremony and reception.

Author bio: Cora Gold is a wedding writer and editor of Revivalist magazine. She aims to inspire couples to achieve the wedding of their dreams. Connect with Cora on LinkedIn, Pinterest and Twitter.