Think you're planning the perfect party? Not so fast.Want to know what guests really think waiting for the bridal party to arrive, late-night drinking, and seating arrangements?
To spare your friends and family the kinds of things that make guests grit their teeth,
here are some common complaints and some advice to let you know what you need to know to make your wedding rave-worthy.
Complaint: "I hate long receiving lines. I once went to a wedding with over 300 guests and I sat in the last row of the church. Therefore, I was also the last row to leave the church. I had to wait for more than an hour to get to the receiving line and to exit the church."
Suggestion: After the bridal party and family exit the church, allow the other guests to leave at their leisure, rather than be dismissed row-by-row, which can often take a really long time.
Complaint: "I dread those receiving lines with about ten people in them, including the entire wedding party. I suppose it's great for the very few guests who know the bride and groom's families and all of their wedding party pals. But most of us just want to congratulate the couple and their parents. Unfortunately, you always get stuck making chitchat with a stranger in a bridesmaid dress who doesn't particularly care who you are, either, while the people in front of you hug the bride."
Suggestion: Have a shorter receiving line that includes just the bride and groom and their parents. Opt to forgo the receiving line altogether, but make sure that the bride and groom make their way around to every table to thank the guests for being in attendance.
Complaint: "I don't like long pauses between the ceremony and reception, as it is terribly inconvenient for out-of-town guests."
Suggestion: If you and your bridal party will be taking photos immediately after the ceremony, you should definitely plan for an organized cocktail/appetizer/social hour where the guests can mingle, relax, have a bite to eat and something to drink prior to the bridal party arriving for the
reception. Be sure to include some comfortable chairs and a few tables in the space where they will be waiting for to you to arrive.
Complaint: "My wife and I recently went to a wedding on a Sunday evening, and we had to be at work the next day. The ceremony was at 5 p.m., the reception wasn't until about 6:30, and dinner wasn't even served until 8. The meal was finished around 9:30, and most of the guests were not from the area where the wedding took place. We left before the reception was over, and still didn't make it home until midnight."
Suggestion: Be sure to have your wedding coordinator assist you with a reception time line that allows for perfect flow for the evening, so that the event does not move along too quickly or too slowly. Most guests are ready to leave the reception about 4-5 hours after arriving for the ceremony. Very few guests will party with you until Midnight, as much as you would like them to! Make sure that dinner is ready to be served within 10 minutes of when you and your bridal party make their grand entrance.
Complaint: "If your ceremony ends at 5 p.m. and the reception starts at 6 p.m., you can assume that guests will be heading for the reception hall immediately following, so maybe it's best to book the location from 5:30 on. It's so awful to feel like an eager beaver and just be waiting in the reception hall lobby until the party officially 'begins."
Suggestion: Indicate on your wedding ceremony program what will happen after the ceremony has concluded. You might want to let your guests know about a cocktail hour immediately following the ceremony, as well as the time that the dinner reception will begin. That way guests know how much time they have in between the ceremony and reception to do whatever they wish to do.
Complaint: "I hate when people decorate the pews and altar in their church after guests are already seated. I have been to two weddings where I watched the attendants or friends attach flowers and bows to the pews and set up candles at the altar while all the seated guests watched. It looked so disorganized and informal."
Suggestion: NEVER do this! All elements should be in place completely prior to guest's arrival! Hire a qualified wedding coordinator who will take care of any last minute details.
Complaint: "I went solo to a friend's casual wedding in Atlanta, where I didn't know anyone but the groom. Since there were no table assignments, I had literally nowhere to sit. All the seats were in use or were 'reserved' with jackets and bags."
Suggestion: Make sure that everyone has a proper place to sit. This includes not over-looking the single guest. Seat or table assignments take care of this problem and add a nice element of detail to your event at the same time.
For more wedding day suggestions, tips and ideas, visit
Liane McCombs Wedding & Event Planning
or call 775 . 771 . 1730
