As a wedding GUEST are there things that you really do not care about or notice much?

I feel awful saying this because I know how much we put into planning, but honestly I don't notice much. I remember food and alcohol and that's about it. Maybe I've never been to a wedding that's been so spectacular it's memorable but I've just never been wowed by wedding decor or details. We are going to a wedding in a couple of weeks and it'll be the first we've been to since ours. I'm curious to see if I pay more attention to the details. I'm sure I will at this one because I know they had an unlimited budget and the bride doesn't do anything less than a million percent.

Out right, no I don't remember much. We go to a bunch of weddings every year. 8 this year. 4 last year. 4 the year before that. Unless I sit here and think really hard, I don't remember much. Even then I don't remember centerpieces or flowers unless I was a bm and holding a bouquet. What stands out is if something was really bad (the ceremony where no one knew if food was being served so half the attendants went to Taco Bell) or if it was over the top amazing (friends' beer unity ceremony and her vows). After attending so many, they start to blur a bit.

The crowd, food, drink, and colour scheme/decor. I love flowers so they are usually of specific interest.

I always pay attention to the decor And the overall feel of a wedding (do things look put together, is there a good flow from one event to the next, are people having fun, are people stressed,etc). Also the food.

I remember things if they were really good, or really bad. The rest turns into a blur after a while. I remember what the dresses looked like overall (style and length) but not the details.

I remember one friend's wedding really well as she had unique touches - they rode to the reception on a tandem bike, had hand painted vases with wildflowers, made all the favours (beaded bracelets which I still have somewhere, 10 years later), and had lawn games.

Most other weddings, to be honest, I only really remember bits I thought weren't so great.

I remember: bad food, especially when I notice they spent a lot on the linens and flowers and cheap-ed out on the food; centerpieces and food I did like; and overall fun. I went to one wedding almost 20 years ago and still remember how much fun I had at it.

I don't remember much about the details, hence why I am skipping favors, flowers on the tables, more than one entree choice, etc. People will be eat, dance, and drink and be fine.

I honestly remember more about who I sat by, who I danced with, how drunk I got when all the guys left to smoke cigars and I didn't know anyone else. So for me it's more about the people. In that sense, we invited as many people as we could fit and have allowed everyone to bring a plus one (date or even a friend) so that everyone can enjoy spending time with us and one another. This will also be a key factor in how we assign tables.

Decor is big thing. If it looks cheap, it totally turns me off. Good food is important and a cash bar is a NO-NO.

I remember food. I don't remember flowers or what the chairs look like. I don't remember their first dance song unless it's different.

Usually, the only thing I can remember about the dress is whether or not it was strapless. If it is, I will rarely remember any other detail.

I remember the dancing and the time I had.

I never remember much about the ceremony. I always remember the general ambiance of a reception, which is made up of all the little details put together. Even thought I never remember any of the little details themselves-- decorations, lighting, food, favors, etc.-- they are important because they are what makes or breaks the ambiance of a room. I usually remember the music (whether it was good or bad). And I remember when things go wrong, like at my cousin's wedding when they ran out of alcohol very early in the evening.

Honestly, I don't remember much of the decor. It took me half way through dinner to notice my friend's centerpieces matched our bouquets. After planning a wedding, I am more aware of these items, but I just remember the following: bride's dress, their colors, food, and the atmosphere.

I always remember the flowers and the food in that order. Everything else I couldn't tell you about. But those are the two things am all about so I tend to remember them however someone more fashion orientated will probably remember dress etc.

Basically, I remember if the wedding was a pain in my butt.

Was it in a really impractical location, on a Friday or Sunday night? Were there a ton of boring speeches, slideshows and other performance stuff? Was there a big gap between the ceremony and reception, a sense of chaos/disorganization, a lot of milling around or not being able to find a seat?

Did I feel like a cherished guest, or an extra in the couple's Wedding Day Extravaganza Movie?

Did the couple seem happy and beaming, or stressed and cranky?

Was there enough to eat and drink, and was it easy to access or were there long lines and a lot of hassle?

Did everyone seem to be having a good time, or is everyone bored/arguing/leaving early?

I've only been to one wedding as a guest and that was back in 1990. I was 21. I remember the bride's dress, the inside of the church, the venue and the chicken I ordered. I remembered I didn't like the chicken. It was boiled and kind of tasteless. I don't remember what it came with. I don't remember any appetizers nor centerpieces nor the cake. I remember the dinner tables were round. I remember it was a cheapie wedding, the couple were only 21, so they didn't have money and their parents probably paid what they could afford.

We've been planning with this in mind. Of the weddings I've been at/in during the last 10 years - I remember the awful, tall centerpieces that blocked my view of everyone else at the table (2 different weddings), I remember the awesome venues (2 weddings), I remember if the food was awful (1 wedding), and I remember if I danced and had fun (8 of 9 weddings). I'm making sure I have relatively low, simple centerpieces, I have an awesome venue, and the food is good but not uber expensive. Everything else is about having fun. (the no fun wedding was outdoor with no indoor options and it rained. That would have been okay - but the dj was also awful and the food was ehh.)

I am a very detail-oriented person, so I do notice the little things. I also used to be a florist, so I always look at the centerpieces. Never judging, just noticing. I remember things that are unique or different. Like if someone had really gorgeous/grand centerpieces, yes I'll remember that.

Specifically, I went to a wedding last July. I remember they had passed hors d'eourves because the waitress would just walk right past us, and we were left feeling hungry! I remember she had hydrangea and roses in a low vase - nothing grand but simple and very beautiful. (I probably only remember this because, at the time, I was working for a florist affiliated with the shop from which she got hers). I don't remember if she had chair covers or not, but I would have noticed if my chair was stained or something (you'll have that issue regardless of where you host your event) or if she had fun/bright linens. I would also notice plastic tablecloths... if I or someone nearby spills their drink, guess where it's going? Yep, our laps! At least a cloth one will soak up the mess.

Photo booths... I think if your guests get to take home their photos, you obviously will remember that! I mean, I guess if they don't want to keep the photo then maybe that's a waste. I think they provide entertainment for a guest who might not be into dancing, or may be shy.

I have been to weddings and never noticed there was no favor until somebody brought it up. Also, I still use glass coasters from a wedding that was 9 years ago.

The things I remember most about weddings are the things that stood out. I've only been to one wedding with a photo booth, and it was so much fun! I remember that. I generally don't remember much about the food, but I went to a wedding that had create your own pasta for dinner, and that was unique and fun. I remember if it was a fun wedding, like my sister's, where pretty much the dance floor was full all night, and everyone was having a great time. I don't drink very often, so I'll notice if people (especially the bridal party) are drunk. And the music/dancing. I remember that.

I love this post, this definitely makes you think about the stress level you are encountering for things people really don't care about. My angst is timing. I hate to wait for an ungodly time for folks to get done taking photos or to eat food. So I am really working hard on my timeline and doing a lot of pre-photos so that I can enjoy being with my guest. I too don't remember too many wedding favors but I do recall being at some very beautiful weddings with lovely centerpieces. I even have a few arrangements decorating my home. Good and plentiful food and drinks is also a stress point for me. I can remember a few weddings where there was not enough food and they ran out of soft drinks and alcohol. Last but not least, good music that is diverse and not super loud that folks cannot talk.

Skip everything you don't want...most of the things that stick out to me are if they were added in and come across as negative: centerpieces too big and you can't see over them, aisle decorations you trip over trying to get into seat, favors that look forced and cheap or else ridiculously expensive for something no one cares about anyway, speeches that were overly awkward or overly long.,,the list goes on. I have never noticed if these things were absent, just been a bit annoyed when they were in the way. I couldn't really tell you what a single cake looked like, although I do remember a some tasting particularly good and a couple that weren't that good at all. If the food is scanty portions, cold, or not very good that stands out.

The main thing that stands out to me is how the couple interacts. Some weddings are lovely because the couple can't stop looking at each other and smiling. I always feel awkward when there is obvious stress or tension and one or both seems too busy to be with the other and be getting married.