Making Guests Feel Special

I worry about that too because I worry about everything but I feel like as long as you take their comfort into consideration and you at least thank every person for being there and say hello to them, they will be fine! They'll understand that you have a lot going on also

I can't afford the open bar. I'm feeling like people will be disappointed

Have you heard of ring warming? I was recently at an Italian wedding where they did it and found it very charming. Wish our guest list was small enough to make it feasible.

@Melissa you mean I can't bring these to your wedding?!?!?

@Dorrie, what does that mean? Beer and wine at least all night?

I'm paying extra to have an open bar the entire night with premium liquor.

I recently went to a wedding where I really felt like the hosts HOSTED us well. There was a short ceremony (with pre ceremony beverages), fans for programs because the ceremony was outside, then immediately following, a reception at the same location, champagne toast for each guest, a full open bar with plenty of items during cocktail hour, and a wonderful

3 course plated dinner. The speeches were minimal and the couple came to each table to speak to everyone and thanked us for being there. The DJ had everyone on the dance floor all night. Then, there were some late night foods for us too! It was a very fun wedding and I just could tell they spent their money on things that would matter to guests (food, drinks, DJ, and genuine hospitality). I hope people leave my wedding feeling the same way I felt when I left that wedding!

You could include a song request on your rsvp's. It will get them pumped when their song comes on!

I agree with PPs that bride & groom going to talk to guests is awesome. One thing that stood out to me was my moms bff's daughter's wedding. She knew me when I was a baby, I was 16 at the time, but the bride & groom each wrote their guests a small hand written note personal to each guest. It was SO cool to me that I got a note from a beautiful bride as a teenager. I think I will try to do these for my guests in lieu of favors

We are focusing on food, booze and DJ. We have indoor venues for the ceremony and reception-both with AC and heat, because September in upstate NY could go either way. This is all based on some pretty crappy things that happened at weddings I have been to. Just try and think of the little things, don't seat your 90 year old grandma right in front of the DJ. The summer I was pregnant with my first son I went to 3 summer weddings and the ceremonies were outdoors and just so uncomfortable, one of them didn't even have chairs at the ceremony-I am a pale ginger and I got a sunburn in 30 mins at 2pm. One reception was dry-as soon as you walked in the mood was so somber, then I was seated in a weird corner that was hard to get to (and 8 months pregnant) when we were called to the buffet there was only corn and rolls left. I STILL talk shit about this wedding 10 years later because it was so horrible. FH and I left immediately. OMG, I almost forgot, there was a 2 hour break between the ceremony and reception-I guess we should have gotten food.

Good food, drinks, and entertainment! Talk to everyone individually and thank them for coming.

I felt special as a guest when they had free valet and as we waited for our carbat the end of the evening, they passed out mini warm doughnuts (or churros I forgot) and sliders to go. It was a nice surprise

I've been reading these with great interest. I committed a few huge blunders at my first wedding and I'm determined not to make any big etiquette mistakes this time around. Thank goodness our guest list is so small!