The Gripes of Being a Wedding Guest: From Rumbling Tummies to Lengthy Journeys and waiting around. How Many of These Annoyances Strike a Chord with You?"
The joy of getting dressed up, having a jolly good dance, not to mention the feast of delectable food and drinks. It's all good fun, isn't it? But let's be real for a moment, as much as being a wedding guest can be a blast, there are a few things that can get on their nerves.
From having to sit next to that chatty Auntie who never stops talking, to the DJ who insists on playing the Macarena for the third time that night or a wedding photographer that just doest get a documentary! It can all add up to a less than perfect wedding experience. But fear not, with a little bit of preparation and a positive attitude, you can avoid some of these following common wedding gripes and have a fantastic time.
We've all attended a weddings as a guest and it’s left a lasting impression, but for some not always for the right reasons. If you're curious about what's really bugging your guests, look no further! I have gathered a list of 5 niggles that some of my closest of friends, who between them have been to over 40 weddings between them as guests, might I add, had a grumble about! So over a curry and a pint, I used my friends to indirectly write me a blog post! ( sorry guys and gals )
So, if you want to make sure your big day goes off without a hitch, have a gander at list of their pet hates and take notes. After all, you don't want your guests leaving with more complaints than compliments, do you? Make your wedding one to remember, for all the right reasons! … and before I start, remember this! You can’t make everyone happy, and neither should you have too! If people are difficult when planning your wedding. Do yourself a favour and tell them to bounce!
Hunger Pangs: The Struggle is Real
The Gripe: When I asked my friends there's was one answer that came up fairly quickly: hunger. It's a basic human need, after all, and yet so many guests find themselves feeling peckish at weddings.
From a lack of options for those with dietary restrictions to waiting ages for food between the ceremony and reception, guests can get hangry hunger pains at weddings.
The Solution: To keep your guests from feeling famished on your big day, timing is key. Consider when your guests will be arriving and how long it's been since their last meal. Make sure there's never a gap of more than 3-4 hours without food. If you are having and early ceremony, make sure you have some canapés or light nibbles to see them through to the wedding breakfast.
And don't forget to communicate with your guests about food, especially if some are only coming for the evening reception. They may show up expecting sustenance, so let them know if you're unable to provide substantial evening food. Keep your guests well-fed and happy - it's the least they deserve on your special day and remember, food is fuel! So don't forget to keep topped up yourself. All that Prosecco on an empty stomach wont be fun. Get some snacks for the morning for you and your bridal party... send the best man to get something! haha!
Wedding Favour Flops: A No-Win Situation
The Grip: Useless wedding favours is that they are a waste of both the wedding guests' time and the couple's money. No one wants to be handed a trinket that serves no purpose and takes up valuable space in their bag or at home. Furthermore, shelling out cash for these pointless tokens is not a wise use of the wedding budget.
The solution: Think carefully about the purpose of your wedding favours and the cost involved. Instead of handing out pointless gifts That no one cares about, why not opt for something that will be cherished by your guests, such as a memento of your special day or a practical item like a candle, seeds to plant or a refreshing drink. Just think... all that money you spend on favours could be buying you a videographer!
For example, you could provide a miniature bottle of bubbly to commemorate the occasion or a packet of seeds with a tag saying "Plant these and remember our special day". The possibilities are endless and by opting for a thoughtful and with a meaningful touch, you'll be sure to delight your guests and make the most of your budget.
So, if you're considering wedding favours, think about what will bring joy and value to your guests, rather than simply handing out something for the sake of it. Your guests will thank you for it and your wallet will too!
An Absolute Mission For Your Evening Guests.
The Gripe: Splitting your wedding guests into daytime attendees and those only invited to the evening can work quite well, but there's a problem that could leave your guests feeling grumpy: when they have to endure long commutes to get to the evening festivities. This can also be a make or break for a no shows!
The Solution: Consider your guests' travel time when deciding who to invite for the day and who to invite just for the evening. As a general guideline, if a guest has to travel for longer than they'll actually be at the wedding, it's best not to have them just for the evening. Keep in mind that, while it might not be a destination wedding for you, it could be for them.
And let's be honest...there's nothing worse than having guests arrive at a wedding feeling tired, grumpy, and in need of a strong cuppa! after driving 3 hours. To avoid this, take a moment to think about your guests' journeys and try to keep their travel time to a minimum. After all, you want everyone to arrive at your big day with a smile on their face and ready to celebrate with you.
So, whether it's a quick hop down the road or a longer journey, make sure you're mindful of your guests' commutes. They'll thank you for it.
Forgotten about.
The Gripe: The reality of being forgotten about as a wedding guest is something that affects many people with special requirements or needs or even sometimes at wedding that have large numbers. Whether it's a dietary requirement that gets overlooked, accessibility issues that make it difficult to move around the venue, or young children who were invited but not catered for or entertained, being ignored or having your needs pushed aside is never a pleasant feeling especially for a person you have invited to your special day.
The Solution: As the one who knows your wedding guests best, it's important to keep their needs in mind when putting together your invitation list. If you have guests who require additional provisions, such as the elderly or those with mobility problems, make sure that your venue is accessible and the day's activities won't involve a lot of walking or standing around. If you have guests with food allergies or intolerances, check with your caterers to ensure their needs can be met. And if you're inviting young guests or newborns, think about children's menus and a quiet space for new mothers to nurse and change their babies.
It may seem like a lot of work, but putting yourself in your guests' shoes, the last thing you want is for them to feel forgotten. Making the extra effort to accommodate everyone's needs will not only show your guests how much you care, but also create a memorable and enjoyable experience for everyone.
Boredom And Waiting Around.
The Gripe: A couple of my friends said that they find it dull waiting around at weddings. This can happen when the ceremony is delayed, during the formal photography, and during the periods between the ceremony and wedding breakfast and the breakfast and reception.
The Solution: To prevent guests from feeling bored, it's important to plan your wedding events with their experience in mind. Remember while it is your day, you really are the host. Something as simple as playing some music while you sign, some light entertainment, such a guitarist, pianist can set the tone and mood and keeping periods feel less stagnant. Not every guest will extroverted and while you will be on a super high from just getting married, many guests are ultimately waiting for the next thing to happen. Chat with your venue's wedding coordinator, they'll have some great ideas to keep your guests entertained and minimise waiting time. Who wants a bunch of restless guests anyway? Let's keep them happy and entertained!
