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| Image: Sami Tipi Photographer: Clive Blair |
Notice how many I’s there were in that paragraph…
I could go on of course and tell you loads more about how I was the most important person on my wedding day but it simply isn’t true.
I could tell you my husband to be was the most important person... don’t get me wrong he ranked highly…
To me, on the day I married the most wonderful human being to ever enter my life (at the time - he was beaten to that title by my beautiful son when he was born) the people I cared about the most were my guests.
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| Kathryn Selbert, Etsy |
Now I’m not sure that’s entirely healthy - perhaps there was an element of ‘please like me’ desperately tagged to my forehead but hear me out.
A few things about your guests:
They have travelled far and wide to ogle at you as you make the most important promises you will ever make.
They have spent a fortune on hotels, travel, wedding outfits and have probably bought you a lovely present to see you on your way.
They’ll arrive respectfully early and will wait for you to arrive, they’ll then wait some more while you go and have photos done and they’ll continue to wait while the band set up... they should have bought a book really...
They agreed to come to your hen and stag do and didn’t bat an eyelid when they were asked to pay their hotel room and flights to sunny Majorca (and pitch in for yours). They didn’t complain when they did the fifth cocktail masterclass that year and they took a day off from their diet to enjoy the afternoon tea that they had donated a home-baked cake for.
Obviously this isn’t every guest and every wedding but you get the idea.
Here are a few ways that you can make sure your guests have as wonderful a time as you do on a day that’s all about you:
Keep them entertained while you’re off doing your own thing
I hate that we only saw our magician a couple of times but when I speak to the people who came to our wedding one of the things that stick in their minds is that ‘waiting’ time because we had the most amazing magician. He was so good that my brother booked him for their wedding (missed him there too - grrrrr!). |
| Image: Yusuf Ozkizil Magician: Neb Magic |
Budget tip!
Spent too much money already but want some entertainment while your guests have their pimms? Check out your local buskers. A friend of mine did this recently for her little one's first birthday party in their garden - it was so cool! Please be cautious though and be aware that anyone you use who isn’t an ‘official’ supplier may let you down last minute. Also make sure they're insured. |
| Image: Brick Lane Busker by Marc Baker |
Another budget tip - usually free..
Ask your friends - you may have a budding guitarist/magician/comedian waiting for their moment to shine (just make sure they know Simon Cowell won’t be attending).
Make sure they’re well fed
If your ceremony is at 12pm but your wedding breakfast isn’t until 5pm make sure there are plenty of canapes to go round as chances are your guest’s will be skipping lunch. Or why not have a table of goodies where they can help themselves when they’re feeling peckish? |
| Styling: blovedblog.com Image: Fiona Kelly |
Entertain little ones
Whether you can afford to have a full on creche or simply provide goody bags for children, their parents will thank you for it. You don’t have to give them much - a little game, a quiet wind up toy, playing cards, a book - anything that is cheap and cheerful and will keep them happy for a little while. |
| Image: Elizabeth Larkriley |
Entertain the bigger ones
We may all pretend to be responsible adults but who doesn’t love a space hopper, a kickabout with a ball, a quiet wind up toy…you can hire garden games pretty cheaply and you’ll get some great photos of guests being idiots. |
| Image: You and Your Wedding |
Break the ice at the wedding breakfast
Not everyone knows the people on their table...or maybe they do but still keep themselves to themselves. Have an icebreaker - a sweepstake for how long the speech will be or wedding speech bingo (don’t forget to shout bingo!).
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| Bride and Groom Direct |
Photo Walls/Booths/Polaroids
These have become so popular and there’s a reason - they’re a great way for guests to make tits of themselves!!!
Help sore feet
Put signs up encouraging guests to throw their high heels off as the dancing begins - offer flip flops as alternatives. |
| Image: Sarah and Ben |
Make the pamper room a place they can pamper
Have a basket full of goodies in the loos. Ask around for small unused bottles of perfumes, lipsticks, mascara, tissues etc. |
| Image: Drew & Megan Photography via Style Me Pretty |
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