How Do I Plan a Wedding That My Guests Will Love?
Let’s get this out of the way right up front: The most important people to please when planning a wedding are you and your future spouse. Don’t get so caught up in trying to please your guests that you lose sight of what’s most important.
That said, it’s understandable to want to create a memorable experience for your attendees. You may have specific family members whose needs should be catered to (especially if they’re very close to you or are paying for part of the wedding), but the information below goes far beyond Grandma and her insistence on skipping the garter toss.
WeddingWire Survey
This information is compiled from a WeddingWire survey of around 1,000 wedding guests. The folks at WeddingWire found that there’s a definite generational gap in guest expectations.
Millennials
Millennials care about the visual aesthetic: 42% of Millennial guests (those born between 1981 and 1996) care about wedding décor, compared with only 27% of Gen X guests.
Gen Xers
But Gen Xers want to toast to you: 41% of Gen Xers care about the bar you’re offering, compared with 30% of Millennials. (But it’s worth noting that “cash bar” or “dry wedding” still lands on a top 10 list of “overall pet peeves for wedding guests.”)
You can stop stressing about a lot of the details.
Details That Guests Care the Least About
Wedding Wire’s survey revealed eight ceremony details and eight reception details that guests care the least about and are paying the least attention to, so breathe a sigh of relief on the following:
Ceremony
- Ceremony readings
- Officiant
- Recessional
- Processional
- Groom’s attire
- Programs
- People-watching (though GenXers pay more attention to the other guests than Millennials, according to the survey)
- Ceremony length
Reception
- Escort cards
- Extra amenities, such as toiletries
- Take-home favors for guests
- Garter toss or bouquet toss
- “Grand exit” for the newlyweds
- The reception flowers (yes, seriously)
- Table settings
- Dessert (we were as surprised as you are)
Things You Should Focus On
Instead, here are some things you should focus your attention on if you’re aiming to please guests – especially the younger crowd:
Ceremony
- Bride’s dress
- Bride’s entrance
- Vows
- Décor
- Setting/location for the ceremony
- Look on groom’s face when partner enters
- Bridesmaid’s dresses
- Ceremony venue
Reception
- Food
- Music
- Décor
- Bar/drinks
- Dances
- Entertainment
- Couple’s entrance
- Reception location/setting
But remember, your wedding doesn’t have to be about pleasing other people – and Wedding Wire’s survey doesn’t necessarily represent your guests list anyway. Take it with a grain of salt and plan an event that you and your partner feel great about. Let us know if we can help.
