Your wedding day is all about the love you share with your significant other. However, this does not mean you can ignore the needs of your guests. While you should plan your event however you’d like, you should also think about what will make the experience more enjoyable for your family and friends. From confusing seating arrangements to long lines at the bar, there are a few obstacles that you may want to consider before finalizing any of your plans. Use these tips to create a strategy that will help guests truly enjoy the gathering.  

A Lack of Useful Information

Couples make lots of mistakes when planning their nuptials. One error that tends to repeat between events is forgetting to provide guests with relevant information. From the driving directions included with the invitations to the schedule of events found in the wedding programs, certain bits of info can prove invaluable to your family and friends. Failing to provide guidance, conversely, can make the crowd irritable or upset. To ensure enough info is included, think about what might prove confusing to guests and attempt to solve these issues in advance with clear, concise instructions. 

An easy way to guarantee the event follows the correct flow is by hiring an emcee. Entertainers who can keep a crowd engaged will be able to adhere to the strict wedding itinerary without the need to directly involve the couple or members of the wedding party.

An Obstructed View

Seating charts tend to be one of the more annoying tasks related to planning large gatherings. Couples often spend long hours working out arrangements so that certain groups remain together during the reception. However, one point that is often overlooked is whether or not each seat has a good view of the events. If you seat someone at an awkward angle, even something as simple as a cumbersome centerpiece can completely obstruct the guest’s ability to see. To avoid this, work with the venue management team and guarantee all seats have a decent view of the action. 

A Very Long Line

Though it is not the main focus of a wedding, countless guests look forward to these events because they can cut loose, drink, and dance. Unfortunately, acquiring alcohol during a big party can often be a huge challenge. The longer the line at the bar, the more time guests waste standing around. One way to avoid this is by setting up multiple bars. The more choices given to guests, the easier it will be to spread the revelers between each bar and keep the lines short. Having more than one bartender at each bar can also help control the traffic flow.

You may also wish to consider having the waitstaff walk around and take drink orders. Older family members or those unable to comfortably stand for too long will appreciate having someone help them get a drink, increasing their overall enjoyment of the celebration. Get creative with how drink orders are handled, and see how it improves the experience

A Cocktail Hour That Drags

The cocktail hour of a wedding is usually offered as a way of giving the couple and their guests a slight reprieve between the ceremony and reception. Unfortunately, there are times when an hour turns into more. The longer the crowd has to wait to enter the official reception space, however, the more likely it is that guests will begin to get restless. Though it may not always be within your control, keeping the cocktail hour as short as possible helps to keep spirits high. 

Though there are many moving pieces involved with planning a wedding, you should take stock of whether or not your decisions will benefit your guests. Even though it is your big day, keeping your family and friends happy throughout the experience is your best way of guaranteeing a smooth ride from start to finish.