13 small things that will make your wedding so much more enjoyable for your guests

When looking back at weddings you have attended, it’s likely you don’t remember the exact flatware at the reception tables or the flowers lining the ceremony aisle. Rather, you remember the emotions you felt for the couple, conversations and dance floor moments with other guests, and how easy (or difficult) the setup and flow of the event was. A shortage of food, communication confusion, or a not-so-temperate venue will make a way bigger impact on guests’ memories of your wedding day than your linen choices.

Many couples are now placing guest experience to the forefront when creating plans for their wedding day – and luckily, just a few small touches can make all the difference. “It’s all about anticipating needs before guests even realise they have them,” says wedding planner Fallon Carter. “When people feel like they’ve been thought of at every turn, the event becomes an experience they won’t forget.”

Related: 10 of the most iconic Scandinavian royal wedding dresses of all time

Here, we asked wedding planners to share some small yet essential things you can add to your wedding to make your guests feel well taken care of.

As we’re now firmly in the digital age, creating a wedding website has become as essential to wedding planning as picking out a caterer. Putting extra thought into what exactly you put on the site will make all the difference to guests. “A great wedding website should answer questions before guests even think to ask them,” says Carter. “That means clear itineraries, maps, dress code visuals, transportation tips, and even restaurant recommendations for their free time.”

When collecting RSVPs, don’t just ask for a yes or no response. Especially if you’re using an online RSVP system, don’t be afraid to add more questions that can help you be more thoughtful of your guest’s experience. “Beyond just meal choices, asking guests if they have dietary restrictions, need childcare, or have a favourite song request can make the entire event feel more personalised and smooth,” says Carter.

“It is so important to communicate with the guests that are coming in from out of town ahead of time and anticipate their needs,” says Julian Leaver of Julian Leaver Events. “We partner with Wedaways to allow the guests a concierge-like experience to know what is happening with their transportation, booking their hotel rooms, and knowing what things will look like on the ground. We know assisting them ahead of time then allows the guests to relax and enjoy their time without stressing about the worries of travel.”

Have a full wedding weekend in a far-off destination? Keeping up good communication with all your guests is essential. While you might not be able to get your grandma to figure it out, creating a WhatsApp group to relay important announcements or schedule reminders can be incredibly helpful. “It is a simple way to share where to go, who to look for, and photos of the area to make it easier for them to find,” says Leaver. “We want to anticipate their needs ahead of time and be able to communicate effectively and quickly with them.” Another perk of creating a group? Guests can give updates on what they’re up to in between your planned events and can organize impromptu hangouts at the room block hotel’s pool or bar.

Shuttle buses can be an essential part of wedding logistics, whether they’re taking guests to the ceremony or bringing late-night partiers to an after-hours location. “So many issues and a recurring sticking point within a wedding weekend are the various transitions. You can enhance the guest experience by being a part of these transitions and guiding guests, so they feel comfortable and arrive as needed to their next location,” says Leaver. He suggests having a member of the planning staff not only direct guests to the transportation vehicles, but join on the ride and direct them upon arrival.

No matter your wedding budget, there are endless ways to make your guests feel welcomed when they arrive for your wedding. Carter suggests making a personal gesture for an extra special touch. “If guests are staying at a hotel or on-site accommodations, adding a handwritten note, a local treat, or even a lavender sachet for relaxation is an easy way to make them feel taken care of,” she says. If you want to offer welcome bags, Carter says, “Instead of a basic tote, tailor the contents to the experience. Local snacks, a mini itinerary, or even a fun inside joke between the couple and their guests make it feel intentional.”

Have a moving party with various locations around a venue or town? Providing a map can help guests feel at ease and understand the flow of the celebration. Lever just did this for a recent wedding with lots of movement between events. “To communicate the various rooms, stations, and plans for the evening effectively to 250 people, all at the same time, we created a little map to help the guests know how to move through the spaces,” he explains. “We shared with them locations of the bars, bands, seating, etc, and how the area was laid out to enhance their enjoyment. We believe it is important to help guests know how to move through the space and often when you share this with them, everyone enjoys the space and the experience more than walking into a room and not knowing what to do.”

There's nothing better than feeling like an experience is tailored to you. “Having key team members, bartenders, or servers recognize and use guest names makes the experience feel seamless and curated,” says Carter. While this ask is not likely possible for a wedding with 200-plus guests, she adds, “Even just the couple’s parents being greeted by name sets the tone.”

“Thoughtful bathroom amenities and emergency supplies are paramount in making your guests feel comfortable and at ease, which ultimately makes for the best kind of party,” says Melissa Sullivan, owner and curator of Studio Sully. “We once had a guest rip her dress in a serious way. Had we not had (an incredible amount of) safety pins, she would have needed to leave. Bonus: It looked very much like the Versace pin dress and perhaps better than the original!”

Your offerings can go beyond just breath mints and bandaids. Be thoughtful about what situations might arise based on your location. “Windy venue? Offer hair ties and blotting papers in the restroom. Outdoor summer wedding? Elevated bug repellent in a chic spray bottle makes a difference,” suggests Carter.

While a great pair of heels can make the outfit, anyone who has worn stilettos knows that your comfort has a time limit. Placing a gift basket full of flip-flops or ballet flats by the dance floor will have your well-heeled guests thanking you. If you’re hosting any part of the wedding on grass outdoors, making a bowl full of heel stoppers readily available can prevent any broken shoes or sinking into the dirt. “People remember when they reach for something and it’s already there,” adds Carter.

While offering an open bar with enough bartenders to keep the line moving is a must to keep guests happy, it’s also a good idea to think of their well-being and have water stations readily available. “Not having to order water from the bar is helpful and the visual is a good reminder to stay hydrated,” says Sullivan.

Make the experience extra special for your guests the moment they sit down at the rehearsal dinner or reception with a special touch. “Adding a little note or fun fact instead of just a name card makes it more engaging,” shares Carter. “Something like, ‘Lisa, we can’t wait to see you on the dance floor!’ instantly makes a guest feel special.”

It’s not the most exciting thing to think about, but you should always have a weather plan in place that goes beyond preparing for a chance of showers. “If it’s going to be hot, have woven fans available. If it’s chilly, have pashminas draped over chairs,” advises Carter. “Shade structures, hand warmers, whatever it takes – guests notice when they don’t have to ask for something.”