Top 7 Things Wedding Guests Hate (and How to Avoid Them) | Analyzing
May 5, 2021 by Just Marry!
Top 7 Things Wedding Guests Hate (and How to Avoid Them) | Analyzing
Nearlyweds, as you dig into your wedding planning, it’s a good idea to think about things wedding guests hate. Why? So you can avoid them!
You are putting so much time, energy, and money into your wedding. You want to make sure your wedding guests have the best time, right? To that end, today I’m sharing the top seven things wedding guests hate. Let’s get to ‘em!
TOP 7 THINGS WEDDING GUESTS HATE
#1 - Not allowing them to bring a plus-one
One of the top things wedding guests hate is not getting to bring a date. When it comes to deciding who gets a plus-one, it can be stressful! Fortunately, there is wedding etiquette you should follow when making this decision.
How to avoid it: Plan to invite plus-ones for the following people: anyone who is married, anyone in your wedding party, anyone who is engaged or who has been with their significant other for over a year, and anyone who doesn’t know anyone else at your wedding.
#2 - Bordeom/Lack of entertainment
Another of the top things wedding guests hate is not having good entertainment at your wedding. Boredom is the #1 mood killer at any event!
How to avoid it – Hire a good band or DJ who includes an emcee to keep the music and dancing flowing. You could also hire other entertainers, such as dancers, comedians, artists, or acrobats. Having lawn games and/or a photobooth are also fun ways to keep guests entertained.
#3 - Being seated with people they don't know
An often-dreaded task when planning a wedding is creating the seating chart! It can be tempting to group any guests together who don’t fit with other groups, such as your wedding party, family, coworkers, etc. This happens to be among the top things wedding guests hate!
How to avoid it: One option is to have banquet style seating, which eliminates having to split people into small groups. For weddings with traditional 8-to-10-person round tables, do your best to group “straggler guests” with guests who have similar interests or are close in age. If you’re still struggling, place them at a table near a group of people you think they’ll get along with. After speeches, dinner, and special dances, your guests can always walk around and mingle!
#4 - Long speeches
As touching as wedding speeches may be for you as a couple, long speeches fall into the category of things wedding guests hate. They tend to drag down the event’s pacing and, in many cases, delay the meal.
How to avoid it: Limit the number of people you invite to give a speech and ask those people to limit their speeches to no more than five minutes. Traditionally, speeches are given by the Maid/Matron of Honor, the Best Man, and the parents of the couple. If anyone among them isn’t comfortable giving a speech, don’t force them to! You can always ask your videographer to capture personal sentiments from them and anyone else who wants to wish you well on your big day.
#5 - Cash bars
It is no secret that having an open bar can be expensive, but it’s worth splurging on because your guests will appreciate it! Your guests are there to celebrate and have a good time, and unless they don’t drink, it’s safe to say they hate it when there’s a cash bar.
How to avoid it: Discuss options with your caterer that will keep an open bar within your budget. You can limit the time the bar is open and then switch to a cash bar, for example, or you can offer an open bar with just beer and wine.
#6 - Long lag time between ceremony and reception
Many weddings are planned at multiple venues. The ceremony might take place at the couple’s house of worship with the reception following at a local ballroom, for example. This is perfectly fine as long as the timing is done right. Otherwise, this is among the things wedding guests hate!
How to avoid it: Map the distance between your ceremony and reception venue and plan for the cocktail hour to begin no more than thirty minutes after guests should begin arriving at the reception. You want to allow a small buffer of time to account for traffic when transitioning between venues, but not so much time that guests don’t know what to do with themselves while you’re having your post-ceremony portraits taken.
#7 - Terrible food
Your wedding guests are primarily there to celebrate you and your marriage, but let’s face it: they’re also there for the food! The last thing you want is your guest experience to be diminished because of bad food.
How to avoid it: Have a tasting. Most caterers will offer to host a tasting for you and your future spouse before the wedding. For a fee, some will even have a tasting before you contract with them. Discuss your options with highly reviewed caterers and schedule that tasting to make sure your wedding menu is perfectly delicious!
MORE WEDDING ETIQUETTE & PLANNING TIPS
Wondering what else wedding guests hate? Check out some of our previous posts where we discuss wedding guest etiquette and answer your most pressing wedding planning questions!
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If you’d like more advice on wedding guest etiquette or would like to speak with one of our planners, simply drop us a message at info@justmarry.com and we’ll get back to you right away. We’d be happy to customize a planning option that will allow you to enjoy every moment of your planning and your wedding day!
Top 7 Things Wedding Guests Hate (and How to Avoid Them) | Analyzing