Most wedding guests are too kind and gracious to tell you the things they didn't like about your wedding, but we're here to give it to you straight. If any one of the following happens during your celebration, your guests will be talking about it (unkindly AND behind your back) to anyone who will listen. Can you blame them?
- Smashing Wedding Cake Guests don't think it's amusing when a seemingly loving couple smashes wedding cake into each other's faces (and up noses, in hair, etc.) Oh sure, they'll be smiling and clapping, but don't let their dispositions fool you. Trust us. They walk away muttering predictions on how long your marriage is going to last. Smashing cake in your beloved's face is not only immature, but it's also passive aggressive and disrespectful. (Do you know how much time and money is spent to get the bride looking great?!) It's not nearly as cutesy as you might think. Don't do it.
- The Dreaded Cash Bar Wikipedia, we're with you! Guests should NEVER have to pay for their drinks. You've sent them a formal invitation, they've traveled to get there and brought you a gift... now you want them to pay for their drinks? Yikes. If your budget doesn't allow for an open bar, then you need to either change your reception venue, your caterer, or both. One of the easiest ways to keep a bar open and save on cash is to have a late evening wedding/reception so that guests will not expect a meal. Dessert and champagne receptions are very lovely, chic and inexpensive too!
- Time for a Nap? When there is more than an hour to kill between the ceremony and cocktail hour/reception, guests get really cranky. First, it's very inconvenient for out-of-town guests. Where are they supposed to go? Sure, you can justify it by saying:
"Well, the hotel has a bar and a pool so the guests can just hang out!"
We've heard this excuse for poor planning more than once. Guess what? Your guests may get way too drunk and sleepy before your reception begins. Plus, this also forces them into a "cash bar" situation (see #2). Tacky. They also do not want to have to shower, reapply makeup, and get dressed all over again. Long wait times kill the momentum of your day. People who have just witnessed you get married are on the fast track to celebrate with you. They shouldn't have to hit a fast food restaurant or check movie times while waiting for your reception to begin. - Reception at 6... Dinner served at 10? If you open the doors to your reception at 6PM, people should be munching on their salads (at a minimum) by 6:15PM. Guests don't appreciate it if you make them wait to start their first dinner course until you have finished the requisite dances, speeches, etc. That can take hours. Bear in mind that hungry guests are distracted guests. They'll be too busy complaining or asking the catering staff when dinner will be served instead of paying attention to you. Guests have a much harder time talking to one another when they are enjoying their meals. Make your grand entrance, have a blessing and/or toast from the best man -- and start eating! Your guests will thank you for it. Once they have been served at least one course, you can start with additional speeches or first dances. This will also prevent another common gripe... see #5.
- Cake Cutting at Midnight - This usually happens when dinner is not served in a timely fashion. Let's face it: you have a variety of age ranges at your wedding reception. Not everyone enjoys staying out late or waiting until nearly the end of your reception to see you cut your cake. Cut your cake 45 minutes after dinner is complete. Since cutting a cake properly takes time (at least a half-hour to slice and serve it), your guests will have plenty of time to work up their appetite again. Also, make sure that your caterer serves coffee WITH cake, not before it.
