Can we all agree that wedding guest pet peeves should be a part of our wedding planning strategy?
Look, yes, we do plan our weddings for ourselves and our partners. The whole premise of weddings is that they are meant to celebrate the newlyweds. However, wedding guests are a huge part of that celebration. And, it’s important to think of them when we plan and strategize.
When you include your guests in your wedding planning, anticipate your wedding guest pet peeves. These are the things that they have seen before at weddings, and did not enjoy. The things that irked them, and were thought of long after the wedding ended. Unfortunately, wedding guest pet peeves can overshadow an otherwise great time in many cases. This is why we want to address and prevent them as best as we can.
15 Common Wedding Guest Pet Peeves (That Will Stop Guests From Enjoying Your Wedding)
This post is going to share with you fifteen common wedding guests pet peeves that will stop guests from enjoying your wedding. In some cases, for some weddings, the pet peeves are what they are. And, you may be okay with guests that have them and experience them in order to join your wedding. As the person getting married, you have that right. However, in other cases, you may be able to better plan for the pet peeves and give your guests a better experience. It all depends on the wedding and situation.
Let’s get into it!
1. YOUR WEDDING IS REALLY EXPENSIVE TO ATTEND
One common wedding guest pet peeve is going to a wedding that is really expensive to attend.
Now, I’m not just talking about the cost to be a bridesmaid. That is an add on, no matter what’s going on with the wedding. I’m talking about the costs just to be a guest. This may include travel for a destination wedding. Or buying fancy attire to attend a black-tie wedding. Perhaps it’s the cost of parking at the wedding, or a cash bar.
The key here is to make your wedding as inexpensive as possible for guests to attend. Pay for parking, if needed. Provide a wine and beer bar if you can’t afford the full bar. Don’t ask guests to buy a new outfit just for your event. That sort of thing.
2. THE GUESTS DON’T KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT AT YOUR WEDDING
You know what drives me crazy? Not knowing what’s going on at an event.
This can be as simple as not being able to find the ceremony. Or not knowing what the schedule of the day is. Wedding guests want to know what’s coming next. They want to know when they will get fed. When they can get up to go to the bathroom. When the dancing will start or end. That sort of thing. The more you can share on your wedding website, programs, or signage, the better.
3. THE PARKING SUCKS AT YOUR VENUE
Have you ever been late due to a bad parking situation? Me too. And it totally sucks.
When it comes to attending someone’s wedding, parking can be double stressful. Not only do you want to get to the ceremony on time, being late means that you interrupt a ceremony already in progress. It means that you miss things. Big things. It’s not a fun time.
What can you do about this wedding guest pet peeve? Well, you can plan ahead. Pick a venue that has ample parking. Tell your guests where and how to park so they aren’t left to figure it out. Spring for valet parking, and let your guests know about it. All of this will help.
4. YOUR WEDDING STARTS MORE THAN 15 MINUTES LATE
Look, we all know that everyone will wait for the bride. And the same goes for the groom. But, make them wait too long and it can get really annoying.
My husband was once in a wedding where the bride was over an hour late for her ceremony. Not only that, but it was very hot outside. Everyone was irritated and melting by the time the bride showed up. Let’s not let that happen to you. Plan ahead, give yourself lots of time, and wait for your guests. Not the other way around.
5. THE GUESTS ARE TOO HOT OR TOO COLD AT YOUR WEDDING
Oh, perfect timing! I just mentioned guests being too hot, and this plays along with it.
We can’t control the weather, but we can control how we deal with it. Being too hot or too cold are major wedding guest pet peeves. You can help your guests out though. For starters, look ahead at the weather and make notes on your wedding website about attire and recommendations. From there, you can provide items at your wedding to help guests with the temperature.
For ideas to keep guests warm, check out this post.
6. THERE IS NO SOLID WEATHER “PLAN B” IN CASE OF RAIN OR SNOW
I know the movies can make it seem like getting married in the rain or snow is romantic, but it’s really not.
If you are getting married outside, you need a plan for the weather. It may mean moving your wedding indoors. Or, renting a tent. No matter what, the plan needs to be there. This is coming from someone who had to move her ceremony inside due to rain. And you know what? It turned out better than if we got married outside. Seriously.
7. YOUR GUESTS AREN’T SERVED FOOD WITH COCKTAIL HOUR
Let’s go through the wedding guest experience before your wedding.
First, they have to be in the general vicinity of your wedding. This may mean travel and hotel stays. Or, they may be at home and have a short drive. Either way, they have to watch the time, and they have to get ready. Then, they have to travel to your wedding, maybe find parking, and locate where your ceremony is. From there, they witness your ceremony and move onto cocktail hour. All of this can take up quite a bit of one’s day.
For the love of your guests, make sure there is food at cocktail hour. They will appreciate it. And, they will need it by then.
8. YOUR WEDDING IS A DRY EVENT, AND NO ONE KNEW UNTIL THEY GO THERE
A dry wedding is one where you don’t serve alcohol. I wrote all about dry weddings in this post.
If you are having a dry wedding, for whatever reason, there is no problem with that. None at all. Your wedding, your way. However, please let your guests know ahead of time. Not so they can sneak in alcohol. So they can plan ahead. Or not plan ahead. Many guests will assume they will drink at weddings, so they leave their cars at home. Some may take the day after your wedding off work. Others will send their kids to a sleepover.
By confirming your wedding is a dry event, you save your guests effort. And, you save them some major wedding guest pet peeves after the fact.
9. YOUR WEDDING IS BORING
Weddings can be boring. There, I said it.
Of course, weddings are not meant to be entertaining. Yes, they are a celebration. But they are also a serious and somber event. It’s okay to treat them as such. However, if you have the kind of wedding that has time in between events, fill that time. Play music. Have activities. Ask family members to give speeches. Serve food and snacks and drinks.
Allow your guests to have something to do rather than sit or stand around. If you need ideas on entertaining wedding guests or entertaining table games, check out the links provided.
10. THE LINE FOR THE BAR IS QUITE LONG
I mean, we’ve all been there. In a long line for the bar. And, it’s totally one of my wedding guest pet peeves.
Why does it bother me so? Well, because it’s totally preventable. For example, bar lines move faster when guests can grab non-alcoholic drinks on their own. They also move faster when there is a menu or sign for what is available for them as they wait. Lines move faster when there are more bartenders, and when those bartenders are experienced. And the list goes on and on.
Long story short (see what I did there?!), find ways to keep the bar line moving.
11. THE BATHROOMS ARE LIMITED AT YOUR WEDDING
If wedding guests pet peeves include waiting in lines for the bar, imagine how much they love waiting for the bathroom.
Of course, many venues have their bathrooms dialed in. But, not all. In some cases there may be one bathroom for your entire wedding to share. It’s not ideal.
But, what can you do about it?
Well, if your venue has limited bathrooms, look into your rental options. Some rental bathrooms are really amazing. You’d never even know they were portable. Or, ask your venue if you can have permission to use an alternate bathroom, just in case.
12. YOUR WEDDING IS TOO LOUD
The term “too loud” is a subjective one, but worth noting.
If you plan on having loud music at your wedding, or a loud crowd in general, be strategic about where you place certain people around your wedding room. Older people, or those who are more sensitive, should be farther away from speakers or loud music. The same goes for children. Wedding guests who are okay with loud music and noises can be closer. I’m not asking you to have a quiet wedding, I’m just suggesting that you take into account those who will appreciate noise a bit more than those who won’t.
13. YOUR WEDDING IS ON AN INCONVENIENT DAY
You know what is one of my wedding guest pet peeves? Weddings that are on inconvenient days.
I know. I know. Inconvenient is a relative term. However, if you are getting married on a Tuesday through Thursday, you should know that you’re inconveniencing some guests. The same goes for getting married on or around a major holiday. Yes, some people may be okay with it, but others will silently give you the side eye for your wedding date choices.
Now, of course, you do you. It’s okay to get married whenever you want. Just be aware that it might irk some wedding guests if the date is too unusual. The same goes for time of day, too.
14. YOUR WEDDING GUESTS ARNE’T INVITED TO YOUR ACTUAL CEREMONY
I recently heard someone talking about attending her cousin’s wedding, and being quite confused that it was just the reception. Apparently the ceremony had taken place the day before and she wasn’t invited.
If you’re the kind of couple who wants to have a private ceremony and larger reception, there is no problem with that. Just be honest with your wedding guests about what the plan is. Some will wonder why they don’t get to enjoy your ceremony before the reception. Be honest about that, too. You can have whatever reasons you want. The key here is not to avoid hurting feelings. It’s to avoid confusion.
15. THINGS ABOUT YOUR WEDDING ARE CONFUSING
Alright, last one. And perfect timing, too!
Your wedding guests pet peeves will be enhanced if your wedding is confusing. Some couples want to mix things up a little. While it’s okay to pick and choose what traditions suit you, and change arrangements of “normal” wedding days here and there, too much will be too much for your guests. For example, weddings tend to have a flow about them. A set schedule of what to expect, and what will happen at each phase. If you stray too far from it, your guests will be confused. And this will annoy them.
THOUGHTS ON COMMON WEDDING GUEST PET PEEVES
Friends, common wedding guest pet peeves can plague any wedding or any wedding guest. The key is to provide an experience for your guests that is thoughtful, predictable, and uses common sense. You want your guests to leave your wedding after having a great time. Anything less than that is totally avoidable if you plan correctly. Happy wedding planning!
More On Wedding Guest Experience From Hummingbird Wedding Advice
The Eight Best Ways To Communicate With Your Wedding Guests
12 Engagement Party Games That Are Actually Pretty Fun
How To Keep Guests Warm At A Winter Wedding
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