While brides and grooms-to-be are busy planning every detail of their wedding, sometimes, there are a few things that well...let's say...tend to slip through the cracks. Not that this is intentional, but in our haste towards fulfilling childhood or bridal magazine fantasies on our wedding day, (brides, most of us are guilty here!), we often forget some important people-our guests! In 2011, let's resolve not to torture our guests with the following common faux pas:
Waiting an eternity
Guests particularly dislike waiting for hours on end between the ceremony and reception. This commonly happens when couples are whisked off by photographers and videographers (and just about anyone willing to take a photo with them) to some picturesque locale for photos and videos. While guests wait for the party to get started, they are often overcome with boredom, hunger and thirst.
A considerate option is to have some entertainment provided for the guests while they wait, as well as hors d'oeuvres and drinks. Having a Master of Ceremonies present is another good idea, since he/she can keep the crowd entertained, informed about the agenda and updated as to the couple's intended arrival time.
Over-exposure
Some couples opt to take photos prior to the ceremony. While this is acceptable, many guests feel disappointed when they see the bride going to and fro for photos outside the venue. Truth be told, guests like a little mystery. They look forward to seeing the bride for the first time during the ceremony... not before!
Poor seating plan
Never sit a guest and his/her date apart. Naturally, this makes for two very unhappy people. The same goes for splitting up families (unless of course teenagers or cousins want to sit together) particularly those with young children. I often see guests enter a reception hall and not know where to sit, since there is no usher there to advise them. Therefore, a good idea may be to have ushers present, in addition to some "reserved" signs.
Horrid speeches
Unfortunately, the blame here falls largely on members of the bridal party who are asked to speak at the reception. If you are asked to move a toast to the couple, please try to keep it brief (two to five minutes should suffice) and avoid topics like past relationships, politics, religion or sexual references. Also avoid obscenities in your speech or the urge to expound on the couple's entire life story. These will only make guests feel uncomfortable and embarrassed; not only for the speaker but for the couple and their families as well!
Scrambling to finish
This, I think is one of my pet peeves as a guest. It is awkward to walk into a ceremony or reception venue on time, only to see family members or a decorators hurrying to finish off the decorations or centrepieces and walking around with heaps of double-sided tape, ribbons, flowers and tulle! This clearly demonstrates to guests that you have not prepared properly. Couples-try as much as possible to give yourself and your vendors enough preparation time, so that this embarrassment will not befall you!