Create Dream Weddings While Prioritizing Your Wellbeing
Wedding Well-Being: Keeping Guests Comfortable and Safe at Your Wedding
Your wedding is one of the most important days of your life, but the planning process can often feel overwhelming. From perfecting your hairstyle to finalizing the catering, the to-do list can seem endless. The last thing you want is to add worries about the safety and well-being of your guests to the mix. Ensuring your wedding venue, catering, and event guidelines prioritize comfort, happiness, and safety is essential. In this post, as part of our wedding planning advice and tips, we’ll delve into how you can (and should!) keep your guests comfortable and safe during your wedding. Start by planning your venue and schedule well in advance, keeping potential risks in mind to create a stress-free and enjoyable experience for everyone.
Check the Weather
Regardless of where your wedding is, you will want to keep an eye on the weather. Heavy rain, snow, winds, or thunderstorms can make it difficult to travel to the venue. Outdoor weddings can become muddy, icy, or flooded, limiting mobility for you and your guests. Even indoor wedding venues can become slippery, creating a fall hazard, especially at entryways.
The addition of alcohol can make hazardous conditions even riskier. You don’t want your guests to hold you liable; they might even hire a slip and fall lawyer if injuries are severe. In order to mitigate liability for any injuries or harm related to bad weather, it’s important to prepare for it. Place rugs at the entrance of your wedding venue. Ensure the area is covered if hosting outdoors. Have a backup plan for inclement weather. Employ the use of wet floor signs whenever possible.
Our Experience
We once covered a beautiful garden wedding that turned unexpectedly stormy halfway through the ceremony. Thankfully, the couple had prepared for the worst: they rented clear tents and provided cozy blankets for their guests. One of the guests told us how much they appreciated the thoughtful touches, especially when the rain came pouring down. Their preparation made the event feel intimate and magical instead of stressful.
Watch this video by Night Owls Media for more wedding weather tips:
Mind the Alcohol
While weddings are known for the free flow of drinks, especially champagne, you’ll want to be careful. Alcohol can erase inhibitions and increase the chances of injury or inappropriate behavior. You can consider limiting alcohol, especially in cases where people have had too much to drink. You can place drink limits or open the bar for a limited amount of time. To completely eliminate issues, you don’t have to serve alcohol at all. The choice is yours—it’s your wedding!
Watch this GMA coverage to see how alcohol-free weddings are on the rise these days:
Our Experience
One wedding we attended had a genius solution to keep alcohol consumption in check. They offered signature cocktails along with mocktail options and set a clear “last call” for drinks. We noticed how guests stayed lively yet responsible, and there wasn’t a single awkward moment or mishap. The couple later shared with us that this decision helped them enjoy the night without worrying about things spiraling out of control.
Create a Proper Guest List and Enforce it!
Uninvited guests can cause trouble at your wedding. They may stir up drama or overcrowd your venue, which can get you into legal trouble. You should only allow invitees and their allotted guests into the wedding. You can make sure there are no uninvited guests with a proper guest list. Checking names off can make sure only those you approve beforehand can witness your important day. You don’t want any wedding crashers at your BIG day 🙂
Our Experience
We once attended a wedding where an uninvited guest showed up—and it wasn’t as romantic as the movies make it seem. The extra attendee caused seating issues and even disrupted the reception’s flow. The couple had to address the situation mid-celebration, which was stressful. Since then, we’ve always advise couples to use digital RSVPs and hire someone to check names at the door to avoid such scenarios.
Provide Free Transportation
Offering your guests free transportation may be costly, of course, but it’s a smart choice, especially if you plan on serving alcohol. When guests drink alcohol at a wedding, they may consume too much to drive safely. They may get into an accident, harming themselves or others. You may not want them to linger if they need to sober up, especially if you only have the venue for a limited time. Offering free transportation for guests can eliminate these issues entirely. As said, transportation can be a pricey wedding expense, but it may be worth it for safety and peace of mind. For more tips about wedding transportation – read this.
Our Experience
One of our favorite weddings featured a vintage trolley that shuttled guests between the ceremony and reception venues. Guests couldn’t stop raving about how thoughtful and fun the experience was. The couple shared with us later that they slept better knowing everyone got home safely, especially since their wedding venue was far from public transportation.
Watch this video by Emily Summer for more wedding transportation tips:
Adhere to Occupancy Limits
Occupancy limits at venues, particularly indoor ones, exist for a reason: safety. These limits are designed to reduce the risk of injury or even tragedy in emergencies like fires. Overcrowding can make it significantly harder for guests to exit the building quickly, turning a joyous occasion into a potentially catastrophic event—a scenario no one wants on such an important day. It’s crucial to respect these limits, not only to ensure everyone’s safety but also to avoid potential legal liability if the venue is overcrowded. After all, your wedding day should be memorable for the right reasons, not for unnecessary risks to your guests.
Pay Attention to Food Allergies
Many people have specific dietary needs. While it’s impractical to keep everyone’s dietary preferences in mind, you’ll want to consider gathering food allergy and dietary preferences from your guests in order to choose your wedding menu wisely.
You wouldn’t want to serve steak to a room full of vegetarians! You also want to make sure you’re transparent about the food you serve. Undisclosed allergens in the menu can have devastating consequences, even fatal ones. Let your caterer know about allergens and dietary preferences of your guests. Have them disclose all relevant ingredients and allergens. Informed guests are happy guests!
Our Experience
One couple we worked with sent out a simple survey with their RSVPs, asking guests about food allergies or dietary restrictions. This small step allowed their caterer to create a custom menu with plenty of allergen-friendly options. At the reception, guests felt genuinely cared for, and the couple received countless compliments on their thoughtful planning.
Set Boundaries
Your wedding is meant to be your special day. If anyone at your wedding is making you feel upset or uncomfortable, don’t be afraid to set boundaries. You can ask anyone to leave for any reason if you’d like to. If guests can’t follow your rules or behave on your special day, you don’t have to make special exceptions for them. Wanting to avoid social fallout or relationship harm is fine, but after a warning or two, don’t hesitate to enforce boundaries. You don’t want to ruin your big day.
Our Experience
We once attended a wedding where a guest repeatedly interrupted the speeches. The bride and groom, feeling awkward about confronting them, let it slide for too long. Eventually, a family member stepped in and resolved the situation, but it cast a shadow on an otherwise lovely day. Afterward, the couple told us they wished they’d set firmer boundaries from the start, a lesson we now share with every couple we meet.
Check In Often
While your wedding is ultimately about you and your future spouse, it doesn’t hurt to circle around the venue and get a feel for how your guests are doing. Ask how they are and how they’re feeling. Keep an eye out for any signs of problems or danger. Checking in shows you care, and can make people feel more comfortable.
Conclusion
Try not to overthink about safety when it comes to planning your wedding. As long as you’re following occupancy limits and safety regulations as well as preparing for inclement weather and alcohol consumption, your day should go smoothly. Don’t forget to keep your safety and comfort in mind during your wedding, too. You’ll only enjoy this day once!
