What makes a wedding fun or terrible

[nellly]

I've read a few times on here about people hating weddings and finding them a chore.

I'm getting married next summer and would actually like people to enjoy themselves while they're there.

Here's what we've thought so far to make it a laugh but please tell me what it is the makes it a great day or a terrible day in case we've missed something!

• no one is seated alone for food, single friends are invited to bring a plus one

• 4 different options for meal so everyone has something they like

• drinks tokens for free drinks so everyone has at least a few on us (without the option to take the piss which we saw at SIL wedding wirh open bar (unlimited free soft drinks)

• massive cake with 4 different flavour tiers

• it's in a venue near where we all live so no obligation to stay over except for my parents who are happy to spend the night in the hotel. Everyone else can share cheap taxis back within our city

Families are welcome to bring or leave their
Kids whatever suits better

You sound very thoughtful and kind and those ideas are great!
One thing that made all the difference for me between good and not so good friends weddings was having some entertainment, food/drinks and somewhere to sit down whilst the couple are off taking pictures after the ceremony.

Good point! Guests will have canapés and drinks for that period and comfy seating but hadn't thought about entertainment, just assumed people would chat lol maybe a Photo Booth or similar?

I find weddings so much fun, but they're always in gorgeous venues, heaps of good food and drink and the couples really love each other (so it's a lovely abd emotional occasion) abs great speeches. The other people there are fun and lovely to talk to. It's the whole thing.

Not loads of waiting around, good drinks and canopes so people aren't starving.

Yes, no awful tedious wait while the photographer does their stuff. And not one of those terse photographers who barks orders at everyone.

Comfortable chairs. George Orwell said the secret of a successful restaurant was sharp knives; I have always disagreed - it's comfortable chairs, and the same applies to functions.

Enough food and soft drinks.
I hate waiting ages for food, and then only getting a tiny portion. I care far less about the quality of the food!

My mother always wants a cup of tea after a few hours, if the bar doesn't sell it, can you arrange it in another way?

Generous welcome drinks, I watch lots of weddings where I go swimming and the drinks always seem to run out and people are standing around for ages with nothing to drink.
Not choosing a venue with expensive drinks.
Venue that is easy to get to fit as many guests as possible.
No long gaps during the day.
A children’s corner with some decent activities or arts and crafts.

Fun:
People that are friendly
Interesting/ different venue - e.g. in a forest
Party atmosphere
Not waiting around for ever for photographs
Lots of places to sit and have drinks for any waiting around bits
Individuality/ personality
Funny speeches

Terrible
Uptight/ overly formal
Hanging around for ages between the ceremony/ reception with little to do/ no where to sit
Not knowing anyone else
Awkwardness of speeches - example - the best man/ groom talking about their high jinks and very little positive about the bride and groom together
Family fights
The same wedding readings- corinithins 13, nice passage but at almost every wedding I have been too

The number one thing imo is don't leave your guests waiting about for hours while you get photos done. Even with drinks & canapés it's so fucking boring! Ideal timings for me would be ceremony at 3, sit down at 5, evening starts at 7, home by 12.

@nellly Great ideas I agree with pp please have somewhere to sit whilst the couple take pictures 1 wedding we waited 2 hours for pics to be took on a boiling hot day with nowhere to sit down and 1 barman on for 80 guests and another we there was no seating at all and we were supposed to be stood up for nearly 2 1/2 hours thankfully because the room for the reception was ready we all got sent in by the venue manager so we could at least sit down whilst we waited .

Depending on time of year

Spring/summer - outside games

Autumn/winter- photo booth, little stocking and presents to find around the venue, themed drinks

Also have good music, not one of those bands that people can't really dance to.

It is always much better if the church/ ceremony venue and reception venue are close by, even better if only next to each other. Endless drivng between venues can be a pain.

Your list is good.

• Pick a sensible location. I am sick of being invited to barns 2 hours drive from anything.
• Ensuring there is covered areas/ shade and seating
• Short speeches and not too many
• clear timings / be strict with the photographer (we did our couple photos in 30 minutes. Some weddings I've been two the B&G buggered off for hours!!!!)

Good food.

Enough drink but not a free bar.

No keeping your guests waiting while you have photos taken for 2 hours.

Don't have the service to early, people get drunk or bored.

Definitely somewhere to sit and definitely cups of tea and coffee available as I hate having cold drinks all day and certainly can't drink alcohol all day.

Feed your guests at normal mealtimes.

Minimise hanging around, but if some has to happen, make sure there are places to sit down comfortably

Make sure you seat people with those they are likely to get on with (numbers and table sizes might mean you can't put everyone only with people they already know)

If the wedding is outside remember to tell your guests.

No one remembers the seat covers, favours etc... spend the money on good food and drink

Accept something could go wrong and go with the flow

If having evening guests, build lots of leeway into your timings... its horrible arriving while dessert is still being served etc

Let guests know what time the meal is do they can plan their food for the day

Definitely no lengthy hanging around after the ceremony waiting for the sit down bit to start. It’s just sooo dull. Anything more than an hour drags

Just a budget head’s up: four choices for dinner will cost a fortune. The caterer essentially has to have 75/80% of each choice, so you’re, more or less, paying for four dinners for each guest.

Make sure your guests are entertained, fed, watered and generally looked after all of the time. Don't have them waiting around bored and hungry and thirsty.

Don't treat guests with dietary requirements as either a second thought or left out altogether.

Great suggestions so far thank you!!

To answer a few, the venue is located conveniently a cheap taxi ride away for the majority of guests.

Parents and one set of siblings will stay over and we're covering the hotel bill. Anyone who chooses to stay when they live 5 mins away can pay for their own hotel room.

Everything happens in one venue so no driving

I imagine there will be down time while we do photos but this takes place in a private lounge/bar area with snacks and drinks, I do think we will try and get some entertainment, will have a think what might be best

Guests will have canapés and snacks at 1, a full meal at 3 and a buffet from 7

The photographer is a friend of my fiancé and is lovely and a real laugh. Will have a word about timings but can't imagine her being curt with anyone

I LOVE a wedding and the best ones are always elevated with an amazing live band who play songs everyone can dance to. Biggest change I would have made to my own wedding (we were skint though!)

All the important things are above, I’d only add make sure people know it’s a paid for/free bar/whatever so they can plan.

@Nikita1709

Just a budget head’s up: four choices for dinner will cost a fortune. The caterer essentially has to have 75/80% of each choice, so you’re, more or less, paying for four dinners for each guest.

They have to confirm their menu choices by rsvp 10 weeks out. Providing two meat and two veggie/vegan options only added £230 to final bill j thought that was quite reasonable!