kgossman If you’re looking for ways to add special details to your event to really thank your guests and friends and family for coming, check out these ideas below.
Gifts
Welcome bags or baskets for out-of-town guests. This is a tradition I LOVE that not many people are doing anymore. This is such a thoughtful way to make your guests feel special who have traveled to celebrate your event. Each room in your room block gets a special bag or basket with gifts inside for guests. You can include water bottles, snacks, gum, candy, mini liquor bottles, Advil packets, IV packets, makeup remover wipes, or trinkets for your guests to enjoy. Take this over-the-top by including a weekend itinerary, nearby to-dos, restaurant or activity coupons, Uber discount codes, and a thank you note. Guests will love the thought you put into making their stay extra special and it helps take the pressure off the weekend.
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Kids activities at the wedding. It’s hard enough to bring kids to a wedding and trying to entertain them and keep them quiet. Include kids activity booklets or kits for all the kiddos to keep them having fun also. You can set up a table where each kid grabs their packet before the ceremony or have a specific kids’ table at your reception. Include items like activity books, coloring pages, crayons, candy, or small toys. Parents will thank you. Extra bonus if you hire a babysitter to watch the kiddos for some time!
Take care of your squad. Yes, we all love the cute matching robes or cups, but really going above and beyond for your squad would mean the world to them! Offer each bridesmaid a gift bag to show them how much they mean to you. Include items such as scrunchies, candles, face masks, pashminas, house slippers, their favorite candy, IV packets, and chapstick. If girls are flying in, choose items that are lightweight and pack easily in a suitcase. Don’t forget a thank you note telling them how much you adore them!
Gifts for family. It’s also extra special to take care of your mother, mother-in-law, and grandmothers on your special day. They’ve probably put a lot of time or money into helping you plan your big day. Include a special gift for them such as a blanket or pashmina, jewelry, or a custom item such as an embroidered handkerchief, ornament, or photo together. Write a special note thanking them for all of their support and being such a big part of your special day!
The groom’s squad needs love too. Don’t forget to take care of your groom’s squad too. If you have the budget, including a small gift to show your thanks to them for taking good care of your guy can mean a lot. You can opt for individual gifts such as fun socks, an engraved knife, koozie, or toiletry bag. Or you can purchase a nice bottle of alcohol for them to enjoy while getting ready and taking photos. These guys support your partner and it’s important to thank them for it!
Food + Drink
Self-love at the bar. If you’re getting married after like 28 years old, go ahead and offer IV packets or Pedialyte packets at the bar. Trust me, everyone will thank you! You want guests to have a good time at your wedding, but not regret it the next day. You can also include packets of Advil or Aleve, as well.
Food is love. Offering good food is an easy way to take care of your guests during your event. Appetizers during cocktail hour are a wonderful way to elevate your event and offer guests a bite of food while waiting for dinner time. Late night food during dancing is always fun and guests love it! Think fun bites like pizza, mini tacos, hot chicken and waffles, or even cookies and milk. This is a great way to be creative and have fun with your menu while keeping guests from indulging in too much alcohol.
If you’d like to elevate your dinner experience for guests, have a salad and bread basket set at each table for guests to enjoy before dinner. You can do a preset salad at each place setting, or offer a salad bowl for the table to pass around Thanksgiving style.
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Special drinks for guests. Elevate your event with passed drinks before the ceremony or during cocktail hour. Offer guests a fun drink such as a shot of tequila or a specialty drink to liven the event. You can present these on a cart or wall for guests to grab themselves (check your local alcohol laws) or they can be passed by servers. You can also offer guests a non-alcoholic beverage before the ceremony for warm, summer events. Having ice water or lemonade out for guests to grab is so thoughtful and adds a fun vibe. You can also fill a bucket or wheelbarrow with ice and bottled water for guests to grab. It’s the thought that counts!
A special treat. If you enjoy cooking, grilling, or baking, offer something homemade to your guests. I’ve had couples give a special homemade barbeque rub for guests to enjoy later. You can also bake up some homemade cookies for guests to enjoy at your event or take home with them. These make great favors that guests will actually love!
Say Thanks
Leave a thank you note. You can write a handwritten thank you note to each couple as part of your seating chart. Special details such as writing a thank you note and putting it at each place setting would mean so much to your guests. You can just do a thank you or include it on the back of the menu card at each setting.
Tell guests thank you. I think it’s so important to thank your guests during your event. If you’re having speeches, say a quick thank you to guests afterwards and thank them for their continued love and support and for traveling to be a part of your bid day. If you’re not doing speeches, you can say this before dinner as a welcome or coupled with the prayer.
