Our guide will help you answer those burning questions wedding guests nearly always ask.
You’d think planning a wedding would be just about the bride and groom. But you’d be wrong… There’s another big group of people that need to be taken into consideration – they're called your wedding guests. And these wedding guests will have questions.
Planning a wedding is no piece of cake, and it’s likely you’re going to face countless questions from your wedding guests in the run-up to your big day. Especially from family and close friends, the people we all typically talk to more often. They’ll certainly want more updates than most.
To help keep you calm, and avoid repeating yourself to everyone, it’s best to clearly communicate the key information about your wedding day somewhere public. Traditionally, that would’ve been your save-the-dates and wedding invitations. And you should certainly still use your paper stationery as a place to share information. But now wedding websites, and social media allow you to instantly keep guests up to date with your latest updates. Making frequent questions from wedding guests less likely.
5 Most Common Questions Wedding Guests Will Ask You
To get ahead of the questions guests will certainly ask, include the below information in your wedding invitations and/or wedding website.
Can we bring our children?
If you are telling guests that there is a no kids rule at your wedding, (which is totally fair enough!) then don’t make any exceptions—even if your cousin Leslie begs to bring her adorable little ones. The only reasonable exception is if you have a handful of children who are in your very close family (your children, siblings, nieces, and nephews) and they are in the wedding party.
For those who choose to have a family wedding, you need to make it clear on the invitations that children are more than welcome. Either way, making that initial statement on the invite crystal clear, will save some questions.
Can I bring my new boyfriend/girlfriend/tinder match?
We can guarantee that you’ve had to cut down your guest list. But what happens if one of your partner’s groomsmen wants to bring their new girlfriend? And what if they’ve only been seeing each other for a month, and you’ve never met them? Tricky.
Whatever stance you take on plus ones, it should be clear on the invitations. Actually, your wedding website is a great place to put this information, if you want to be more specific about the types of plus ones you’ll allow. This approach is especially useful if you’d rather not suffer through a tricky conversation.
For those ‘more the merrier’ types, include ‘plus one’ or ‘plus guest’ on the invitations. Or alternatively, request that plus ones are only allowed in the evening. Either way, make it transparent and there will be no issue, well… less issue!
Wedding Photography by Swinky Photography
What's the dress code?
Whether your wedding guests ask this or not, it’s always good to clarify the dress code. You don’t want random guests arriving in fancy suits and long dresses, and some wearing shorts and trainers.
The dress code depends on the theme of your big day and the feel you want the event to have. If you’re going for a boho style wedding, you could suggest summer suits and floaty dresses. Going all out for a classic celebration? Then state that it’s black tie, or formal (black tie optional).
Let people know as soon as possible as not everyone has every outfit option available in their wardrobe. Therefore, they may need to plan ahead and beg, borrow or steal something special for your big day.
Can I stay somewhere nearby?
It’s likely you’ll have wedding guests travelling from out of town, so it’s important to provide accommodation information with your guests. Your wedding venue may have accommodation available on-site, but if not, be sure to provide details of alternative places to stay too.
Consider adding an information card to your wedding invitation set and on your wedding website if you're having one. You may also be able to strike a deal with local hotels, and get a group booking at a reduced rate. Seeing as you're bringing them guaranteed business.
Why aren't you having your wedding at…? Why didn't you choose my florist? Did you not like my friend the hair-stylist?
Faced with questions like this, your instinct likely be fight or flight. There will always be two or three guests who know best. But it’s essential to remain calm when speaking with certain individuals, and remember that not only do they mean well. But that also, this is your day and the choices you made were right for you. Weddings are very personal things.
Whether you’re having a formal wedding ceremony, a small country get together, or a Pinterest-perfect barn celebration, someone, somewhere, is going to hate your wedding venue/dress/hair etc. They’ll wonder why your wedding isn’t located where you grew up, why you wanted it somewhere so fancy, and why you aren’t sticking to tradition.
Plan an idyllic celebration on a peaceful beach in Ibiza, and there’s a good bet that someone will glare at the sunset and wonder why they had to pay so much to get there. Just take a deep breath and accept it. Hopefully, they won’t voice their confusion, but if they do, they’re the rude ones—not you for hosting your wedding where you want, or for making the considered choices you did. Just enjoy the day.