We all know the saying “You can’t please everyone”! While that may be true, these types of guest criticisms are easily avoided by careful planning — and addressing them now will make everyone’s memories of your wedding day so much nicer.
1. The music was TOO LOUD. Hire a great DJ who is experienced and focused on creating a fantastic overall experience for you and your guests. Other suggestions to avoid this common complaint: Move tables and chairs away from speakers and seat older guests further from the sound equipment.
2. The DJ was obnoxious or played lousy music. Find the best wedding DJ available using recommendations from other brides and the advice of wedding industry professionals.
3. Speeches were TOO LONG and we couldn’t decipher the words. Keep speeches under five minutes. Ideally, they should last between two and five minutes. A great DJ will spend a few moments with each person making a toast or speech, teaching him or her how to correctly operate and speak into the microphone. He will also use a high quality microphone!
4. We didn’t know anyone at our table. Take the time to carefully plan your seating arrangement, placing guests at tables with others they know. They don’t have to be fast friends, just acquaintances or people with some kind of connection. Try to seat out-of-town guests, who aren’t likely to know anyone, with others having similar interests.
5. I resented paying a dollar to dance with the bride. Unless it’s a long-standing family tradition, and you will offend someone if you break the ritual, the dollar dance is best forgotten.
6. We stood forever in the receiving line. The bride & groom, and their parents are the only required greeters. Better yet, couples should instead consider visiting individual tables during or immediately following dinner. (See #10 below)
7. We had too much time to “kill” between the ceremony and reception. Out-of-town guests are often at a loss for ways to fill the time between a two o’clock wedding and a six o’clock reception. Try to keep the down time to a minimum. When it isn’t possible to hold the events within an hour or so of each other, ask the hall if it will open its doors early for your visiting guests (and ask them if there’s a charge). Other options include asking relatives or close friends to invite them to their home for a light snack, or arranging a hospitality suite for them at their hotel.
8. The centerpiece was so large that I couldn’t see or talk to guests seated across the table. Smaller, shorter arrangements are best. Your centerpiece shouldn’t be the center of attention (or main topic of conversation) at the table.
9. I was offended that I had to pay for drinks. Open bars are the accepted norm. If your budget is tight, offer wine and beer only — or limit drink choices to “call” brands. You can also close the bar during the dinner hour to save on costs.
10. The bride and groom didn’t stop by to say hello. Make the rounds of guest tables at your reception, but don’t spend too much time at each. A quick greeting, thank you or compliment will suffice.
11. I was never thanked for my gift! Share this task with your husband. Divide your list, write your notes at the same time, and make a pact to finish a certain number every night until they are finished. Dangle a carrot in front of your noses. When the last note is FINALLY written, reward yourselves with a special bottle of wine or dinner out. It is customary to mail thank-you notes within three months. You don’t want to wait that long for your carrot anyway, do you?
Want compliments instead of complaints at your wedding reception? Click here for a FREE consultation with Mike Staff Productions.
Got something to add about this subject? Please comment below ….
About the Author
Mike Staff is the owner of Mike Staff Productions, an award winning Wedding DJ Entertainment, Photography and Videography Company located in metropolitan Detroit, Michigan. Mike is also a well known Detroit radio personality, having spent over 14 years on-the-air at one of Detroit’s most popular music stations, 101-FM WRIF.
Very well said, everyone is not always pleased. The music and DJ problems crop up everywhere, they look like universal problems if not planned. I think weddings should focus on happiness, but people find things to criticize. This post will help any person who is about to get married or a wedding planner or organizer. Point number 10, 11 are just too good.
A very well framed article, I must say.
Very well said, everyone is not always pleased. The music and DJ problems crop up everywhere, they look like universal problems if not planned. I think weddings should focus on happiness, but people find things to criticize. This post will help any person who is about to get married or a wedding planner or organizer. Point number 10, 11 are just too good.
A very well framed article, I must say.
I liked this article a lot. A few of these complaints I’ve heard before, but the rest I was not aware of at all. Thanks for enlightening us on this topic. It will really benefit a lot of people.
I liked this article a lot. A few of these complaints I’ve heard before, but the rest I was not aware of at all. Thanks for enlightening us on this topic. It will really benefit a lot of people.
Nice article. Thanks for the information. Its really difficult to please guests at the wedding – I’ve experienced it. It will really help many to make their wedding day a success.
Nice article. Thanks for the information. Its really difficult to please guests at the wedding – I’ve experienced it. It will really help many to make their wedding day a success.
Yes, I have seen these complaints at weddings that I have been to. I think these 11 complaints are the most common complaints given by the guests in anyone’s wedding. But the complaint i like in this is “The bride and groom didn’t stop by to say hello”.
Yes, I have seen these complaints at weddings that I have been to. I think these 11 complaints are the most common complaints given by the guests in anyone’s wedding. But the complaint i like in this is “The bride and groom didn’t stop by to say hello”.
Pingback: jill
Pingback: jill
As long as you get stuck at a table where no one knows each other, it’s not so bad. What’s bad is when you are the lone person and everybody else knows each other.
As long as you get stuck at a table where no one knows each other, it’s not so bad. What’s bad is when you are the lone person and everybody else knows each other.
our budget is tight, but we will try to keep in mind that open bars are what people expect. what about doing a couple of drinks free and then it turns to a cash bar?
our budget is tight, but we will try to keep in mind that open bars are what people expect. what about doing a couple of drinks free and then it turns to a cash bar?
Pingback: SJBATES
Pingback: SJBATES
I don’t mind paying a dollar to dance with the bride. I figure it’s a cute way to help them with the wedding. Then, again, I don’t know if I will do that at my own wedding.
I don’t mind paying a dollar to dance with the bride. I figure it’s a cute way to help them with the wedding. Then, again, I don’t know if I will do that at my own wedding.
Pingback: Sue
Pingback: Sue
I won’t make these mistakes at my wedding! Thanks for the tips.
I won’t make these mistakes at my wedding! Thanks for the tips.
Great Tips! Thanks!
Great Tips! Thanks!
nice ideas!
nice ideas!
I totally agree…especially, you need to thank everyone who gave you a present. It doesn’t matter how small.
I totally agree…especially, you need to thank everyone who gave you a present. It doesn’t matter how small.
Can’t agree more! You have to get a good DJ for the reception; they’ll make it awesome or horrible.
Can’t agree more! You have to get a good DJ for the reception; they’ll make it awesome or horrible.
Great things to think about!
Great things to think about!
Pingback: After All, It Is Your Wedding!
Pingback: After All, It Is Your Wedding!
Hi there!
Thanks for the info and tips!
Hi there!
Thanks for the info and tips!
one wedding I went to didn’t have microphones…that was horrible. only the first few tables could hear any of the toasts.
one wedding I went to didn’t have microphones…that was horrible. only the first few tables could hear any of the toasts.
I wish I had known some of these things before my wedding…or at least been reminded of them.
I wish I had known some of these things before my wedding…or at least been reminded of them.
another complaint – the dance floor was too small!
another complaint – the dance floor was too small!
how can you let people know there won’t be an open bar? should it be on the invitations?
how can you let people know there won’t be an open bar? should it be on the invitations?
Pingback: cindy
Pingback: cindy
My mom isn’t sure about an open bar…maybe this will help convince her!
My mom isn’t sure about an open bar…maybe this will help convince her!
Hello from Russia)
Hello from Russia)
great idea? ..thx xd
great idea? ..thx xd
Intriguing, how would I apply this?
Intriguing, how would I apply this?
I am glad that I found this information. I am the type of person that loves to be inspired. Whether it be with regards to home life or business. This blog has some great posts and your posts inspire me to be productive and has given me ideas to move forward.
I am glad that I found this information. I am the type of person that loves to be inspired. Whether it be with regards to home life or business. This blog has some great posts and your posts inspire me to be productive and has given me ideas to move forward.