For example, I was once at a wedding as a guest and as my friend and I arrived, we had trouble finding the location. The turnoff was at a mile marker off of a curvy highway and did not have an option for a left-turn. After we were able to turn around, several miles later, the road that turned off from the highway quickly switched from a smooth, paved road to a rocky and very narrow dirt road that continued for about a mile and half before reaching the venue. Fortunately, the trusty Toyota I had at the time was able to make it, but had it rained in any of the days leading up to the wedding, my little car would not have fared so well. Had we known about this road ahead of time, we would have been able to opt for my friend's SUV instead.
Upon arriving, we learned that several of the other guests had run into the same issue and the hassle and confusion had left a sour taste in their mouth. Although the wedding was beautiful and the food delicious, an indelible first impression had already been made.
If there is anything about your wedding that would help your guests properly plan ahead of time, include those details on your wedding website, or on a separate card in your invitation. In this case, a little note about the road conditions would have been perfect on the map and directions card. In fact, just including a map and directions card would have been a good start. Details like this are not areas to cut corners in.
Have you ever been to a wedding where important details that affected guests were overlooked?
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I was the photographer at a wedding where the country club reception site is across the street from a similar named club, and the addresses are only one number apart. The B&G didn't mention this in their directions and many of the guests tried to go to the wedding at the club across the street!
I am also a big fan of letting guest know if the ceremony will be outside- even something like "Avery Ranch Golf Club Main Lawn" on the direction card conveys it well. With unpredictable weather in Austin, I have seen too many guest show up with no coat or worse, only to learn the event is outside- I always hear "I just assumed we'd be inside and I wouldn't need a coat!"
I was recently at a friends rooftop wedding with only about 30 close friends and relatives. They had decided to skip a DJ, so the processional was played on a laptop.
The music just kept going after the bride was already at the altar and they hadn't asked anyone to monitor the computer. The groom had to leave the altar to go stop the music.
Also, even though it was a small wedding they didn't have a microphone and it was outdoors. People had to strain to hear them telling their vows.
At my own wedding, which I had planned, we left a dining yacht by horse and carriage for the hotel. I handed my things to my groomsmen so they could bring my car back. When we got to the hotel neither one of us had the room key. In tux and wedding gown we went up to the front desk and they made us a new one with no questions asked.
-Chad
http://www.PilsterPhotography.net
http://pilsterphotography.blogspot.com
I am horrible when it comes to keeping cash on hand. So I am quite grateful if I get the heads up if I have to pay for parking or if the bar is a cash bar instead of a host bar.
Guests rely on MapQuest or Google Maps if they don't have a navigation system. Sometimes web site maps are not up-to-do, so people are grateful when the couple posts additional info on their site regarding directions. Especially if they let guests know that the MapQuest or GoogleMaps may be off a little.
Women love it if the bride or groom notes on their web site if the wedding is outside or not. That information could affect shoe and shawl choices.
Love & Soul Always, Kay
A couple had an outdoor wedding in late winter/early spring and didn't mention that the ceremony was outdoors and the reception was in a tent. People weren't dressed for the flurries and cold front that came that day. The venue was 45 minutes from where guests were staying and they hired a bus to shuffle everyone there and back, so guests were stuck until it was over!
A bride and groom engaged a beautiful venue a year in advance. How were they to know that a major golf championship would take place at the same site on the same day! All cars entering the area required documentation. Fortunately the event planner was on top of things and made sure all the guests and wedding professionals were on the official entry list. She also contacted each guest to suggest they leave a little extra time to get to the ceremony. Good thing! The traffic was a mess. But, on the day, all went smoothly. All hail to great event planners!
Thank you for posting this! All too often clients try to "cut" costs by eliminating the direction card however I always try to sway them into it. It is not to benefit myself, it is to the benefit of their own guests!
The attendants walked down the aisle to a live musician, and then the bride walked down to a recorded pop song that ended abruptly when she reached the end of the aisle. It was not pretty.
Great tip! As a bride, I haven't thought of that! Maybe because I've never really been to a wedding where such details are necessary to plan accordingly. I'll try my best to not overlook such details for my guests.