How can I make the wedding comfortable for all guests?
June 10, 2011 by admin
Filed under Wedding Planning
My fiance's family is very small and very affluent, whereas my family is enormous and nowhere near affluent; most of them are struggling to make ends meet.
Both sets of parents will be contributing to the wedding, and he really wants to have a wedding that is grandiose and very elegant. I want the same, but I'm very concerned that my family members will not feel comfortable attending a very posh wedding. Is there any way to get the best of both worlds? Are there certain aspects of the wedding that we can spend more money on without alienating anyone?
I thought long and hard about this and think its wonderful you want everyone to be comfortable a fews things to consider. Like elegent does not mean it has to be formal.
1) I also come from a big family and in ours we dont invite couisns if we do we invite all of them! (those who are not invited hold a small getogther a bbq or a few drinks and show pic’s of the weddng)
2) location make sure there are some reasonable priced hotels near the wedding for those traveling
3) If your regeresting make sure there is a lot of reasonalable priced items. If a guest brings a gift put it on a nice table but not out in the open
4) Dress code maybe semi formal smart casual or cocktail I would not make dress formal!
5) Have a open bar or at least a few free so it does not cost the even more money to come!
be nice and polite
Two words: open bar
Ohh, the problems already started..
I think an outdoor afternoon wedding would be more relaxed than an indoor evening wedding, no matter the budget. Make sure that your relatives (I’m sure you know which ones might be more apt to feel overwhelmed or out of place) are made to feel special, like with special seating, and maybe a small role in the ceremony, like the lighting of a candle, or reading of a poem or something. Keep the menu recognizable. Be sure to speak with them as much as you can. That ought to do it.
There is no way to please everyone. I think you need to do what works best for you and your groom.
Probably more money on food and beverages would not be criticized.
I understand exactly what you mean. Heard of a senior citizen (relative of bride) who attended the wedding. Wedding was just a bit more elegant than weddings usually attended by senior. Senior criticized EVERYTHING. And the truth? It was a lovely wedding. Bride and groom worked hard to save their money and have that wedding. There was absolutely nothing wrong with that wedding. It was just not what senior expected.
You cannot please everyone, so don’t even try. My advice is to do what you and groom want. If that means wonderful food, or beautiful flowers, or a special venue . . . then go for it. Do what makes you two happy.
Just be a gracious hostess, and greet as many of your guests as possible.
Good luck to you.
I definitely think theres a middle ground here. You can have a nice wedding without spending a fortune. I would spend most of the money on the food and drinks, thats what all of your guests really care about anyway!
You dont need grandiose centrepieces or ice sculptures to make an elegant wedding. Look in bridal magazines; I think you will find that a lot of weddings are moving towards casual chic. For example, small but bright flowers for centrepieces, simple place settings in white linens, thats all you need. Think minimal, clean, and bright.
if they dont have to dish out for it i dont see why this would make them uncomfortable attending it. infact one would think they would actually enjoy it because its something they dont get to indulge it.
either way, youll never be able to make everyone happy. and you shouldnt have to. its your day, do what YOU want to.
for favors — give them the choice of a crystal picture frame or a bottle opener