Get Solutions to the Most Common Wedding-Day Concerns

Trust your wedding professionals to know what to expect, and communicate effectively throughout the process. It’s okay to be nervous about wedding elements you don’t know if you can control; however, you need not worry. 

Here is a list of the most common fears couples have and the best ways to handle them!

1. "I don’t want there to be lines at the bar."

No one wants to stand in line to get a drink. The challenge is when 150-250 people want a cocktail at the same time, what can be done? The number-one trick to alleviating lines at the bar is to tray pass as much as possible. Ask your catering team to concentrate only on getting a drink in everyone’s hands, even before bringing out the appetizers.

Wine and Champagne are easy to tray pass, but also consider passing your specialty cocktail as well. Or if you know your loved ones are a bourbon crowd, load up those trays with some Manhattans. This means that only the guests with specialty orders will go to the bar at the same time. Lastly, there is no better investment than extra bartenders for cocktail hour and wine stewards for dinner.

2. "I want my guests to dance all night."

If you want your dance floor packed into the wee hours of the morning, it’s simple: do not distract your guests! Invest in incredible music and lighting, but don’t have a photo booth or a food truck outside the venue. If you have enticing activities in another area, your guests will follow. There is nothing worse than your wedding band performing your favorite song when 20 of your closest friends are in line to get their photo taken. 

Try to keep the bar inside the reception space, and create a little lounge for the non-dancers to sit close by. If you must have late-night snacks, ask your catering team to tray pass them near the dance floor rather than setting up a station outside of the room.

3. "I don’t want flowers to block the view across the table."

As a planner, I hear this request all the time! To be perfectly honest, I don’t know any florists who would create a centerpiece design that would intentionally block the view of guests. The arrangements should be above eye level on a tall vase, or sit short on the table. 

For those worried about blocked views, be sure to request a mockup of the arrangements ahead of the wedding, so that you feel confident in the size, volume, and height of each of your floral masterpieces.

4. "I am worried that people will assume they can bring a guest."

Your wedding invitation envelope will let your guests know just who is invited by listing each individual name. However, if your guest still asks to bring someone, you should have a polite but firm response ready to share. An example could be worded simply: “We are so excited you’re able to celebrate with us. Unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate any additional guests.” 

Another option when you want to be very clear is to send attendees a personalized RSVP card that lists each individual person invited beside a space that marks attendance and meal choice.

5. "I worry that long tables are not conducive to a social setting."

This is one concern that I will never understand. When I have attended weddings as a guest, I say hello to everyone at the table, but my conversations are typically with the people sitting next to me. When do you actually speak to someone across a six-foot round table? Therefore, an eight-foot rectangular farm table is just as social as a round version. You can always mix and match round and long table varieties if that makes you feel better about the concept. It will also create a unique look for the space and add even more interest to the room!

Navigating the world of weddings is best with an expert by your side. Wedding professionals have to deal with an array of mishaps at every single wedding or event they plan, and there are definitely creative solutions to all concerns. So, enjoy the planning process, communicate your worries, and as a team, find the best ways to make your big day as dreamy as you imagined!

For more advice from Tessa Brand of Tessa Lyn Events, discover a guide to your wedding seating chart, find out how to create unique escort cards, and learn what your bridesmaids wish they could tell you.

Opening photo by Emma Hopp Photography; Planning & Design by Tessa Lyn Events; From Real Wedding: A Classic Wedding with Modern & Mexican Details in California