Curating the Best Wedding Guest Experience
Ready to transform your wedding day into an unforgettable celebration that will leave your guests raving? You've finalized the guest list, and now it's time to dive into the excitement of wedding planning! At Emerson Fields, we understand the importance of crafting a wedding experience that surpasses expectations and leaves a lasting impression on your guests. With our incredible venues and expert guidance, we're here to help you create the best wedding guest experience imaginable. Let's elevate your special day, ensuring it becomes a standout event amid the multitude of weddings your guests will attend this year. Creating the ultimate wedding guest experience is a breeze with strategic planning, heartfelt consideration, and your unique personal touch.
Welcome to Emerson Fields, your premier destination for unforgettable weddings in central Missouri! As the owner and expert behind Emerson Fields, I'm thrilled to extend a warm invitation to couples seeking the perfect venue for their special day. Our beautiful white barn venue and estate offer an inviting atmosphere where cherished memories are effortlessly made. Our convenient location ensures easy access for guests from St. Louis, Kansas City, Columbia, and beyond, making it the ideal choice for couples and their loved ones. With five stunning venues boasting both indoor and outdoor options, we provide unparalleled versatility to bring your wedding vision to life. At Emerson Fields, we're dedicated to making your wedding dreams a reality. Let us be your partner in creating a weekend-long experience filled with joy, love, and cherished moments.
Here is where the best wedding guest experience begins; we are sharing 5 ways to create the absolute best day for you and your guests! We know you want to wow them, so here’s how -
Top 5 Ways to Wow Your Wedding Guests
Select a greeting committee for the wedding; ushers and guest book attendants
Every remarkable celebration deserves a warm welcome and your wedding is no exception. Ensure your guests feel embraced from the moment they arrive by selecting a dedicated greeting committee. Station ushers or greeters at the entrance of your venue or ceremony location, extending a friendly hello as guests walk in, and guiding them to their seats.
Elevate the experience by considering the invaluable addition of a wedding planner or coordinator—this critical role not only enhances the overall coordination of the day but also provides a go-to resource for your guests or family members with any inquiries. Wow your wedding guests with a seamless wedding experience, orchestrated by the wedding planning team, allowing you, the couple, to savor every moment without being inundated with questions.
“We relied on the help of Emerson Fields and our wedding coordinator (D-Zines By T) to guide us and to help us gather additional information since we were not from the area. We loved the relaxed, calming feeling of the entire weekend. The planning process allowed us to feel confident in our choices. We got so many compliments throughout the entire weekend from our guests and still do to this day! Perfection!”
2. Add an element of surprise during your wedding
While your wedding guests may anticipate the traditional elements of a ceremony followed by a lively reception featuring food, drinks, and dancing, why not take their experience to the next level by introducing an unexpected touch to your special day? Elevate the magic by incorporating surprise elements that will truly wow your guests.
Imagine a unique tribute or live musical performance during the ceremony, perhaps featuring a stringed quartet or a talented harpist. Extend the excitement into your reception with surprises like the energetic ambiance created by dueling pianos, a delightful guest party favor in the form of a caricature artist, or the interactive fun of a photo booth. Your wedding guests will love the addition of surprising twists to your wedding, creating unforgettable moments that will be cherished by all.
Make a lasting first impression at dinner by infusing creativity into your table settings. Elevate the guest experience with edible place cards, such as monogrammed macarons, personalized cookies, or petite cakes featuring each guest's name. Transform your dining space into a visual delight with a playful balloon installation that not only complements your chosen color palette but also serves as a fantastic backdrop for memorable photos. For a unique and immersive touch, consider having a live wedding painter capture the essence of your celebration. We happen to know an exceptional artist who can turn your wedding into a masterpiece, Cindy Scott Artistry!
As the night unfolds, cater to your guests' cravings with a late-night snack. Whether it's a delivery from your favorite pizzeria, a stocked bar featuring options like nachos or popcorn, or the excitement of a specialty food truck serving delectable late-night desserts, these thoughtful touches will keep the energy high and the celebration unforgettable. If you want to end the night with a wow factor, we recommend a stunning fireworks display! Make whatever surprise you bring into your wedding day intentional and something to reflect the two of you and what you love most!
Other ideas for a reception wow factor:
hire an Elvis impersonator
bridal party flash mob
mascot appearance like Truman the Tiger
hire a skilled sommelier for a wine-tasting experience
rent a CO2 machine for a hazy dance floor
add on cold sparks to your first dance for a fiery wow factor
3. Hire an engaging DJ at the wedding reception
The success of your reception celebration hinges on the choice of your wedding DJ or emcee. It's crucial to select a professional and engaged DJ, one who understands that the spotlight should be on the couple and not solely on them. To ensure the music resonates with your unique vibe, provide your DJ with a suggested playlist that captures the essence of the atmosphere you envision for the reception.
This curated playlist becomes the heartbeat of your wedding, allowing the reception to sound and feel like a true reflection of the couple. If you desire a dynamic, ever-changing musical landscape, encourage your DJ to accept requests throughout the night. This keeps the energy high, ensuring the dance floor is never empty.
For an interactive touch, consider having your DJ incorporate lively and quick games to keep guests engaged throughout the evening. If games aren't your preference, communicate this to your DJ in advance. Tailoring the music and entertainment to your preferences ensures that every moment is a celebration that truly mirrors your personalities and delights your guests.
Popular Reception DJ Games:
the Shoe Game - sitting back to back and raising the shoe of the spouse who the question applies to
Musical Chairs
“May Pole” - cutting ribbons off the rotating May Pole to determine a winner of the bride’s bouquet
Anniversary Dance
Karaoke Party
Dollar Dance
Limbo
PRO TIP: Make plans for a later ceremony time in the summer months because the party doesn’t start hopping until the sun goes down (usually around 8:30-9:00 PM)!
Choosing the right mix of live music and DJ entertainment can add a dynamic layer to your wedding festivities. Some couples opt for live music during the ceremony, seamlessly transitioning to the cocktail hour, and later, letting the DJ take center stage to turn up the energy. Whether it's the raucous sounds of dueling pianos, the versatility of live musicians, or the infectious beats of a talented band, diverse entertainment options can elevate your wedding reception.
Regardless of your entertainment choice, having an emcee is essential to ensure the smooth flow of the evening. This key figure will handle announcements related to food, special dances, and toasts, maintaining a seamless and engaging atmosphere throughout the celebration. By striking the right balance between live and DJ entertainment and having a skilled emcee, your wedding reception is bound to be a captivating experience for you and your guests.
“For vendors, we almost exclusively used the recommended vendor list that Emerson Fields provided after booking our wedding. Even our DJ, Jeremy, was recommended to us by one of the DJs on your list! This was the most helpful thing during the whole process, I don’t know what we would have done without it! ”
4. Connect with your guests at the wedding reception
the conventional receiving lines have become a thing of the past. So, how can you ensure a personal connection with your guests on your special day? If your photo session is wrapped up earlier, take full advantage of the cocktail hour to circulate and greet your guests. This creates a warm and engaging atmosphere that sets the tone for the celebration. Consider adding a personal touch by visiting each table during the reception, extending warm welcomes, and capturing candid moments with your guests.
Another opportune moment to connect is by greeting guests as they line up for the delightful dinner buffet. And here's a secret tip – skipping dinner isn't necessary! Many couples indulge in a private meal before their grand entrance, a strategic move that allows them to relish precious moments together while maximizing socializing time at the reception. These thoughtful gestures ensure every guest feels valued and connected, contributing to the overall warmth and joy of your wedding day celebration.
Create connections with your guests by asking your photographer to capture a group picture with all your attendees right after the ceremony. Picture this: the joyous couple in the foreground, just as they exit the ceremony, with guests cheering and eagerly facing the photographer. It's a delightful moment that not only captures the immediate post-ceremony euphoria but also ensures you have a collective snapshot with each guest. The result? Pure fun and lasting memories!
When choosing a venue, consider the time constraints it may impose on connecting with your guests. Booking a venue with limited, hourly use could limit your opportunities for meaningful interactions compared to a full weekend experience. It's crucial to be prepared for this scenario in advance, as the wedding day goes by quickly.
At Emerson Fields, we prioritize providing you with a truly enjoyable wedding experience with our full-weekend rental. This extended timeframe ensures you and your guests have the most precious element for an unforgettable celebration: TIME. With access to the space on Friday, you can savor quality moments with your wedding party and family during the rehearsal and welcome dinner. On Saturday, the entire day is at your disposal for preparations, and the evening unfolds into a perfect celebration for dancing, visiting, and connecting with your loved ones. If you choose our single-day rental, you still get unlimited access to the Emerson Fields property on your wedding day without worrying about the next wedding starting in a few hours. Our space is yours and only yours during your rental period!
“Having the venue to ourselves for the whole weekend was amazing. When we all arrived on Friday it felt like settling into a full little weekend retreat. We loved that it was out in the beautiful countryside but still close enough to a town with places to stay for us and our families! My family, friends and I loved just hanging out inside and on the patio out back before and during the wedding. ”
A few more ways to maximize your interactions with your wedding guests:
Consider a “first look” with your partner before the ceremony, freeing up time later for mingling with guests
Join your cocktail hour to interact with friends in a casual setting
Plan a beautiful photo-op backdrop and schedule 15-20 minutes for rapid-fire photos with your guests
Grab one big group photo after the ceremony
Ask your wedding coordinator to help keep you on task so you don’t get lost in conversation
5. Have a simple and thoughtful wedding ceremony
While most wedding ceremonies span between 20 to 40 minutes, you can infuse every moment with profound meaning, thoughtfulness, and cherished traditions. Within this time frame, incorporate the core elements such as a heartfelt message, vows, ring exchange, and a unity expression to create a ceremony that resonates deeply. Recognizing that after about 30 minutes, guests, especially young children, may become restless, it's wise to plan accordingly. This ensures that every moment of your ceremony is not only meaningful but also caters to the comfort of your guests.
Pro Tip: A small engaging activity for children can be a thoughtful touch. Consider options like Wikki Sticks, a small Etch-a-Sketch, or a fidget popper toy to keep them occupied without creating any mess—steering clear of markers or crayons.
Crafting a short and heartfelt ceremony that highlights your unique love story, especially with the addition of personal vows, is a wonderful way to engage your wedding guests. Elevate the experience by incorporating personal touches, such as a grandfather offering a heartfelt prayer, a sister sharing a meaningful reading, or the parents walking the bride down the aisle. These elements add a layer of thoughtfulness that your loved ones will undoubtedly appreciate.
The 'short and sweet' principle extends seamlessly to the reception. While special dances like the couple’s first dance, father-daughter dance, and mother-son dance, hold sentimental value, they can consume a significant amount of time. Optimize your reception by selecting only the dances that hold utmost importance to you, ensuring each one remains under 2 minutes. This strategic approach allows you to maximize your reception time, keeping the celebration lively and engaging for all.
“You want your guests to leave the wedding reception wishing it could’ve lasted longer, not wishing they could’ve left sooner! Plan your timeline accordingly. A couple of hours with a packed dance floor late in the evening is all you need. Contrary to popular belief, guests do not want to dance for hours and hours.”
Help your wedding guests have an absolute blast at your wedding by keeping these 5 tips on curating the best wedding guest experience in mind! How do you plan on making your wedding day memorable? To learn more about the best guest experience, head over to the first two blog posts in this series: What Wedding Guests Do NOT Care About and What Wedding Guests DO Care About.
Give your guests the best experience possible by booking your wedding at Emerson Fields! We would be honored to host your dream wedding day with all your closest family and friends. Click below to reach out to us if you’ve fallen in love with all that we offer! We’d love to make your dreams come true!
01/09/2024 - Gabrielle Isom
