It’s easy to get wrapped up in planning every detail of your wedding to make sure it fits you, but what about your guests?  Use these tips from the pros (us!) to make sure your guests, and you, have a GREAT time at your wedding reception.

Give them ALL the information up front

Use your invitations and a wedding website to give your guests all the information they need (above and beyond dates and times): parking (and any fees), local hotel information, and any other helpful information that can assist them as they travel to your wedding.

Put out the red carpet

Make your guests feel appreciated at your wedding with a lot of small touches.  Go out of your way to welcome your local and out-of-town guests with small gifts and outings.  Use signs and other small tokens to welcome them to your wedding ceremony and reception.

Keep the talking to a minimum

Ask your “toasters” to keep their toasts short and sweet.  Long wedding toasts can put a real crimp on your guests’ good time, and delay the real wedding reception fun.

Pull out all the entertainment stops

We’ve never heard a wedding guest say, “That wedding was so awesome. We had nothing to do!”  Ensure that your guests have fun on your big day.  Book a great DJ as soon as you can (the best DJs book fast-here’s how to decide if your DJ is top notch).  Get a photo booth to give your guests something to do when they’re not dancing—and so they have a memento from a great time.  For your youngest guests (the kids!), give them coloring sheets, crayons, and other fun games and entertainment that they—and their parents—can appreciate.

Conspire for a surprise

Part of the fun of hiring one of the best wedding entertainment companies (DJ or band) is the potential to plan a big surprise that none of your guests know about.  Whether it’s a surprise first dance, or a flash mob, or…. (shhh!) another fun surprise, make sure you plan it well advance with your DJ or band to make sure it goes flawlessly during your wedding reception.

Keep them fed

Don’t stop feeding your guests once dinner is over.  Schedule a course of late night snacks that’ll keep your wedding guests dancing (another reason to hire an awesome DJ) and having fun throughout your wedding reception.  Talk to your caterer about options, or make arrangements for a food truck or vendor on your own—your guests’ll thank you when they’re having fun.