3. Are the wedding ceremony and the reception at the same venue?
Make sure guests know the locations of the venue, whether there’s one, two or three. Being transparent with what’s happening where will help them get organised and make plans such as transport, childcare etc. The last thing you want is for your guests to get lost and feel flustered on the day. Another tip would be to add a map to this particular FAQ, and clear directions to the reception venue (if different) would also help.
4. Will the ceremony or reception be indoors or outdoors?
Guests love to be prepared so it’s only fair to give them a heads up about the logistics, especially if the weather could be a major factor. They’ll need to know whether to pack sunscreen, a jacket and / or an umbrella!
5. Is the venue wheelchair accessible?
It’s super important to make guests aware if a venue is accessible by wheelchair. And if not, the arrangements that need to be put in place to make their experience as comfortable as everyone elses.
6. What time should we arrive at the wedding?
Most guests should know to arrive in good time before the start of the ceremony, but let’s be honest, there’s always one or two that end up running late! We would advise you to ask your guests to arrive an hour before the ceremony is due to start. You could always look into putting on a co*cktail hour while they wait, or some live music. Ultimately, the earlier they arrive, the earlier you can all start celebrating!
7. Is there available parking?
Another important logistical aspect to consider. Assuming you’ve already scoped out the parking situation for your venue(s), it is always polite to let your guests know where they can park and whether it is free, paid parking (and how much) or a valet service.
8. Is there anywhere local we can stay?
Naturally guests may want to enjoy the party and not have to drive home, and who can blame them! Or maybe they’ve travelled a long distance to be part of your special day so therefore need some overnight accommodation. Give them a helping hand by including your venue’s accommodation options (if they have some), and / or a list of local B&Bs or hotels near the reception venue on your wedding website. Direct them here and let them make their own bookings, even this small gesture will be greatly appreciated.
9. Are children allowed?
It’s totally fine if you’ve decided to have a child-free wedding, you just need to let them down gently. Explain kindly on your FAQ that although you love their little ones, you have made the decision for this to be a fun weekend for the adults so that everyone can relax and enjoy the happy occasion. This is a perfectly suitable response to a potentially tricky situation.
10. Are there local childminders in the area?
Doing a little bit of research on behalf of your guests may be helpful for those parents who have travelled to the wedding and need a trusted sitter for the day / night. Don’t forget to ask your venue if they have any recommended childminders in the first instance and include their contact details in the FAQs too. This could really help someone out and could mean the difference between them attending your wedding or not being able to.
11. Is there a dress code and what should I wear?
Every couple’s wedding plans and aesthetic is different. Some might like guests to be formal and stick to a specific dress code, whilst others might be happy for their guests to wear whatever they feel most comfortable in. Whatever your preference, popping this information into the FAQ will help guests feel more prepared all round.
12. Will there be food and drinks served?
Whilst you’d hope it was a given that you’d be feeding your guests and making sure they have some refreshments, some people don’t like to presume. Plus it is always good practice to let your guests know about specific paid bars, free bars, or unusual dining arrangements. We want everyone to feel relaxed right!?
13. What should we do if we have dietary requirements?
This is another vital detail that should be made obvious on your invitations, and on their RSVP. When including your RSVP details, make it clear where guests can add their dietary requirements (pescatarian, vegetarian or vegan etc). Not only will they be able to enjoy their meal, it will also help you (and your caterers) when organising the wedding breakfast arrangements.
14. What can we bring you as a gift?
Again, this is a personal choice and down to the wedding couple. Some couples like to set up a wedding registry / wishing well and some like to simply ask guests for their company. Whatever you decide to go with, include these details on your wedding invitations (if it will fit!), definitely pop them on your wedding website (including a link to relevant websites) and then repeat this in the FAQ too. This way your guests will know exactly what’s expected of them and can gift you something you want / need or feel comfortable turning up empty-handed if that’s what you’ve requested.
15. Can I bring a plus one?
First things first, it is absolutely fine if you have a strict limit on your guest list – we know that sometimes every plate counts! Imagine if you invited every plus one you could…exactly! Explaining politely that you have a strict invite-only wedding is totally ok and they should respect your choices.
16. Do you have a wedding itinerary?
Now this depends on how much information you want to give away! Some (nosy) guests would probably love to know every last detail, but that would spoil some of the fun, right? We would suggest including a brief run down of the timings of your special day to make those attending feel more ready for the celebrations whilst leaving an element of surprise for the big day too.
17. Any local recommendations for food?
As with accommodation if your guests are travelling to your wedding they may want to make a mini vacation of the occasion so including some great places to eat and grab a drink will add a really nice touch to your FAQs.
18. Can we take photos at the ceremony?
You’re probably already weighing up whether to have an unplugged ceremony or not. If you’re not sure what that is, head to our previous blog, ‘What’s an Unplugged Ceremony, and Should I Have One?’. Guests taking photos with phones can ruin your professional wedding photos, fact. We would suggest leaving the big moments to your booked photographer but give your guests opportunities to take photos during the day. Making this clear in the FAQ (and having some signage to reiterate this on the day) will help everyone understand what the etiquette is.
19. Are there any other events going on in the area?
Some guests might like to make a trip out of the wedding, even if it’s just overnight, so adding a few interesting or fun events they could attend around the wedding day could help them make a real occasion out of their trip.
20. Who shall we contact if we have any other questions?
We would strongly recommend creating a wedding-specific email address that you and your partner have access to. That way you can keep all of your correspondence in one place and will help you stay more organised…and manage your stress levels!
