12 Ideas That Will Be a Big Hit with Wedding Guests

Planning & Advice

Looking to make sure your wedding guests are well looked after on your Big Day? These 12 ideas are sure to be a hit!

1. Ribbons for their cars

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Photo from Ross & Amy’s real wedding by DKPHOTO

Make sure your guests don’t have to worry about wrong turns by leaving baskets of maps and celebratory ribbons at the back of the ceremony venue so guests can tie them to their cars. It’s a lovely way for everyone to feel part of the celebrations and it’ll make it easier to follow someone who (fingers crossed!) knows where they’re going.

2. Betting slips for the speeches

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Photo from Sharon & Tadhg’s real wedding by Eden Photography

If you’re looking to have a bit of craic during the speeches and make it easy for your guests to hedge their bets on how long they’re going to last, a wedding speech sweepstake will get guests mingling and will create a bit of friendly competition. These uber cute betting slips were designed by Sharon & Tadhg’s stationery designer but if you’re looking to pick up some ready made ones, Appleberry Press stock one as well.

3. A wedding hashtag so they can get tagging

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Photo from Kathleen & Gary’s real wedding by The Fennells

If you want to make sure you don’t miss any of the wedding action, create your very own personalised hashtag so guests can tag their photos on the likes of Instagram or Wedpics. It’s a lovely way to get guests involved plus you get lots more photos for the album!

4. Anything food related

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Photo from Julie & Sean’s real wedding by Michelle Prunty Photography

Late night eats, ice cream vanscandy buffets, dessert tables – the way to your guests hearts is defo through their stomach! Treat your guests to their favourite childhood sweet treats with a candy buffet, let them get the ultimate sugar fix with an awesome dessert table or ensure they’ve plenty of energy come midnight with some tasty late night snacks. Food Stations are a big trend for 2016/2017 weddings with couples serving up everything from pizza slices and crisp sambos to chip shop faves like burgers, hotdogs and curry or garlic cheese chips – the perfect pick me up after a few hours on the dance floor.

5. Fun entertainment

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Photo from Julie & Sean’s real wedding by Michelle Prunty Photography

If you’re looking to give your guests a memorable experience and keep them entertained, think fun and games. There can be a bit of a lull after the ceremony and before the band get started so leave out old board games for them to enjoy, rent lawn games like Connect 4 or Giant Jenga or if you’re looking to really impress wedding guests, magicians, comedians, caricature artists, singing waiters or some traditional Irish dancers are sure to be a big hit.

6. Get them involved

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Photo from Julie & Sean’s real wedding by Michelle Prunty Photography

The guest book has really evolved over the years and is now a feature in itself. Make sure it’s fun and interactive and you can be sure your guests will make it their mission to get to it. Fun ideas include a polaroid guest book, caricature guest book, a finger print tree or a jigsaw or framed photo for them to sign. You could also ask them for some creative date ideas, places you should visit together or what you should do every day as a married couple!

7. Table fun

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Photo from Emily & David’s real wedding by DKPHOTO

If you’re looking to keep guests entertained between courses, leave photo props on each table so they can pose and snap away with their cameras or phone! You can be sure there’ll be queues if you opt for a photo booth or video booth later on in the evening too.

8. Leave out flip flops for tired feet

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Photo from Aoife & Mark’s real wedding by Michelle Prunty Photography

Ladies that haven’t quite worn their heels in as well as they’d hoped will only be too delighted to see a ‘flip flop basket’ at your Big Day. Pair it with a cute ‘Dancing Shoes’ sign to encourage lots of dance floor antics.

9. Favours they can use

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Photo from Tara & Fionan’s real wedding by DKPHOTO

Favours can get some bad press but if you are looking to leave out a little ‘thank you’ token for guests, there are some things they will genuinely love. Think anything personal, edible or fun such as a CD full of love songs, a scratch card, a ticket for a draw for a free drink, seeds or plants they can grow at home, take away hot drink kits, a mini bottle of your favourite tipple or sweets for them to nibble on in the taxi home. Another lovely idea they’ll admire is a donation to a charity in lieu of actual favours – check out some gorgeous ways to give back on your Big Day here.

10. Bathroom baskets

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Photo by This Modern Romance via Style Me Pretty

Bathroom baskets are a super thoughtful idea and your guests will flock to them throughout the day. These little hampers full of practical goodies will be welcome by both ladies and gents – include things like wipes, safety pins, mints, mini deodorants, hairspray, scissors and plasters. Check out a handy wedding bathroom basket checklist here!

11. Handy items like umbrellas and shawls

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Photo by Carla Ten Eyck Photography via Style Me Pretty

It’s Ireland so whether you’re having a summer or winter wedding, you never know when it might lash (or hailstone if yesterday is anything to go by) which is why a basket of brollies will come in handy. Guests looking to nip out to their car for something or who want to use the smoking area will definitely be glad of some cover. And if you’re having part of your day al fresco whether it’s drinks on the lawn or late night nibbles by a fire, another lovely gesture is to leave out a basket of shawls and blankets for guests to borrow if they’re feeling chilly.

12. A big ‘Thank You’

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Photo from Tara & Fionan’s real wedding by DKPHOTO

Last but not least, if you’re looking for a simple but sweet way to let guests know how much them being there means to you, pop a simple ‘Thank You’ sign on each table or at a few spots around your venue with some heartfelt words. They’re sure to appreciate this thoughtful gesture.