From Classics to the Latest Trends & Rare Finds: 10 Wedding Hospitality Ideas to Convey Your Feelings to Guests

2021.08.29 published

What hospitality can we do for our wedding?

A wedding is a place to express gratitude to important guests who have cared for the couple up until now.

As the bride and groom, it’s important to make every effort to ensure that guests have a great time.

However, many may still feel unsure about what specific forms of hospitality they can provide…

@wedding____25

Standard forms of hospitality include welcome drinks and finger foods served to guests before the ceremony.

Of course, focusing on the food, extravagant gifts, or small tokens of appreciation is also a form of hospitality.

These aspects can be suggested by the venue planner, so it’s reassuring to consult with a professional.

In this article, we will introduce "Do-It-Yourself hospitality ideas" that care for guests beyond food and performances for brides who are thinking, "Is there anything else we can prepare ourselves?" ♡

From popular ideas to trendy and unique concepts.

If you find any ideas that you can incorporate, please feel free to replicate them♩

@romin_wedding

Hospitality Idea #1 Amenities in the Restroom

The first hospitality idea is to set up amenity items in the restroom.

Stockings, sanitary products, band-aids, deodorant spray, etc…

Amenities are a reflection of the couple’s desire for guests to have a comfortable experience and to solve any problems they may face!

Many brides put great care into the containers and signage as they prepare♡

@0o.aya

For detailed information on what amenity items to prepare, please refer to this article.

Use it as a checklist for preparing amenity items!

➡ A list of wedding amenity goods, from the bare essentials to the surprising!＊

@wdmzre

Hospitality Idea #2 Changing Room / Nursing Room

Providing a guest waiting room separate from the family waiting room is another hospitality idea.

Guests attending weddings come with various circumstances.

Having a space available for guests to use freely before and after the ceremony can be very helpful.

☑ Some guests may want to change into their wedding attire at the venue because they are traveling from afar.

☑ They might need to open their suitcase for organization if they are staying overnight.

☑ Those with babies may want to nurse.

☑ A child may need to be changed into different clothes.

☑ Guests may need to change into outfits for performances.

I often get asked to perform at weddings, and when I was told, "We’ve prepared a waiting room for performers, so feel free to use it," I was really moved.

It was incredibly helpful to leave my performance items there and make last-minute preparations.

Hospitality Idea #3 Towels on Rainy Days

On days with bad weather, you worry whether guests might experience discomfort from rain while traveling, right?

To ensure they can comfortably enjoy the venue, it's great to ask the venue to prepare towels in case rain is forecast for the day.

Don't forget to express your gratitude during the welcome speech or thank-you remarks, saying "Thank you for coming in the rain."

Some brides have even brought in Imabari towels themselves!

@yuih_wd

They even set up a basket for used towels.

Such thoughtful gestures must have impressed the guests.

@yuih_wd

Hospitality Idea #4 Fans for Summer, Hand Warmers for Winter

Preparing hospitality items that suit the seasons is also a popular idea.

In hot summer weather, hand fans or folding fans can be provided.

Male guests who must wear long-sleeved jackets, regardless of the heat, will especially appreciate this.

During heat waves, you might also consider providing not only fans but also ice packs. Stylish ice packs are plentiful in 100-yen shops.

For winter hospitality, hot hand warmers are perfect.

Many brides write handwritten messages on hand warmers or stick original labels when giving them out.

@shi0riri

One bride even handmade covers for hot packs.

She wanted guests to stay warm during a garden ceremony in autumn.

This handmade item was reportedly the most popular of all!

@sr_wedding_1123

Hospitality Idea #5 Lending Charging Batteries

On the day of the wedding, smartphone batteries tend to run low unexpectedly.

While searching directions to the venue or taking lots of photos, guests might find themselves in a situation with no battery!

Providing charged batteries for guests would surely make them happy.

With fully charged batteries, there’s no need to borrow an outlet from the venue, and guests can bring their batteries into the reception hall for charging.

Having cables for both iPhones and Androids would be perfect!

(Creating a return box would help ensure no one forgets to return them♡)

@moo.shii.wedding_0222

Hospitality Idea #6 Photo Albums in the Waiting Area

Waiting times before the ceremony or reception can be a concern, and you want your guests to enjoy themselves during this time.

An excellent hospitality idea during the pre-ceremony and pre-reception is to prepare photo albums.

☑ Pre-wedding photo albums

☑ Honeymoon albums

☑ Childhood albums

☑ Group-specific albums

☑ Graduation albums from elementary, middle, and high school

If you have plenty of these albums available, everyone can enjoy flipping through them.

Time will fly as guests get engaged in conversations reminiscing over the albums.

The ceremony after reminiscing will surely be deeply moving.

@ri____mina

Hospitality Idea #7 Family Albums in the Relatives' Waiting Room

Placing family albums in the relatives' waiting room is a hospitality idea aimed at family guests.

Relatives might arrive at the venue a few hours early for introductions, often leaving them with nothing to do.

Having a family album available can spark conversations among relatives who haven't seen each other in a long time. They will likely enjoy looking through it and reminiscing.

@nishi_wd

Hospitality Idea #8 Tissues for Happy Tears

Next is a hospitality idea originating from overseas.

In overseas weddings, the tears shed by brides during the ceremony are referred to as "Happy Tears." It symbolizes that the bride is shedding tears for perhaps the last time in her life! ♡

Prepare handkerchiefs or tissues for guests to wipe away those happy tears.

Personally, I have never attended a wedding without crying, so I would be thrilled to receive tissues.

(I always end up crying even before walking down the aisle…)

It seems to be popular overseas to wrap them individually in cute plastic bags.

I’d love to incorporate this thoughtful and stylish hospitality idea! ♡

Hospitality Idea #9 Message Plates

An idea for surprising guests with message plates.

☑ Friends celebrating their birthday on the day of the wedding

☑ Friends who helped with the reception or performances

☑ Friends who got engaged or married recently

☑ Couples celebrating their wedding anniversary

☑ Friends who played matchmakers

You can write special messages on dessert plates for guests you particularly want to express gratitude or congratulations to.

If I were a guest, I'd be so touched to know they thought of this surprise amid the challenges of wedding preparations!

@yy16052012

Hospitality Idea #10 Setting Cutlery for Left-Handed Guests

Finally, let me introduce consideration for left-handed guests.

If you have left-handed guests, they might appreciate it if you set the cutlery in reverse for left-handed use.

Left-handed individuals often find themselves switching knives and forks during meals, so they would surely feel appreciated if the cutlery was set for their convenience.

However, since some left-handed people prefer to eat right-handed, it’s best to incorporate this hospitality idea for guests you are close with and have shared meals before.

A Wedding Focused on Hospitality

We have introduced DIY hospitality ideas that you can prepare for your wedding.

Enhancing hospitality for guests will ultimately increase your satisfaction as a couple as well.

By implementing these hospitality ideas, create a wonderful wedding where your care and thoughtfulness are conveyed to your guests! ♡

@coco_wdng