Details make the difference for your wedding guests

Is your wedding day really all about you? In some ways it is, but in others, it's very much about other people too. While the ceremony is certainly about you and your fiance, the reception is about your guests - something that becomes apparent as you plan your event. After the vows have been said and the rice thrown, you want to make sure that your guests have a wonderful time at the reception.

Consider how much effort you put into pleasing your guests. You take on the delicate task of creating seating assignments so that no one will end up feeling left out or awkward. You design table settings and decorations to give them a beautiful setting. You give them dining options that allow them to choose what meal they'll like best.

What you're really saying, in doing all this for your guests, is "thank you for being a part of our day." It's important to make your guests feel special because they've often traveled long distances, bought gifts and made changes to their schedules to be there to celebrate with you. And when your guests are having a great time, it will make your day even more joyful.

Luckily, adding guest-friendly touches to your reception is easy and doesn't have to add too much extra expense to your budget. Here are some ideas for making your guests feel like they're an important part of your wedding.

* You can get your guests involved from the very beginning. On your RSVP cards, have the printer add a space where guests can make a song request. Not only will this make for a diverse playlist, it'll get your guests excited and out on the dance floor when their song is played.

* Set out a wedding guest book and ask everyone to sign it. Decorate the table it's placed on with childhood photos, or wedding pictures of your parents and grandparents, for a nostalgic touch. You could also ask your guests to write their marriage advice in the guest book, giving them the opportunity to share fun anecdotes from their lives with you.

* Do everything you can to greet and personally thank every one of your guests. Receiving lines are one classic way to do this, but if you take photos after your ceremony, you may need to take time during the cocktail hour or meal to make the rounds.

* At your reception, give every guest a favor. Whether you set boxes of truffles at each place setting or display packets of Jordan almonds in a decorative basket, give a little something back. While it might seem like a lot of items to buy, it's easier than ever to find discount wedding favors on sites like AnnsBridalBargains.com. You can get favor boxes and bags customized to match your theme, and personalize the items by adding your monogram and wedding date.

Organizing a wedding is no small feat, so it's smart to cut down on the number of vendors you buy from. Seek out websites like AnnsBridalBargains.com that allow you to buy items like favors, wedding napkins and guest books and offer free personalization with your purchase. It'll save time and money, in addition to streamlining your planning process.

Courtesy of ARAcontent