Exclusive Feature: In order for a wedding to be a success, many moving parts all have to align: Caterers have to be on time and ready to cook, guests need to show up before the ceremony begins, the bride and groom have to get ready and remember their vows and it can all be rather overwhelming!.
Many brides realize the enormity of wedding responsibilities early on in the planning process and look for ways to consolidate tasks. This is why they will often call hotels to find out what's available for wedding ceremonies and large guest parties.
Hotels have jumped into the wedding business, as hoteliers realize the wedding industry is profitable and can attract more guests to their hotel.
Not sure how your hotel can "wow" soon-to-be newlyweds? With a little planning, you can help make a wedding experience magical from start to finish. Read on to learn some easy tips you can use to impress wedding parties.
1. Write a Note
A handwritten note goes a long way, especially in the age of technology. Writing thank-you cards isn't a common practice anymore, which is why a note can be a powerful gift from hotel staff. Write a few and place them in different rooms before the wedding, or just fill one out and leave it in the couple's room before they get back from their ceremony. It shows that you care for them and want to celebrate the start of this new stage of their life. Simple gestures like this increase your chances of receiving positive reviews and establishing brand loyalty!
2. Leave a Brochure
Visitors at your hotel are likely far enough away from home that they don't know the local area as much as hotel management does. That's why it's worthwhile to come up with the perfect welcome book for your guests. Your book should show them all the romantic spots for dates and dining, along with any upcoming festivals and other events that could help make their memories of their visiting experience even better.
3. Provide Flowers for Guests
Another common way people like to celebrate a big event is by sending flowers. You can provide flowers for guests upon arrival, or have them sent to their door the morning after the wedding. Much like a thank-you note, they'll be able to take this gesture home with them. It will also make their hotel room look more personalized and beautiful, making them feel comfortable and welcomed.
4. Inform the Wedding Party
The bride and groom may want their wedding guests to stay in the same hotel as them, which provides an opportunity for hotels to streamline information. When guests arrive, you might consider letting them know who's already there from the wedding party. Offer the chance to have the front desk call those rooms so they can meet up with their friends and family. It's also helpful for the bride, groom and — if they have one — the wedding planner to receive updates on who's arrived and if any plans have been delayed for certain guests.
5. Offer an In-House Photographer
Weddings are romantic, but also expensive. Couples on a budget may feel panicked about the cost of everything, especially when they start looking to book hotel rooms. Newlyweds-to-be will be impressed if they find a hotel that also offers an in-house photographer to those who want to get married on site. Hotel weddings are growing in popularity. An in-house photographer can set your hotel apart from the rest, especially now that people are realizing stand-alone photographers can sometimes be the most expensive cost associated with a wedding.
6. Plan Ahead in Case of Inclement Weather
Whether a wedding is happening on site or the guests need to travel to a venue, you can help them anticipate how the weather may affect their plans. Provide extra umbrellas on the day of the wedding so no one has to run out in the rain. Keep plenty of water bottles in stock for on-site weddings that will be held outdoors in the heat. These small efforts can make a major impact on how much your guests enjoy their day.
7. List Restaurants That Deliver
Upon returning from their wedding, the newlyweds may not feel like venturing out into the city for a bit. Provide a list of restaurants that deliver to the hotel so they know what their options are beyond room service. Couples who are from out of town or even a different country will appreciate not having to call up restaurants to find the ones that deliver.
8. Work out Party Discounts
Work with couples who have large wedding parties by figuring out if you can offer room discounts for their guests. Blocking rooms is a common practice that wedding planners often do ahead of time, so offer this service upfront and consider tacking on a discount. Offering a simple discount can bring more business from guests who need a hotel willing to work with a budget.
9. Provide Discounted Amenities
Some hotels charge guests an extra fee for things like WiFi or gym access, but you'll attract more newlyweds if you offer them discounted amenities instead. Consider giving guests even just a few dollars off of amenities so they can enjoy their visit even more comfortably. On-site restaurant coupons are another way to impress newlyweds who may want to celebrate by dining out.
10. Manage a Later Checkout Time
Checkout times are standard for hotels, but why not extend it a bit for newlyweds? After rushing around to plan their wedding, they'll enjoy having even an extra hour or two to get ready for the travel home or to their next destination. It's an effort that doesn't really cost your hotel anything to provide, but it'll mean a lot to newlyweds who need to recharge.
There are always new ways to impress your hotel guests if you get creative and are sometimes willing to think outside of the box. Consider providing perks like an on-site wedding photographer, flowers, congratulatory notes and discounts wherever possible.
Simple gestures like these can help newlyweds make even better memories at your hotel, which may even convince them to come back and relive what ended up being the best time of their lives!
This is strictly an exclusive feature, reprints of this article in any shape or form without prior written approval from 4Hoteliers.com is not permitted.
Kacey Bradley is the blogger behind The Drifter Collective, an eclectic lifestyle blog that expresses various forms of style through the influence of culture and the world around us. Kacey graduated with a degree in Communications while working for a lifestyle magazine. She has been able to fully embrace herself with the knowledge of nature, the power of exploring other locations and cultures, all while portraying her love for the world around her through her visually pleasing, culturally embracing and inspiring posts. Along with writing for her blog, she has written for sites like U.S. News, SUCCESS, Ruffled, and more!
www.driftercollective.com
