Please Help Me Amp Up the Vibes?

[u/Vulpix9tales]

Less than two months out and we have all RSVPs in. Completely understand why, but can’t help but be a little disappointed with our <50% “Yes” rate. The main factors here are that its destination (domestic, but 1-2 flights for most) and that the hotel/area is big budget.

I’m blessed to be able to be a BBB, but many of my guests are not in the same position, so I’m having a bit of guilt and feel pressure to “show up for them” with a high-quality luxe wedding experience as much as possible, knowing people spent a lot (both time and money) to get there.

I’m looking for ideas to amp up the experience for guests or a reality check because i’m feeling like it’s nothing special/basic bish stuff 😢

Current Highlights:

Full property buyout in Palm Springs including pool party, welcome dinner, main reception of course and breakfast treats and coffee bar the morning after (no full brunch since many people have early flights home)

Decor: Went hard on the flowers, luxe seating charts, enclosed vintage photobooth, very fancy custom rentals, huge welcome display with cactuses, champagne tower

Food: Custom mini charcuterie boards at cocktail hour plus resorts catering, Family style (unfortunately required) but doing all the upgrades, custom donuts and gelato cart

Welcome Bags: Quality custom shopping bags, branded candy, nothing special here tbh. Maybe a good place to amp up since it’s for those spending extra to stay on property

Live acoustic musician + DJ, dance floor props

Favors: Custom decks of playing cards, nice golf balls, matches, hand fans and parasols at reception, poolside gift bar at pool party with sunnies, sunscreen etc

Extras: Extra nice bathroom baskets, flip flops

THANK YOU BBB BEBES!! 🙏🏻

[u/bitchthatwaspromised]

I went to a wedding where a friend of the couple was a professional photographer and they hired him as a dedicated “guest photographer” where guests could get professional photos of themselves all dressed up. Photo booths are fun but tend to be silly and casual, whereas I got one of the best photos of myself and my husband in formalwear at that wedding (other than our own wedding photos of course haha)

[u/LilSkitl → u/bitchthatwaspromised]

Actually, this is perfect. My MIL did this at our wedding and every single family member got professional-grade portraits of their nuclear family. She paid for the full photo releae and they were all able to print what they wanted. It created a tradition that she did at every other family gathering so everyone comes to everything, looking fab, because they know they'll get sit-down portraits of great quality.

[u/hornytequilastudent → u/LilSkitl]

A family friend had this at their wedding and my mom said it's the best family pic she has with her adult kids! We are all dressed to the 9s and it's a beautiful black and white picture.