What your guests really care about at your event

Planning and hosting events can become overwhelming with all of the possibilities and details you can include. Should you add extra projections on the walls? How much branding is too much? Do we need flowers AND balloons? One? None? What about favours to take home? How many canapes will satisfy without breaking the budget? Should we add bowl food? A sit down dinner?

Before long you’re pulling your hair out with it all. Trying to make an event your guests will remember in a positive way doesn’t need to be complicated. From experience, here are the top things your guests will really care about, and a few things to skip entirely.

The space: Beautiful spaces are a great bonus when considering a venue for your event. We should know, we have plenty of them. However, this is far from the most important consideration when choosing an event space. It’s all well and good having a gorgeous room for your guests to enjoy, but enjoy they will not if they are crammed up against the wall unable to access the bar. Above all, make sure your space is the correct size for your numbers. Venues will tell you their maximum capacity but make sure you get a sense of what the space would feel like if you maxed it out. While you of course don’t want the event to feel empty in a cavernous space too large for your needs, the alternative is worse so when in doubt, go bigger.

Location, location, location: While we’re on the subject of venues, choosing one in the best location for your event will impact guest numbers, how long they stay, and how much they will enjoy themselves. If in London or other major cities, aim to choose a spot close to public transport and easy to get to. If guests have to trek off the beaten path it may impact your rsvps. Luckily, most corners of London are awash with beautiful and unique venues that fit this bill and sites such as Unique Venues of London and the Westminster Venue Collection can help you find the best fit for your event.

Timing is of the essence: There is no worse feeling than sitting through a conference and needing a break, if you know what I mean. Whether it’s hunger, thirst or other requirements, a well-timed event will ensure your guests’ comfort throughout. Ensure breaks are spaced at reasonable intervals, and consider offering refreshments at each one. There’s nothing quite like the lagging focus that comes from a session just before lunch, or through speeches before anyone has had a bite to eat. Avoid this by ensuring guests are fed, watered and comfortable so they can focus on the content of your event, rather on when the next chance to stretch their legs may be.

Food glorious food: Speaking of mealtimes, it’s a given that food will be the most important and talked about feature of any event. Make sure there’s enough of it, that it suits your guests’ dietary needs, and that it’s good. Fortunately in London we are spoilt for excellent caterers and this is easily achieved, but if you focus on nothing else for your event, let it be the food.

Whatever you choose to prioritise at your event, you want your guests to feel welcomed and comfortable as that will make them much more receptive to the messages you want them to hear. A great venue will make the above fall into place with ease and produce an event you won’t soon forget. If you’d like to learn more, get in touch with our team and see how you can turn your event from good to great.