Part III - Touch - What guests feel
In my last post, I spoke about sight, sound, smell, taste, and there effect on an event. In this piece, I will follow up with the last sense which is touch, and explain how this sensory can also affect an event. Now let us begin.
Touch has two dimensions. There is the physical sense of touch and the feelings that you can create in your guests.
Your event's story starts with your invitations, which is the first information about your event that your guests will touch and then make their own decisions. You can spend a lot of thoughtful time making sure that the invitations are the best introduction possible to your upcoming event.
When your guests arrive at your event, they will feel the temperature in the room. If not done right, they will engage with the sense of sound, because you are going to hear it. Your guests are going to feel the chairs they sit in, the linens, the china and the glassware they handle, the food and beverages that you plan to serve, as well as any intriguing décor with easy grasp.
These many things are going to feel dry, feel wet, feel clean, feel dirty, feel uncomfortable, feel hot, feel cold, feel lukewarm, feel hard, feel soft, feel smooth or feel fresh. They are going to touch and take home with them mementos of the evening. I hope that they will be the gifts you provided, not the linens, serving items and vases you rented and must return.
In regards to what I consider, the second dimension of touch, your guests are going to have feelings created in anticipation of, during, and after your event. It begins when they receive your invitation and decide if they feel like attending.
After they arrive, they will decide if they feel welcome at your event. Early on at your event, they should feel the fun, the energy, or the excitement in the room. Moreover, if you have chosen the right music, they should feel like dancing. Do you get the picture?
Ideally, at the end of the evening, your guests should feel like it is too soon to leave. Will your guests reach out to touch and shake your hand or give you a big hug of thanks? Will they feel your warmth and appreciation? Will you have touched their hearts? Will they remember your wedding for some time to come? If the answer is yes, then you probably gave them a total experience.
Until then… Happy Planning!
Related: (previous post) What Will Your Invitations Say About Your Wedding
This is a unique approach to wedding planning, but I can see how it could work well. Anything pleasing to the senses, is pleasing in general.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely. Our five senses are in control of how we react to any and everything. Thanks for visiting and sharing your feedback. Please share.
ReplyDeleteNever thought about it this way. It makes sense, thanks. Would definitely consider all the five senses. :)
ReplyDeleteAll events should be about how you entertain the five senses. Thanks for visiting and sharing your feedback. Please share.
DeleteWhat a helpful and wonderful post! These are some amazing ideas, I never would have thought of it like this. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteNo problem. Thanks for visiting and sharing your feedback. Please share.
DeleteMy sister just had her wedding a few months ago and it can be a stressful and crazy time for sure. It was a blast but lots of work. Thanks for sharing :)
ReplyDeletePlease congratulate her for us! Yes, planning your own wedding is very stressful, especially, if you are not working with the right tools or have the right person at your side. Thanks for sharing your feedback and visiting. Please share.
DeleteI think its great to incorporate your guest experience into your wedding as much as the bride and groom. great tips.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely. It's important to make sure your guests enjoy themselves, and remember the good time they had after the big day. Thanks for visiting and sharing your feedback. Please share.
DeleteThis is a great way to approach wedding planning! When I got married, I didn't even think of it this way. It would have been a lot less stressful.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear that you had a stressful time planning your wedding, but it worked out in the long run, right? In the light of things, you can use these tips for your anniversary. Thanks for visiting and sharing your feedback. Please share.
DeleteI like the idea of making the invitations inviting. You look at it and the feel of what you are touching such as papyrus will make you feel welcome and willing to go. I love it. Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThank you. Yes, your invitations shed a light into your event/wedding. This lets your guests feel like they are a part of your story, and they will look forward to your big day. Thanks for visiting and sharing your feedback. Please share.
DeleteI have also never seen this approach. Typically it is more of the who, what, when, where, why and how.
ReplyDeleteIt's the same approach, but you are including the five senses so that your guests will appreciate the entire event. This approach is guaranteed to have your guests enjoying themselves and wishing there is not an end time. Thanks for visiting and sharing your feedback. Please share.
DeleteThis is such a great way to hosting or planning an event. I love seeing guests leaving looking happier than when they first walked in.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely. Guests will remember your event for the right reasons. They will sing your praise after the big day. Thanks for visiting and sharing your feedback. Please share.
DeleteWhat a unique approach and great ideas. Love reading this wonderful post!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind words. Thanks for visiting and sharing your feedback. Please share.
DeleteWhat a unique way to planning a wedding. Definitely worth looking into some more. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThank you. It's all about making your special day great, and at the same time, make sure your guests are enjoying themselves. Thanks for visiting and sharing your feedback. Please share.
DeleteI've never planned a wedding before but I am sure its so stressful. This will come in handy
ReplyDeleteYes, planning a wedding can be stressful, especially, if you are not equipped with the tools and have the right person at your side to help you through. Thanks for visiting and sharing your feedback. Please share
DeleteWeddings are such a big deal and take a lot of planning. Anything to help reduce the stress is always helpful.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you. If you don't have the right tools and the right person at your side, then yes, it will be a nightmare. Thanks for visiting and sharing your feedback. Please share.
DeleteI've never thought about using the five senses to plan a wedding but it makes complete sense. Your wedding should be an experience the touches every sense, especially touch.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely. Including the five senses for a total experience will always get you an overall reaction from your guests; it doesn't matter what type of event you plan. Thanks for visiting and sharing your feedback. Please share.
DeleteA great deejay seems to be key for a great reception. Great music and staying engaged with your guest will keep people on the dance floor, and before they realize, it's over! Great food for thought, for those planning a wedding.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely. The DJ is the beginning and end of the reception, not to forget about the food. The DJ should always be mindful of what he does and say in front of the guests. Thanks for visiting and sharing your feedback. Please share.
DeleteI have never thought to enter the thought process of planning a wedding with the senses. It is clever and a great idea for any event!
ReplyDeleteThank you. It's always about entertaining the five senses. Thanks for visiting and sharing your feedback. Please share.
DeleteI remember all the planning that went into my wedding then it seemed to be over so fast! The real accomplishment was everyone just enjoyed company
ReplyDeleteGood to hear that you and your guests had a wonderful experience at your wedding. Thanks for visiting and sharing your feedback. Please share.
DeleteI feel like "feel" is one of the more underrated senses when it comes to wedding planning, but it IS important! I accidentally end up watching a lot of shows like 4 Weddings on TLC and the brides always talk about the feel of things like utensils, which are SO important to the overall presentation of a wedding. Great post!
ReplyDeleteThis true. Touch is very important to planning an event. When you see guests feeling the linens or utensils, they are making a decision on whether or not this is going to be a great event. So, it's good to make sure that you include all five senses in your planning. Thanks for visiting and sharing your feedback. Please share.
DeleteGreat to know those senses on wedding. These are really helpful ideas though I am married now and this is really a kind of plan that everyone is looking for.
ReplyDeleteThank you for visiting and sharing your feedback. Please share.
DeleteThose are great tips for somebody who is getting married soon. They will definitely appreciate your thoughtfully curated suggestions and ideas
ReplyDeleteThank you. Thanks for visiting and sharing your feedback. Please share.
DeleteNowadays, weddings are not just a ceremony for the couple but also a unique event for the guests to experience. We ended up giving too much focus on guests experience to avoid embarassment to all.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely. Your wedding is about you and your guests enjoying themselves and remembering after the big day. I hope you had a great wedding, though. Thank you for visiting and sharing your feedback. Please share.
DeleteThis is truly interesting, I want to take similar approach when I come to this stage in my life.
ReplyDeleteThank you. Thanks for visiting and sharing your feedback. Please share.
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