Late-in-Life Weddings: Showing Your Guests a Good Time

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A wedding at any age is a time to be treasured, but whether you’re fifty-eight or eighty-five, planning a ceremony can be stressful. There’s so much to consider – the color scheme, the dress, the floral arrangements- that it’s easy to put your guests on the back burner.

If you’re planning a wedding later in life, though, chances are that some of your older guests may be attending either from their assisted living accommodation or from home with the help of a family member. They may be mobility impaired or disabled and require special accommodations. It’s important to take elderly or handicapped guests into consideration when planning a wedding so that they’re able to relax and enjoy every moment of your ceremony.

Accessibility

When choosing a venue, try to look for one that’s wheelchair accessible. Ramps and a wheelchair accessible bathroom are both must-haves if you’re inviting mobility-impaired guests. If you find your picture-perfect wedding spot and discover that it doesn’t have ramps, you can always build or rent a portable one.

Two-storey buildings should have an elevator if wheelchair-bound guests are expected to reach the second floor. The elevator should have enough clearance to comfortably accommodate standard mobility aids. It’s also a good idea to check and see if a venue’s elevator has braille buttons or a door chime for the visually impaired.

Outdoor areas may not be the be the best choice for your wedding, as rain before or during the ceremony can make the ground muddy. This turns the area into a tripping hazard and makes it difficult to use mobility devices – not to mention, it could ruin your beautiful white dress.

Seating

When seating guests, aisle spots should be reserved for individuals in wheelchairs or who require mobility aids. You should also leave plenty of room at tables where guests with wheelchairs will be seated during your reception. There should be one less chair at any table where a guest with a wheelchair will sit to allow for enough room.

Dining

Older adults often have unique nutritional needs, and when planning a wedding, you need to take these needs into consideration. You should have several options of food available for guests who have dietary restrictions, such as vegetarian dishes, low-salt meals, and low-sugar options.

Parking and Transportation

Your venue should have enough handicapped spots close to the building to accommodate guests that have trouble walking long distances. If there are not enough handicapped spaces, it’s a good idea to allocate some spots near the entrance to disabled guests. For those who can’t drive, you may want to set up a shuttle or taxi service.

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