Turndown service: Pamper your wedding guests with nightly treats

BY CINDY SOSROUTOMO 

There’s nothing better than returning to your hotel room after a long day of sightseeing and finding your bed freshly made, your pillows fluffed and a small chocolate or single flower on the nightstand. Turndown service, now a standard at luxury hotels, has long been a way to show appreciation for guests and provide exceptional comfort. In that same spirit, couples having destination weddings are finding fun and creative ways to make turndown service a nightly ritual for their wedding guests. Here are some of our favourite ideas.

Delight wedding guests with nightly turndown service

Something delicious.

Highlight your chosen destination by gifting your guests with a local treat. In the Caribbean? Pick up some plantain chips or coconut cookies at the local market. Getting married in Europe? Wrap up individual chocolates and leave one on your wedding guests’ pillows. Other yummy ideas include caramel popcorn, candied nuts, chocolate bars, artisanal jams and tropical fruits. Whatever you give, the key is to keep it small, a tasty teaser for the following night’s delight.

Something fun.

Ensure your guests have a ball at your destination wedding by leaving a fun trinket in their room. This can be an inflatable beach ball stamped with your initials, a deck of cards emblazoned with your engagement photos, retro candy reminiscent of days from childhood, or a bottle of bubbles and bubble wand customized with your wedding date. You can also opt for a mini bottle of liqueur, a travel-sized board game or a monogrammed frisbee.

Something practical. 

There’s bound to be something your guests will have forgotten to pack for your destination wedding. Make sure the essentials are covered by leaving a travel-sized bottle of sunscreen, hand sanitizer, bug spray, shampoo or body lotion on their nightstand. Other good ideas include earplugs, an eye mask, a hairbrush or a portable charger. Dress these items up with a pretty bow and a handwritten note on heavy card stock.

Something about you.

Say something about you and your partner with a small token inspired by your shared history, culture or interests. Whether you love to travel, drink wine or met on a golf course, little gifts like personalized luggage tags, coasters or a pack of golf tees are a great way to share your love story with your wedding guests. Attach a small note describing the meaning behind the gift for an extra special touch.

Something local.

Showcase the charm of your wedding destination by leaving a small, locally-made item in your guests’ rooms each night. This could be a handcrafted soap, a miniature piece of pottery, a woven bracelet, or a small piece of artwork by a local artist. Not only does this give your wedding guests a taste of the local culture, it also supports the community you’re visiting. Include a brief note explaining the item’s significance or origin to make this wedding favour even more meaningful.

Something relaxing.

Help your guests unwind after a day of wedding festivities by providing a relaxation-themed turndown gift. This could be a small sachet of lavender to place under their pillow, a calming essential oil roll-on, a sleep-promoting herbal tea bag, or a mini spa kit with a face mask and eye gel patches. You could also leave a card with a QR code linking to a specially curated playlist of soothing music or guided meditation. These thoughtful touches will ensure your wedding guests are well-rested and ready to enjoy every moment of your celebration.