All weddings, no matter the cost, should try to reveal a couple’s individual taste and sense of style. Truly one of the most important things that can make your day unique is ensuring it reflects the things that you both love as a couple, and sharing your personalities with loved ones. Naturally, all brides and grooms also want their guests to have the best day possible too and to share with them the creation of their fondest memories; so when it comes to making an impression on the guests – as well as making it even more magical for the newlyweds – there are a certain few ideas that can add a serious ‘wow’ factor impact to your special day, whatever your style may be!
Whether you have a reasonable budget and are not sure where your pennies are best spent, or whether you are on a tight budget, but still want to create something that leaves a lasting impression on your guests; these ideas are sure to provide a bit of inspiration. Even if you only use a couple of these suggestions, they will certainly not disappoint!
1. Lighting
The right reception lighting can add serious ‘wow!’ to any wedding. Not only can it highlight your favourite details such as your centrepieces, cake table, or anything else you want to show off to guests, it can also help camouflage sore spots like worn out windows or even tatty curtains. If your budget allows, have a lighting designer assist with arranging lighting to enhance a drab walkway or create just the right ambience ahead of the evening’s celebrations (usually designers offer several different lighting colours for you to choose from). If you want to go it alone, then decorative hanging lanterns, crystal chandeliers and fairy lights are also great ways to transform a space from plain to ‘wow!’ Many companies hire out chandeliers and other lighting arrangements for the day, but if you fancy being thrifty, then you can always find lighting solutions on eBay or browse your local reclamation yard or antique centre for chandeliers or vintage lighting. It also pays to consider lighting communal areas outside of the main reception room at your chosen venue that often get overlooked, such as bathrooms (with candles or hurricane lamps), or lobby’s where guests often gather for a chat!
2. Ceremony Decoration
Many brides (and grooms) often get so immersed in planning the décor for the reception that the location for the ceremony can often get overlooked. First impressions count – a pretty or personalised venue will give your ceremony the edge. Flowers, whilst stunning, are probably the most expensive form of décor, so if on a budget, use arrangements sparingly but where guests will notice. Flowers by the ceremony entrance or around the door add impact, as well as having them where you will be standing for your nuptials (note: these arrangements can also be re-used at your reception venue later). Floral arrangements do look beautiful at the end of pews or aisle seats, but there are many wonderful alternatives. Hanging black and white photos in frames of the happy couple along the aisle chairs using a shade of pretty ribbon from your colour scheme will look lovely and provide a talking point. Large candles never fail to make an impact – lining candles in glass lanterns along the sides of the aisle will create a beautifully illuminated walkway that draws the eye. If you are lucky enough to be planning an outdoor wedding, then ribbon streamers hanging from trees that move with the breeze or hanging glass ornaments that reflect sunlight will look striking. Petals scattered down the aisle will also romanticise your ceremony venue.
3. Food & Drink
It’s a long day for guests, especially if they’ve had to travel beforehand. Have some drinks and nibbles after the ceremony to keep people going until the wedding breakfast. A good idea is to use this point in the day to have a food vendor supply guests with some fun treats – ice cream, doughnuts, hot dogs – you name it, your guests will certainly eat it (and love you all the more for it!) If your budget doesn’t quite stretch to the hire of a food vendor, then ask close friends who are a dab hand in the kitchen to help you make some treats to set up a nibbles table – cakes, pastries, milkshakes or hot chocolate will keep guests entertained whilst you are having your photos taken. For the evening, arrange for a buffet or hog roast for around 8-9pm for the additional guests and for the day guests that are still peckish! A great ‘wow’ idea is to serve a variety of miniature versions of your favourite meals together as a couple for the evening food, which will certainly satisfy hungry guests. This can be anything from miniature tacos and fajitas to little pots of macaroni cheese or toasted sandwiches! Comfort food is always best appreciated after a long day, when canapés and light bites probably won’t quite fill up empty tummies, and is better value for money overall. Remember to have jugs or bottles of water dotted around for parched guests who might not want to queue at the bar if they are in the middle of dancing the night away!
4. The little things matter
Something that makes a wedding day all the more memorable is the little touches that show your guests you care just as much about their enjoyment as your own, and will certainly have them talking about it for months – even years – afterwards! The best way to ensure all little things are covered is to draw on your own experiences as a wedding guest over the years and whether you felt like something was missing, or to try and visualise yourself as a guest at your own wedding and work out what you would enjoy. As previously mentioned, hungry guests can equal grumpy guests so certainly ensure there is enough food and drink to go around, and remember tea and coffee as an option for elderly guests! Another thoughtful gesture is to keep an eye on the weather forecast a few weeks up to the wedding day and ensure there are things on hand that can be used in the event of a heat wave – paper fans will provide a welcome relief if there is no air conditioning at your chosen venue, and a collection of umbrellas by the door will not only provide shade if it’s too hot, but also protection in the event of a downpour. A little entertainment between the ceremony and wedding breakfast is always appreciated by guests – this could be a magician or entertainer, or for a cheaper alternative perhaps you could ask one of your musically talented friends to play the guitar or piano whilst guests mingle?
5. Music
Music is certainly important in ensuring guests have a fab time during the evening, and an empty dance floor is never ideal. In keeping with showing off your ‘couple personality’, choose a first dance song that best represents you both – even if it is heavy metal! In terms of the rest of the evening’s music, it’s always best to ensure it is varied so that it can be enjoyed by all of the guests at your wedding. This isn’t always an easy task as there will no doubt be a varied age range – but a novel idea is to have a little space on your RSVP card where your guests can write their favourite upbeat song of all time. Collate the requests into a list and give them to your DJ ahead of time so that he/she can play some of these during the party. It also might be appreciated by guests if you have a couple of slower songs play every hour or so to ensure they can have a breather, grab some food or give their feet some rest! If you are having a band play at your wedding, it’s good if they can cover some more popular songs as well as their own so that the music can be enjoyed and recognised by everyone.
6. Guest table entertainment
We’ve all been there – as a guest at previous weddings you’ve been placed at a table at the wedding breakfast with a few strangers (or perhaps someone you aren’t particularly fond of) and you’ve felt a little uncomfortable. Naturally, you cannot please every single guest at your wedding, but it is always thoughtful to have a few little entertainment ideas placed at tables that not only provide a talking point to break the ice, but keep guests laughing and can be a useful distraction! Quizzes, fun facts about the couple, little photo albums of friends and family members and ‘eye spy’ type games are always good for entertainment before the speeches commence.
7. Photography
We all know how important photography is for a wedding in capturing your special day, but there are some moments that the photographer may not always be able to capture, such as moments between guests. Many brides and grooms have provided disposable cameras for guest tables and inevitably ended up with a collection of blurry photos or realised later on that the flash wasn’t on… etc. In the days of social media, and with more people owning a phone with a great quality camera, it pays to ask people to upload their photos to photo sharing applications like Instagram, using a hashtag that you have both come up with (such as your married name) so that you are able to search for the photos afterwards. The other bonus is that the photos are available pretty much immediately to view, rather than waiting for them to be developed a couple of days later!
In your experience, what has been your ‘wow factor’ moment as a wedding guest? What have people raved about the most when attending your own wedding? Please do comment below!
Speak soon,
Becky ❤
Pretty Things & Wedding Rings 