Since most of your guests have been to a wedding before, you want yours to be special. You want your big day to burst with fresh unexpected experiences and delightful elements—you’re ready to wow your guests… and we’re sure glad you’re here.
We’ve broken down the typical wedding day into 12 sections, and have ideas on how to inject each with something unique.
Whether you use the ideas here that speak to you, or just let them inspire your own, your guests are in for a real treat.
1. One-of-a-Kind Celebration
Let’s begin with some fun ideas on how to truly make your wedding celebration yours:
- Choose a theme (could be an event, a movie, a period in time…)
- Pick a really cool venue
- Celebrate at a different time of day
- Hire a comedian or celebrity impersonator officiant/MC
- Show off your unique style with a cool vintage gown or floral pattern bridesmaid dresses
2. Unique Ceremonies
Here’s how to help your ceremony stand out from the rest:
- Invite your beloved pooch to be the ring bearer
- Write your vows as a poem, or perform them as a song
- Have a sand-blending ritual
- Light a memory candle to include dearly departed loved ones
3. Liven up the Meal
Wedding food need not be boring. Here are some great ideas to treat your guests to something new:
- Have live cooking demonstrations
- Create interactive build-your-own food stations
- Showcase the best of different international cuisines
- Hire a food truck
- Have a popular local restaurant cater
4. Unique Entertainment
Liven up the reception with some fun new entertainment:
- Have a silent disco
- Hire caricature artists to do portraits of your guests
- Hire a live band
- Hire a dance instructor to teach your guests a simple fun dance
- Host custom trivia on how well your guests know the two of you
5. Little Personal Touches
Adding personal touches wherever you can will make your wedding extra special:
- Serve a signature cocktail
- Grow plants for centerpieces, and give to guests as gifts
- Create little book of family recipes
- Include photos or anecdotes; weave in things that are important to you
6. Incorporate Natural Elements
When it comes to décor, nature has it down:
- Create a living flower wall (makes an excellent backdrop for photos!)
- Use branches wrapped in fairy lights and sprigs of greenery as décor
- Create a garden ceremony path
- Light the venue with candles only
- Celebrate outside in a gorgeous natural setting
7. Incorporate Technology
Use technology to your advantage and let it enhance your big day:
- Live stream the event for guests who are unable to attend in person
- Create a digital guestbook where guests can record their well-wishes
- Have a story collection booth where friends and family members can share fond memories
- Create a wedding hashtag so guests can share their pics
8. Fun Activities for Guests
Beyond dancing and socializing with one another, here are some other activities you can set up to keep your guests entertained:
- Have a game station—the game can tie into your theme
- Have polaroid cameras and fun costumes for guests
- Create a little craft corner
- Create a “kid zone” if your wedding welcomes all ages
9. Use Creative Lighting
Nothing else quite sets the mood like lighting. Think of the feeling you’re hoping to evoke, and play it up with lighting:
- Create canopies of fairy lights
- Use colored lights, or lights that cast a warm amber glow
- Have LED dance floors
- Create a fun light show
10. Alternative Seating Arrangements
Providing comfy spaces for your guests and flexible seating arrangements can make all the difference:
- Create cozy lounge areas for your guests to recharge
- Have picnic-style seating for the reception meal
- Instead of separate tables line tables to create one big square centered around newlyweds
11. Special Transportation
Arrange unique transportation to bring you to the venue, and use when you exit once the celebrating concludes:
- Hire vintage cars for wedding party
- Use horse-drawn carriages
- Arrive by boat
- Roller skate (if you know how!) or use a tandem bicycle
12. Exit Celebrations
Once the celebration is over, exit the wedding in style:
- Have your guests usher you through a tunnel of sparklers
- Go out with a bang with a fireworks demonstration—or if ordinances don’t allow—opt for a drone light show instead
- Hire a vintage convertible and use it to make your grand departure
Conclusion:
Allowing your creative spirit to partake in the wedding planning process is a surefire way to make it unique, and your guests will love every minute of it.
Let your style, your passions, and the things you’re drawn to inspire you to create a truly unique experience for both you and your guests.