You want your wedding to be a celebration as unique as your relationship with your soon-to-be spouse. Wedding trends come and go, but the more weddings you attend, the more you start to notice their similarities. Your friends’ weddings have been gorgeous and fun, but you don’t want your day to blend in with every other event of the year. You want to stand out. You and your partner want to host a party unlike any other, and these clever wedding ideas are how you’re going to do it.
1. DIY Flower Station
Ask your florist to provide materials and flowers for guests to make their own boutonnieres and corsages. It’s a fun activity that lets everyone know they’re a special part of your big day.
2. First Dance Confetti Drop
You can choose a song that perfectly represents your new marriage, but first dances can be rather predictable. Unless, of course, you include a confetti drop.
3. Video Booth
Photo booths are popular, but they’re also been-there-done-that. A video booth where guests can give advice or offer their congratulations is much more unique.
4. Unexpected Performances
Most weddings have either a DJ or a band. But you can spice up the reception by hiring a musical group or performer that isn’t exactly ordinary. What about an a cappella group or mariachi band?
5. Flash Mob
You can also wow guests by surprising them with a well-planned flash mob. This idea will work best if you have a large bridal party willing to put in some practice time.
6. Food Truck Fun
You can either hire a food truck to offer up the main meal at your wedding, or bring one in for a dessert or a fun snack. This is one clever wedding idea your guests will drool over.
7. Hire a Live Painter
You’ll, of course, have a photographer to capture special moments, but a live painter will create priceless works of art all based on your big day. Have them paint the scene as they see it, or do something fun with guests, like caricatures.
8. Take Song Requests Ahead of Time
Most DJs accept requests, but you can speed up the process by taking those requests before the actual wedding day. Include a line on the RSVP card asking for their favorite song to help your DJ come up with a playlist your guests will love.
9. Create a Custom Monogram
For this wedding idea, hire a graphic designer or try your own hand at getting creative. Once you have a monogram you love, use it on your favors, programs, and anywhere else.
10. Customize Your Wine
If you and your partner are into wine, contact a winery about choosing a special bottle to commemorate your wedding. Make your own label and make sure to display it where your guests can see.
11. Include a Ring Warming Ceremony
A ring warming ceremony is a sweet way to involve all your guests. Before you and your partner slip those rings on your fingers, have the ring bearer pass the rings around to your guests so they can all “warm them up” and pass on their well wishes.
12. Choose Stand-Out Seating
If you want your wedding to look different than all the others, choose alternative seating like benches, stools, or mismatched vintage chairs. You can also choose a seating arrangement that’s different than the traditional rows with an aisle down the middle.
13. Showcase Family Recipes
Use your wedding ideas to highlight what makes your family special. Ask the bakers in your family to contribute to the dessert table and post cute signs letting everyone know those delicious treats are all in the family.
14. Skip the Sparkler Exit
A sparkler exit is one of those wedding trends that completely blew up in popularity. In other words, everyone does them. If you don’t want to follow the crowd, come up with another fun exit like bubbles, lanterns, or paper airplanes.
15. Replace Your First Dance With Another Fun Activity
If the idea of slowly swaying in place while everyone watches makes you cringe, skip the first dance and choose a different activity instead. Maybe you and your new spouse met playing flip cup. You can relive that moment and even let guests make wagers on who they think will win. It’s a fun wedding idea that playfully breaks tradition.
16. Play a Group Game
This wedding idea is great for when you already know a lot of your guests don’t like to dance. Instead of having an awkwardly empty dance floor, engage everyone with a group game like bingo. Here’s a whole list of fun games you could try.
17. Point Out Your Matchmaker
If there’s one person at your wedding who’s responsible for bringing you and your spouse together, make them feel special! Decorate their chair and make a toast thanking them for their prolific matchmaking skills.
18. Hangover Kit Favors
Those wedding open bars can get the best of your guests, and a hangover kit favor will be much appreciated. Include things like mini bottles of water and aspirin.
19. Offer Childcare
The decision to invite kids or not invite kids is always tricky. If you don’t want to ruffle feathers but still want adults to enjoy their night, hire a babysitter.
20. Advice Cards With Specific Questions
Asking for marriage advice isn’t a new wedding idea, but you can make it more fun by asking specific questions. Lay out cards that say things like “What will our first fight be about?” or “What should we do when we can’t agree?”
21. Carnival Cocktail Hour
Cocktail hours can get long and boring while guests wait impatiently for the real party to start. But you can make it fun by including carnival games like ring toss or bringing in that caricature artist we talked about earlier.
Whatever you plan, your wedding ideas should reflect everything that makes you and your soon-to-be spouse special. Don’t feel like you have to stick to the rules of a traditional event. Think outside the box, and you’ll host a wedding that you and your guests will always remember.