Steps to Make Your Big Day Memorable
For many people, the day they get married is one of the most eagerly anticipated events in their lives. We often read about the stresses and strains of wedding planning, but it can be a really fun and special process. If you’re keen to swerve the stress and plan a magical celebration you’ll never forget, here are some top tips to make your big day memorable.
The venue
It’s still very popular to choose traditional wedding venues, but today, there’s a huge range of options available to couples preparing to tie the knot. From country houses, golf clubs and imposing castles to trendy bars and restaurants, opulent hotels and meadows overlooking rolling hills or lapping waves, there’s something for everyone. From grandeur and luxury to wild natural wonders and intimate, secluded settings, it’s important to choose a venue that suits both of your personalities and the style and type of wedding you want to plan. Don’t feel you have to go for a hotel, a stately home or a marquee if you’d rather go to the local pub or host a festival in a woodland miles away from civilisation. Thinking outside the box can help you create a unique ceremony that you and your guests will remember forever.
The dress code
The first glimpse of the happy couple is one of the stand-out moments of any wedding day, with friends and family members desperate to see what they’re wearing for the occasion. We often think of white gowns and smart suits when discussing wedding attire, but there are no hard and fast rules. More and more couples are veering off the beaten sartorial track and wearing different outfits that complement their personal style, the location and theme of the wedding and the vibe they want to channel. From short dresses, tailored suits, jumpsuits and ethereal co-ords to bold patterned ties and socks, casual ensembles and fancy dress, you should wear what makes you feel most comfortable and confident. It’s up to you whether you specify a dress code for your guests. If you’re planning a themed wedding, or you want everyone to glam up or dress down, it’s best to provide information in the invitation.
The entertainment
Wedding entertainment comes in various guises but whatever route you go down, it can make a massive impact on your memories of the day and the experience you and your guests enjoy. Whether you hire a string quartet to play as you glide down the aisle or you call on the best wedding band in the area to play floor-fillers until the early hours, it’s wise to spend some time researching and weighing up the pros and cons of different options. Think about who will be attending, the atmosphere you want to create and how you want your day to unfold. There’s nothing wrong with mixing and matching styles to cater to different parts of the day. You can switch from understated or formal during the ceremony and wedding breakfast to all-out energy for the party, for example.
The personal touches
One of the best ways to make your wedding day extra special and unique is to add personal touches. There are several ways to do this and you don’t have to blow the budget. Little things like personalised favours and decorations or playlists that feature all your guests’ favourite songs can make a big difference. Other ideas include bespoke cake toppers, custom-designed cocktails, invitations and guest books and choosing table names that reflect your journey together or celebrate special places or people or shared interests.
The trip down memory lane
The one thing that all married people will tell you when you announce your engagement is that the wedding day flies by in a flash. Before you know it, you’ve gone from butterflies in your tummy and sweaty palms to waking up the morning after wondering how it all went by so fast. Capturing special moments on the day provides golden opportunities to relive your wedding, jog your memory and get a sense of what the celebration was like for everyone involved. It’s worth considering how you want to document your day. Perhaps you’re keen to hire a videographer, you’d like multiple photographers, or you want your guests to get involved and snap away, sharing their shots with a bespoke hashtag, for example. Adding a photo booth and putting disposable cameras on the tables are great ways to get photos during the reception. You might also want to include short pauses during the ceremony when people can take photographs. This will enable you to see more snaps without interrupting key parts.
Hosting a gathering after the wedding is a fun way to take a trip down memory lane, show friends and relatives your photos and videos and reminisce.
For many of us, the wedding day is one of the most eagerly anticipated days of our lives. It’s natural to want to plan and enjoy a unique, special and memorable day when you put energy, effort and a lot of money into organising your dream celebration. Hopefully, these tips will help you plan an event you’ll never forget.
This is a collaborative post.
