Your wedding is YOUR day. Trust us, we want you to have fun! The reality is that several other (even a couple hundred) people will also be there, and you want them to enjoy themselves, too. Ultimately, you want to get hitched and create a memorable and fun wedding experience for you and your guests. We’ve put together a few of our dreamiest tips that will have you and your guests happily dancing the night away.

COMFORT

All well-thought-out parties have guests’ comfort at the forefront of planning. Some things to consider:

Temperature: Is it hot? Make sure you have shaded areas, extra cold drinks, and fans. Cold? You’ll want heaters, hot chocolate, and fire pits.

Seating: Make sure you have plenty of places for guests to rest their dancin’ feet.Bugs: No one has fun if they’re swatting at flies or mosquitos, so keep bug spray and candles on hand.

FOOD AND DRINK

Nothing ruins a party faster than hangry guests!  There needs to be ample food for every guest and maybe even a late night snack. Also, drinks (everything from water to libations) should be fully stocked for your wedding guests. 

If you want to go for something interactive during cocktail hour, opt for a champagne or charcuterie wall, or even a lemonade bar complete with fun garnishes and flavor mix-ins to make it fun for all ages. This is an easy (and beautiful!) way for you to display your food and drink choices.

Nostalgia can also come into play when thinking about your food and drink choices. Consider an ice cream sundae bar, a donut station, or even a popcorn station as a late night snack. Or spice it up with wine-tasting stations or signature cocktails for your of-age guests. All of these extra elements go a long way and add that special touch!

YARD GAMES

From Jenga to corn hole to ladder toss, you can’t go wrong. Yard games are the perfect way to make it easy for guests to spark conversations and have something fun to do while mingling. No matter the size of your guest list, there are many simple games to choose from so that it isn’t distracting from your day, but just an added fun element! Other fun games to consider: a ring toss, giant Connect Four, croquet, and bocce ball.

KID’S ZONE

Some couples opt to ask guests to not bring their children, which sometimes means a few guests might not be able to make it. If you decide to open the invite to all ages, it could be helpful to provide babysitting services during the wedding or create a kid’s zone with a few crafts or toys. Parents can relax and enjoy themselves!

PHOTO BOOTH

Photo booths aren’t just a way to capture amazing photos throughout your day that you wouldn’t normally get, like those silly poses your guests might be too shy to do in front of the photographer. They’re also a fun and interactive activity for guests of all ages, especially if you include personalized props and fun costume pieces like hats and headpieces. Not only do photo booths provide a nice little break from all the dancing at your reception, but they’ll also leave your guests with fun favors to take home and remember your day.

ENTERTAINMENT

It’s likely that your guests will span a few generations. One simple way to ensure everyone has a good time is to explain the guest dynamic to your DJ prior to the big day, and make sure he or she can play to each generation to keep the party moving! 

Also, consider the element of surprise when it comes to entertainment. Besides the food and happy couple,, the little extras are what guests talk about after the wedding is over. Whether you want to include a petal toss in your recessional, a cigar bar at your reception, choreograph a dance with your wedding party, or include a unique pom pom wedding exit, these interactive experiences will take your day to the next level.

Some of our other favorite ideas include hiring a live painter, magician, or caricature artist!

Photography by Caitlin Steva Photography, Gipe Photography, Cody & Allison Photography, and Jaclyn Simpson Photography.