This was originally posted over on the CuriousWines blog as part of their brilliant wedding series. Here I talk about why is OK to put a little (or a lot!) of your personality into your wedding….
Weddings are traditional affairs. The walking down the aisle, giving away the bride and exchanging of vows has been around for decades/centuries/time immemorial. (Delete whichever ones you think are incorrect – I write this blog in my spare time dudes!)
Anyway, being such a traditional event doesn’t mean weddings have to be boring, or staid, or downright dull. Now I admit that I haven’t been to THAT MANY weddings, but it has been said on the street that some weddings can have a bit of a déjà vu effect. Especially if it’s a siblings wedding or someone from the same group of friends. Especially if it is held in the same venue or has the same band. My tupence worth is that you should put your own stamp on your own wedding. It should have a flavour of the couple and include their interests and passions. Why not after all? Nobody but you is going to think that your wedding day is the most special day of their lives, so why make them sit through something beige? Give them something to talk about, something to laugh about and something to remember!
Put some personality into your wedding decor. Particularly with wedding favours or centrepieces, there is great opportunity to be creative! What is exciting about tables numbered 1 to 10? Nothing, that’s what. How about photos of you and the groom in various holiday locations, or with various friends or family members who are sitting at that table. How about themed centre pieces? How about Fortune Cookie favours or little plant pots with seeds? The choices are as limitless as your imagination.
Entertain your guests. Between the ceremony and the meal and between the meal and the band there will be a lull in proceedings. People have taken time off work, bought a new frock and possibly travelled to be with you on your big day. You’d better make damn sure you feed, water and entertain them!! There is nothing worse than people being so hungry before the meal they get cranky, or worse yet – hit the bar too hard! Provide your guests with some finger food or canapés if there is a long gap before they are eating again. A cheese buffet is a nice idea here aswell, especially if you can serve it with some nice wine. [Hint: Curious Wines offer fantastic quality at a great price!] There should also be something more for the guests to do than just drink – I had a magician at my launch party and he worked really well, mingling between the guests, not intrusive at all but the perfect way to liven up peoples afternoon. Other ideas I have heard bandied about are Big Games (ie, inflatable twister, giant boxing ring, Sumo suits etc) sounds a bit mental, but you can be damn sure that people would let their hair down and have a good ol laugh – and isn’t that what you want for people at your wedding?
Please yourself. While you have to consider the needs and wants of your guests (as above) you also can’t please everybody. And if Granny is coming and can’t stand loud music but you have your heard set on a kickin’ band, then I’d be finding Granny a quiet spot where she could hang out. As soon as you start to try to satisfy everyone, you will most certainly end up not satisfying anyone, most particularly yourself. So make the tough choices and make it a day to remember for you guys and filled with fun and personality. Even if you are into Death Metal.
