“We want our wedding day to look exactly like every other couple’s wedding day,’ said no newly engaged couple ever (well, until it’s not like Priyanka Chopra & Nick Jonas Wedding or Meghan Markle & Prince Harry Royal Wedding). There are weddings. And then, there are those weddings that become the talk of the town as people never stop gushing about those celebrations for years! So, if you also want your wedding day to fall in the second camp (obviously, which couple does not want that?), there is probably no better pro tip than this: Just make it your own! Whether you are planning to keep it low-key yet classic or want to have a traditional celebration with some modern twists, or an edgy and Instagram-worthy wedding celebration, it is completely your own distinctive ideas and touches that will set your wedding day apart from the league and make it out-of-the-ordinary! It’s your wedding day, and it is very much clear that you want to make your wedding celebration stand out amongst the crowd. After all, your love story is unique, so why should not your wedding day be the same?
Now, the next question is how are you going to put your own spin on a trend and make it extravagant and stand out from the crowd? How will you make your wedding day all about you? Well, everything boils down to the details! Just think of the moment when you met your partner, or when the beautiful question was popped up for you to answer, the place where you two went for your first date, you can also pick something remarkable from your shared interest, anecdotes from your travel, family histories, and voila, all these together can become fantastic sources of ingredients that can turn your wedding reception into a fun, delightful, and standout celebration for you and all your wedding guests!
We know that your wedding reception is going to be the most important and unforgettable celebration of your life! All we want to say is that create an experience that gracefully flaunts your unique style and taste and makes your wedding reception a remarkable celebration for your wedding guests! So, to end your search for the unique wedding reception ideas that will make your celebration stand out, we have some great and incredible suggestions and inspirations that will surely add some spark to your wedding reception, specifically! From eye-catching inspiration to only-in-the-DMV possibilities, just consider this as your guide to getting outstanding and utterly creative for your wedding reception while wowing your wedding guests in the process! Of course, you don’t have to incorporate every idea into your wedding reception (unless you want it all!). We will advise you to go through the ideas with your darling and choose about 5-6 of them that really speak of you as a couple, across various areas of your wedding celebration! So, here they are!
A ‘Chill-Out’ Space for Wedding Guests
Create a lounge area, or we say a ‘chill-out zone’ at your wedding reception so that your wedding guests can have a place to mingle between dance breaks. Your invitees can catch their breath, take a moment from the loud music, and unwind some time while sipping the wine at this welcoming area. This will help all your wedding guests take a calming and relaxing breather while still being a part of the party! To create a fun and sophisticated ‘chill-out zone’ at your wedding reception you can consider filling the space with couches or comfy lounge chairs and plenty of soft and cushy pillows to sink into! Trust us, it will be a perfect way to keep everyone in one party even when they are resting! And if you really want to wow them? Close off the lounge section with satin or net drapes to create a one-of-a-kind VIP vibe!
Pre-ceremony Cocktails
We can guarantee that your wedding guests will not be expecting any drinks until it’s time for your wedding reception. So, why not surprise them by setting up a table of light and breezy beverages for your wedding ceremony. Just a piece of healthy advice here, don’t serve anything too strong. You can consider serving mimosas or some fruit-infused iced teas which they can sip before taking their seats and witness your exchange your vows! Don’t forget to incorporate non-alcoholic versions of these drinks too. And lastly, ask your caterer or ushers to collect any stray glasses just to make sure that the entire space is spick and span before your wedding reception starts!
An Unforgettable Wedding Guest Book
Whenever you will think out of the box trust us it will always turn into something incredible and amazing! So, for your wedding guest book, just think beyond the typical guest book idea! Wear your creative hat and pour in your ideas! If you need some idea, you can consider creating a jigsaw puzzle of your and your sweetheart’s photo and let your wedding guests sign each piece. Or you can also think of putting out silver trays with carving pens so all your invitees can carve out a lasting message on a useful keepsake for you!
All Over Lighting Decor
You can always turn your wedding reception venue upside down with creative lighting decor ideas! Pinterest and Instagram are full of such ideas and inspirations! You can project falling leaves if you are planning a fall wedding reception or can also add snow to bring in a classic dramatic vibe to your winter wedding reception. Well, you can also go with a funky geometric pattern or your monogram to the dance floor, or just simply get the usual up-lighting for the boundary of the space to instantly transform the space. We can guarantee that this kind of setting will set your wedding reception apart from the ordinary and your wedding guests will be impressed!
A Second Look for Wedding Reception
Being a bride means all eyes will be on you throughout the day. So, it will be a huge surprise for all your wedding guests when you will go from a classic wedding dress for your wedding dress to a more casual, flirtier, sexy, and short dress for your wedding reception. Well, two looks are being so in trend these days, if you ask us! You can go for any kind of dress for your second look! Whether it is a sexy and strapless cocktail dress that you shopped but couldn’t find a perfect excuse to wear, or a white dress with bling that is just too short for the aisle walk, you can have fun with all the dresses that you bought to flaunt yourself on your wedding day! If by any chance you don’t feel like changing out of your wedding dress, you can consider adding other changes to your overall bridal look: you can let down your hair, change your wedding shoes, or can even add a new piece of jewelry to have a different look for your wedding reception!
Wedding Photo Booth Fun
There is no denying the fact that wedding photo booths are total dope and have also become one of the ultimate wedding classics that will never go out of fashion in any era! And, why not? It is super-duper fun and always brings your wedding guests’ quirky side out. A wedding photo booth at your wedding reception will be an incredible way to capture all those unique, precious, candid, and crazy moments that a professional wedding photographer might miss!
To step up the level you can bring in some props resonating with your wedding theme and set the mood for your wedding guests. For an iconic and memorable wedding photo booth fun experience try bringing in the Hollywood glam and trust us, it will bring out the hidden Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio of every guest. If you are planning for a summer wedding celebration, a lovely beach-themed photo booth decorated with broad-brimmed hats and swimsuit cut-outs! Or you can always turn the laughs on with furry costumes, and goofy oversized glasses. Well, the ideas and options for a photo booth for your wedding reception are endless. And lastly, do send a copy of the photographs with your personalized thank you note to all your wedding guests. These photos will definitely bring joy to you and all your wedding guests for many years to come!
Child’s Play
Well, if those little and cute munchkins are going to be a part of your wedding day celebration, it is mandatory that you plan your wedding reception very thoughtfully. Well, let’s face the fact that there are a few little things that get a bit more complicated for guests with children in tow than having to look after them throughout the celebration of your wedding day. As much as they would all love to let their hair down, mingle, and dance the night away, parents usually end up babysitting their kids till the time the night is not over. So, why not turn this small yet important detail into an incredible experience for your guests with kids and toddlers? All you have to do is just hire some babysitters and then set them up in a room with fun games, coloring sheets, crayons, and other stuff that kids like, while the guests can stay happy and busy for hours. We can assure you that this thoughtful and helpful gesture of yours will be forever cherished by all the mums and dads on your wedding guests list!
A First-Dance Confetti Drop Surprise
It is true that your first dance will be one of the memorable highlights of your wedding reception. So, to make it more extravagant, add this extra-special touch to elevate the entertainment factor and give some interesting photography opportunities to our professional and affordable wedding photographers. If you both have chosen a slow and romantic song to show your moves then you can consider bringing in fresh flower petals instead of the usual confetti dropped from the ceiling. Or if it is some fast and peppy song, some glitters and sparkles falling from the ceiling will make your wedding reception setting more inviting and a cut above the rest!
A Well-Decorated Wedding Reception Entryway
We are clearly not saying that you should spend a gazillion dollars on a huge 20-foot-tall floral arrangement for your entry to your wedding reception, but it is also true that first impressions are important as they will last forever! So, just take out some time to think out of the box about the entrance of your wedding reception. For romantic and alluring entrance ideas, you can have floral arrangements to the escort card table or also have your stationer create a stylish seating chart display. A table just next to the entrance amped up with your stunning engagement pictures, your parent’s wedding photos, and any other from-the-family artifacts will surely make a meaningful addition to the overall look of your wedding reception decor!
Unexpected Confetti
There is no perfect time to drop confetti, especially when it’s your wedding day. And considering the option for confetti to drop unexpectedly at some wedding receptions is definitely so much fun. You can plan this big moment as per your desire. You can consider having this exciting and surprising moment while you and your sweetheart will be making the dramatic entry to your wedding reception or can also think of dropping it during a particularly popular song that gets everyone on the dance floor drenched at the moment. We are pretty much sure that confetti out of nowhere is always a big, and surprising crowd-pleaser!
Delicious Midnight Snacks
Long after the caterers have packed up and gone, it is very often that the wedding reception continues to go on. So, why not treat all your remaining wedding guests to delicious late-night snacks? You can arrange for a popular food truck of the area to swing by, or can always consider getting it delivered like deep-dish pizza or donuts (whatever you would like to order). Trust us, your wedding guests will be very appreciative of this gesture of yours!
A Show-Stopping Wedding Reception Exit
If you and your darling will play it right, your wedding reception exit will surely be one of the most heavily photographed moments of your wedding day. So, just ditch the rose petals and birdseed and jazz up this beautiful moment for your wedding guests to remember for the rest of their lives. You can step up your exit game by handing out small bags of colorful confetti, colored paper airplanes, mini beach balls, or even aromatic lavender buds for everyone to toss, while you make an exit holding your lover’s hand. For something extraordinary, you can also stage your own mini parade by passing out parasols and noisemakers for your wedding guests to escort you both to your getaway car!
A Hip After-Party
Instead of just hitting the random bar next door when your wedding reception venue closes, you can plan a true post-wedding bash for you and your hardcore-partying guests. All you have to do is just book a space with a completely different vibe from your wedding reception like a relaxed patio bar or a karaoke club to offset a usual and formal ballroom vibe. We can assure you that this after-party will keep your party going till the sun doesn’t come up and says hi!
In the end, all we want to say is that it is all about the details. The unique details always leave a lasting impression on the hearts and minds of all your wedding guests, making your wedding reception a unique and memorable wedding experience! Choose what suits you.
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