Enchanted Brides Photography
1. Miniature heroes
It's cute for flower girls, maids and pageboys to emulate the bride and groom with 'mini-me' dress styles, accessories and bouquets, but go one further and give the kids in your wedding party their own style rules by suggesting they dress up as their favourite superheroes complete with masks, capes and branded chests. Who doesn't want Batman following them down the aisle or Superman on standby to save the day? And talking of little helpers, who said they had to be young? Why not ask granny or your great-aunt to get involved with readings, duties such as scattering rose petals, or even following you up the aisle?
2. Instant fun
Photo booths equal immediate fun. If you take nothing else away from your big day, take away the images of your mother-in-law and best friend bedecked in fake moustaches and oversized sunglasses. Even better, a video booth lets your guests record messages for you like a live guest book. You could even screen them the next day to your assembled guests (although it might be wise to have a bridesmaid give them a quick preview first, to rule out any seemed-like-a-good-idea-at-the-time moments after your BFs have enjoyed the champagne tower!). Try handsomemomento.co.uk or southwestphotobooths.co.uk.
3. Dress to impress
Dressing up boxes break the ice and make for some brilliant photographs. Go silly: dinosaur onesies for the ladies and grass skirts and leis for the boys; themed: lace parasols, straw boaters or Bugsy Malone-era memorabilia (splurge guns if you can find them!) for a Twenties-style do; or just practical: flip-flops and sun hats if you're by the beach.
Enchanted Brides Photography
4. Let's get quizzical
And talking of breaking the ice, have a quiz about the bride or groom, or the other guests, on each table. Or involve all your guests at once with a couples' quiz before or after the wedding breakfast, taking the mic yourself if you're itching to get some airtime after the boys' speeches. Got any super-confident mates? Ask one to host a retro game show - rudimentary versions of Family Fortunes, Deal or No Deal, Generation Game or Gladiators can be organised with a few simple props - and watch families and friends battle it out to be crowned Wedding Day Champion (visit the Game Hire section of propfactory.co.uk for inspiration).
5. Into flora
Bring your theme together by presenting all your guests with a flower to wear. Ask your florist to supply some theme-appropriate blooms at the entrance to the ceremony, alongside some ribbons and pins, and let your guests attach them to lapels, wristbands or even in their hair (maybe give a reliable maid this role, so you don't end up with any minor injuries).
Freckle Photography
6. Flash dance
Surprise your guests and groom with a seemingly impromptu dance troupe. Utilise any children in the family (how about those superheroes?) or, if you work in a school, rope in your star pupils. Or organise a dance-off: dads vs. nephews should raise a few laughs (and blood pressures!).
Enchanted Brides Photography
8. Rock on
Similarly, you can surprise your groom by having the band kick off with his favourite song (or even the real thing if you're lucky - Google Gary Barlow wedding singer - or possessor of an XL wedding budget). You could always organise a hidden choir (or some of your more musical guests) among your congregation, at the entrance to your venue or somewhere unexpected like a balcony to begin an a cappella version of your favourite song as you leave your ceremony (tambourines and guitars optional if they need a hand!). Come the evening, instead of a standard wedding band, opt for live band karaoke - you simply hire the band and let your guests takes centre stage and be rock stars for the night (check out rockaoke.co.uk).
Alan Law
9. It's a circus out there
Set up a circus skills area where your guests can learn a new skill like plate spinning, juggling or stilt walking, plus face-painting for the children. This is perfect for an outdoor do in the height of summer (circusentertainers.co.uk offer workshops at events across Devon and Cornwall as well as most counties in the UK).
Blooming Photography
10. First dance flowers
You know how prima ballerinas are presented with huge bouquets after their performances? Go one further and ask your florist and wedding coordinator to arrange a flower drop of pretty petals as you conclude your first dance. Spectacular!
Adam Gibbard
And finally, we'd like to thank... Having a wedding weekend? Ask your best man to host the wedding day Oscars on the last afternoon. Awards go to: best dancer, best outfit or the evening's secret scandal award...
words Elizabeth Chester
Copyright Wed magazine 2015
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