Best thing you've seen at a wedding

SarahS2013

From a guest's perspective, what's the best thing you've seen at a wedding?
Looking for some "different" ideas...

Addle

I think most weddings follow a similar format because it's proven to work so I wouldn't be too bothered about something different. But each to their own.

What's your budget?

MarkR

A short speech.

Seriously, keep it simple. Leave the doves / sweet carts / instagram booth aside, and have some fun.

SarahS2013

Addle wrote: »

I think most weddings follow a similar format because it's proven to work so I wouldn't be too bothered about something different. But each to their own.

What's your budget?

Budget not an issue. We're already doing something "different" as we're allergic to the thought of a sit down meal where everyone eats themselves into a coma on below average food.

I'm looking for people to tell me little things that they've seen before at weddings which they've thought......"Ah....that was good!"

partyguinness

How many people?

frag420

When the priest asked if there was anyone there that did not think the couple should get married (or whatever it is he says) and the church doors blew open...and a random bloke was standing there!

I thought the groom was about to pass out!!

Turns out is was a randomer getting some shelter!!

SarahS2013

partyguinness wrote: »

How many people?

100 - we already have our venue, food and drink sorted. More looking for the little touches that guests have liked at weddings they've attended.

SarahS2013

frag420 wrote: »

When the priest asked if there was anyone there that did not think the couple should get married (or whatever it is he says) and the church doors blew open...and a random bloke was standing there!

I thought the groom was about to pass out!!

Turns out is was a randomer getting some shelter!!

BRILLIANT!!!! :D:D:D:D

MarkR

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsriu6a_ukw

Unpossible

SarahS2013 wrote: »

From a guest's perspective, what's the best thing you've seen at a wedding?
Looking for some "different" ideas...

I was at one where after the usual dinner they had old-timey sweet carts wheeled out. Think there was one for candy floss, one with pick & mix, and one with cupcakes.

sullivk

We brewed our own beer and each guest had a bottle for our toast drink, but that's only because my husband is into homebrew and does it as a hobby... I made small jars of jams/marmalades as wedding favours.
Again, because it's something I'm interested in and enjoy doing.

Anything you do choose should probably reflect your interests/personality in some way, otherwise, what's the point?

DavyD_83

SarahS2013 wrote: »

100 - we already have our venue, food and drink sorted. More looking for the little touches that guests have liked at weddings they've attended.

Well, now I'm just intrigued as to what you are doing instead of the sit down meal?
Or is that still a closely guarded secret?

We had pig on a spit and one big banquet table with no pre-arranged seating plan, which took a good bit of the formality out of things.

There's certain things which you kind of have to do to make it a wedding, besides that it's up to you.
I haven't been to that many weddings, but I'm really hoping the next one I go to isn't over-planned and packed with stuff, which always include massive waiting around.
I'd love to just hang out, get some food in, have a chat and a few drinks really.
Also, if you can avoid big photo session, where bride and groom disappear for hours; people are kinda there to see you guys and share the day with you.

rsl1976

A magician to entertain the guests while the wedding party were away getting photos. Magician was brilliant and guests were following him around.

Delphinium

DavyD_83 wrote: »

Well, now I'm just intrigued as to what you are doing instead of the sit down meal?
Or is that still a closely guarded secret?

We had pig on a spit and one big banquet table with no pre-arranged seating plan, which took a good bit of the formality out of things.

There's certain things which you kind of have to do to make it a wedding, besides that it's up to you.
I haven't been to that many weddings, but I'm really hoping the next one I go to isn't over-planned and packed with stuff, which always include massive waiting around.
I'd love to just hang out, get some food in, have a chat and a few drinks really.
Also, if you can avoid big photo session, where bride and groom disappear for hours; people are kinda there to see you guys and share the day with you.

Couldn't agree more. Best wedding I attended was very casual, lots of interaction between guests as there wasn't formal seating. Food was simple but superb. Photos taken at intervals with very few formal ones. No fussy dress code, bride and groom were dressed stylishly but not formal. Guests encouraged to wear smart casual.
Venue convenient for most guests.
Gift list provided when requested but most items were well under €50 and included a choice to donate to the couple's favourite cause.
Couple were late twenties so had sense and confidence beyond their years.

Mothers of bride and groom especially enjoyed day, despite a few misgivings earlier on.
Couple seem very happy, a few years on, unlike a few I know who are still paying off their expensive boring wedding.

BetsyEllen

The only thing that makes me remember a good wedding is the food and the craic.

I have no interest in the gimmicky things like favours and lacey things or photo booths.

Once I am well fed and I can have a dance to some good music, I will enjoy myself and remember the day.

I think food (scones or something similar) at the drinks reception is important, people are starving and if it's a cold day make sure there are plenty of hot drinks on offer.
Also the food in the evening needs to be a decent feed, a couple of crappy cheese sandwiches isn't going to cut it for me!

My sister had a BBQ at hers in the evening and it was perfect, I've never seen such a happy crowd of drunk people.

Something else that went down well was the inflatable instruments! I thought they were absolute cheese and cringed when she told me she wanted some. However I have to admit they were brilliant and the guests just loved them.
My Dad can be a bit shy but once he had that blow up guitar in his hand he WAS Brian May and there was no getting him off that dance floor. The photos were fantastic.

super_furry

A really good band.

Makes all the difference between a good wedding and a great one.

Addle

Again, the things I appreciate the most are great food, and plenty of it, and a great band.
Most recently, pizza delivered at 3am was exceptionally well received.

A fireworks display over water also impressed.

King of Kings

had donuts instead of a wedding cake
and they'd no band...

Innocent123

SarahS2013 wrote: »

From a guest's perspective, what's the best thing you've seen at a wedding?
Looking for some "different" ideas...

Simple one but a postbox, saved chasing down a best man or groomsman with a card.
Also I second the short /no speech advice, we did this and people barely noticed

love_love

I hope this doesn't come across the wrong way (which probably means it will), but to me weddings aren't about putting on a spectacle for other people. It's about the happy couple, and sharing your happiness (as well as things you enjoy, such as music and food) with your nearest and dearest. Looking for something to 'wow' people with doesn't seem necessary!

To answer your question directly, the best thing I've seen is my friends dancing and singing their first dance song to each other, surrounded by their nearest and dearest, and the bride with their son in her tummy. Simple and magical!

Nervous Wreck

love_love wrote: »

I hope this doesn't come across the wrong way (which probably means it will), but to me weddings aren't about putting on a spectacle for other people. It's about the happy couple, and sharing your happiness (as well as things you enjoy, such as music and food) with your nearest and dearest. Looking for something to 'wow' people with doesn't seem necessary!

To answer your question directly, the best thing I've seen is my friends dancing and singing their first dance song to each other, surrounded by their nearest and dearest, and the bride with their son in her tummy. Simple and magical!

Why not just answer the OP's question rather than tell her that those things don't seem necessary? She wants something extra so why the judgement? Jesus...

OP, my fiancée was at a murder mystery wedding recently and really enjoyed it.

Most weddings I've been to haven't really had much variety tbh, so I usually find them pretty boring.

DavyD_83

DavyD_83 wrote: »

We had pig on a spit and one big banquet table with no pre-arranged seating plan, which took a good bit of the formality out of things.

Aw man that sounds brilliant! pig on a spit
One good one i was at was in a restaurant, and the ceremony was done in its gardens. It was very personalised, bit of craic, then the food was great. Bit of drinking and dancing and they took off early enough that evening on the honeymoon so it wasn't dragged out or anything

baby and crumble

The best wedding I was at was my brothers who married a Seikh woman, so they incorporated elements of that culture and tradition so it made it unusual and fun for the guests from Ireland. TBH though that stuff would just be weird at a non-Seihk wedding.

TheRiverman

I was at a wedding last year where the speeches were almost non existent.The groom just said a few nice words and that was it,no fuss,everything very relaxed and enjoyable.Great idea.
I have also been at weddings in recent years where the speeches were completed before the meal.Another great idea.

kevthegaff

Had bagpipes(no one expected), some of cermony in polish (wife is polish) one song in polish. Brides fathers speech in polish translated by friend, everyone enjoyed it. 3 piece acoustic piece informal but good music followed by dj, not too long. Got dance lessons for first dance to old cringe song which I think entertained people.. had two big jeeps bring us to church also!

Clazbeag

Was at one recently where a go pro was attached to a bottle of whisky that was passed around all the tables during the meal...... You have a very cool unusual video of everyone at the end of it!

Muppet Man

Ice cream van outside the church during a summer wedding was a HUGE hit with everyone.... 100 or so people standing around eating 99s in suits and dresses was a good laugh.

El Weirdo

I once saw a former Fine Gael MEP fall out of a window and smash his face up whilst trying to "talk to" some young wan.

10/10. Would watch again.

muckwarrior

A wedding I was at years ago had a guy doing caricatures of people during the drinks reception. We still have ours hanging up, so that's nice I guess.

mcgiggles

Clazbeag wrote:

Was at one recently where a go pro was attached to a bottle of whisky that was passed around all the tables during the meal...... You have a very cool unusual video of everyone at the end of it!

This sounds awesome!!!!!!

Muppet Man wrote:

Ice cream van outside the church during a summer wedding was a HUGE hit with everyone.... 100 or so people standing around eating 99s in suits and dresses was a good laugh.

I also saw this at a May wedding, but it rained so it didnt go down as well as it could have!

Sam Kade

frag420 wrote: »

When the priest asked if there was anyone there that did not think the couple should get married (or whatever it is he says) and the church doors blew open...and a random bloke was standing there!

I thought the groom was about to pass out!!

Turns out is was a randomer getting some shelter!!

I thought it was Alfie Moon.

Wesser

Crepe cart with all the ingredients arrived at midnight. Mmmmmmm. You could as much nutella as you wanted on.

_Dara_

BetsyEllen wrote: »

Something else that went down well was the inflatable instruments! I thought they were absolute cheese and cringed when she told me she wanted some. However I have to admit they were brilliant and the guests just loved them.

These can be hit and miss. I've been at weddings where they were pretty much ignored by guests.

LirW

Having the drink reception in Bison Bar. Beside it being nice we all had the chance to get over the long wait with some food there (no offense but sometimes the wait between ceremony and food is incredibly long). Food always keeps people entertained.

Gleisweiler

Its an oldie but still draws laughs.
Select 6 guests and give them two cards each with numbers 1 to 8. After the groom or best mans speech get them to hold them high as if it were a result as seen on ice skating competitions.

allybhoy

Of all the things we done at our wedding or seen at other peoples weddings the one that got the most compliments was I had a cigar and whiskey bar straight after my meal, bought few bottles of whiskey , bushmills \ jameson \ paddys \etc. Hotel graciously set up a table with tumblers and ice and everyone just helped themselves, they charged me 100 euro for the glasses and corkage and i bought the cigars myself... quick announcement after the meal, everyone went outside whilst the band were setting up etc.

Whatever you do, try to make sure it doesnt impact people on the dancefloor, i was at a wedding last week where there was a huge queue to use a photobooth whilst the band were on and there was nobody on the dancefloor except the bride and her mates..

BailMeOut

After the meal everyone was asked to go outside (venue had terraces looking over the grounds) where there was a fireworks display.

Sunny Dayz

Was at a wedding a few years ago when some of the guests were really good dancers. Accordingly the band played good dancing music and there were plenty of people up waltzing, jiving, Seige of Ennis etc.

gabsdot40

I went to a wedding that had fireworks at the end of the night. Brilliant. Fantastic ending to the night.

MAJJ

Innocent123 wrote: »

Simple one but a postbox, saved chasing down a best man or groomsman with a card.
Also I second the short /no speech advice, we did this and people barely noticed

Saw a restored whisky barrel used for this also.

John_Rambo

Braziers with turf & wood burning away in them.

TheRiverman

Sunny Dayz wrote: »

Was at a wedding a few years ago when some of the guests were really good dancers. Accordingly the band played good dancing music and there were plenty of people up waltzing, jiving, Seige of Ennis etc.

Everyone to their taste,but if I was at a wedding and the Seige Of Ennis started I would be out of there fast.

fima

The best thing I've seen at a wedding was really simple but the brides mother had crocheted blankets and they were left outside and around the venue. It was a winter wedding in the middle of a storm so they were very welcome and I still have one.

At my own wedding everyone loved the music which was about 5 different bands along with more solo singers ... all friends, all free and the live music went on till 6 am, or so I'm told.

noel100

During the summer we were at a wedding and they had an icecream van outside the church giving 99's. Nicest icecream ive had this year and nice touch. Ive never seen it done before.

Candlemania

I was at a wedding, where the bride was asking every man guest to dance and the groom likewise - every lady guest. I think it was a nice touch, because sometimes there are guests who never get to dance at a wedding... But I suppose it won't suit every bride and groom - you would have to be really comfortable about doing this.

I like when the band entertains the guests with different funny games/ competitions, which is a great way to make both families interact. Things like the musical chairs, etc. It's always a great laugh.

dudara

TheRiverman wrote: »

Everyone to their taste,but if I was at a wedding and the Seige Of Ennis started I would be out of there fast.

It's not a wedding where I'm from unless there's been a Siege of Ennis death match!

I went to a wedding in East Germany (Irish man marrying German woman) which was great fun as the Germans had all these little party games throughout, plus we all took part in the Polterabend, which was immense fun. The German contingent had all bought their own plates, but the Irish had to buy them when in Germany. I'd say we cleaned out every shop in town

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polterabend

scarepanda

Candlemania wrote:

I like when the band entertains the guests with different funny games/ competitions, which is a great way to make both families interact. Things like the musical chairs, etc. It's always a great laugh.

This is great craic once the band are not harassing guests to join in.

Greybottle

Best thing I ever saw was a fight. No ordinary fight, but one between the brides father, mother and some members of their side of the family. Happened at about 3 am, bride and groom had hit the hay an hour earlier.

Background is that the brides family are some of the most contemptible people on this island. Big farmers who made a killing selling land during the boom and rubbed their new gained wealth into everybody's faces. Awful people who reckon the county and country owes them a living and that we should all bow before them.

Showed themselves up for what they are at the wedding, a couple of people got the fight on camera (smartphone a novelty back then) and the whole parish has seen it.

Thing is the bride is a lovely woman, nothing like her parents, groom thought it hilarious.

Mint Sauce

One of the most recent wedding I was at, the reception was in a pub. The couple had booked it for the entire day, so just the wedding party there. Musicians prior to the meal, meal its self was a carvery style, free seating, band/DJ afterwards, pool table out the back, with a licence extension till about 1.30/2am.

Another wedding, as well as the wedding photographer, disposable cameras on each table.

Candlemania

scarepanda wrote: »

This is great craic once the band are not harassing guests to join in.

Of course.

The weddings I was at, it was all voluntary and usually there are always some family members / friends who are up for the craic, especially when the atmosphere becomes more relaxed after a few drinks

scarepanda

Candlemania wrote:

The weddings I was at, it was all voluntary and usually there are always some family members / friends who are up for the craic, especially when the atmosphere becomes more relaxed after a few drinks

That's ok so

One thing that drives me absolutely mad is the band spending 10minutes trying to get the guests to form the 'perfect' circle around the dancefloor for the first dance..... To usually fail in their attempts.