Best thing you've seen at a wedding

SarahS2013 · 06-09-2017 03:57PM #1

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

Addle · 06-09-2017 04:30PM

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 · 06-09-2017 04:33PM

A short speech.

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

SarahS2013 · 06-09-2017 04:41PM

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 · 06-09-2017 04:42PM

How many people?

frag420 · 06-09-2017 04:43PM

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 · 06-09-2017 04:46PM

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 · 06-09-2017 04:46PM

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 · 06-09-2017 04:50PM

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

Unpossible · 06-09-2017 04:54PM

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 · 06-09-2017 04:55PM

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 · 06-09-2017 04:58PM

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 · 06-09-2017 05:07PM

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

Delphinium · 06-09-2017 05:14PM

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 · 06-09-2017 05:16PM

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 · 06-09-2017 05:20PM

A really good band.

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

Addle · 06-09-2017 05:25PM

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 · 06-09-2017 05:46PM

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

Innocent123 · 06-09-2017 06:26PM

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 · 06-09-2017 06:39PM

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 · 06-09-2017 08:11PM

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.

06-09-2017 08:13PM

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 · 06-09-2017 08:23PM

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 · 06-09-2017 08:27PM

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 · 06-09-2017 08:40PM

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 · 06-09-2017 08:43PM

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 · 06-09-2017 09:25PM

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 · 06-09-2017 09:49PM

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 · 07-09-2017 10:09AM

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 · 07-09-2017 12:49PM

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 · 07-09-2017 12:51PM

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.

Best thing you've seen at a wedding

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