As a wedding planner, I’ve noticed many engaged couples in 2023 want to think “outside the box” to create a unique experience for their guests. And it’s no wonder—after being apart for so long during the pandemic, they’re determined to make extraordinary memories with their loved ones! Thoughtful touches such as welcome bags, pre-ceremony drinks, late-night snacks, or a photo booth are fantastic ways to do this. However, your imagination is truly the only limit when it comes to creating an enhanced guest experience! Read on for my favorite ways that Danielle Caldwell Events couples have made their wedding days one-of-a-kind.
5 Ways to Personalize Your Wedding with Thoughtful Touches
Focus on Meaningful Memories
I like to tell my clients that I don’t create generic weddings. That doesn’t mean that every wedding isn’t beautiful! But what I love about this job is the ability to completely customize a couple’s wedding day by making it about what speaks to them. We consider which traditions matter to them and which they’d rather skip. Or, if they have pets, we figure out how to incorporate them into the wedding day (even if they can’t be physically present!).
My clients Lindsay and Joshua met in Israel, and both appreciate beautiful architecture. So, we sourced some Jerusalem stones to incorporate into their escort card table design. In addition, Joshua is a musician, so he wrote an original song for Lindsay that he played during the reception. These details made their wedding day feel so special!
Dana and Billy also looked to the past to create a wedding day full of meaningful details. In particular, I loved their wedding cake, which replicated the cake at Dana’s grandparent’s wedding! It was a beautiful and classic addition to the day that honored Dana’s close relationship with her late grandmother.
Pick a Venue You Love
Your venue sets the stage for the tone of your entire wedding day! Accordingly, your choice of location allows you to bring in memories or details that are meaningful to you and your spouse. For example, Lauren and Corey held their wedding at Corey’s parent’s house on Long Island. His siblings also celebrated their “I do” there, so it had become a family tradition he was committed to carrying on. Since he also loved boating, we installed a raw bar inside one of their boats for their guests to enjoy during cocktail hour! There are so many opportunities for customization when you work with a planner to host a tented wedding.
Another couple, Haley and Tim, loved camping and lighthouses. So, we combined those two interests to create their French picnic-style backyard wedding in Montauk. Since Haley’s grandfather shared her love of lighthouses, they also hiked to the Montauk Lighthouse for their bridal portraits. It was such a pretty, heartfelt wedding day!
Include Your (Fur) Family
I know my couple’s pets are like family to them, but sadly it isn’t always possible to bring them on-site. The good news is there are other ways to include your fur babies on your wedding day! For example, we worked with Lauren and Corey’s caterer, Montauk Catering Co., to put a miniature replica of their dog on their wedding cake, with a small, puppy-sized bite taken out. The couple also included an illustration of their dog on their bar sign, which advertised a custom cocktail named after him!
Craft Signature Drinks
Signature mixed drinks are another great way to treat your guests. For one couple’s wedding, we collaborated with one of their favorite date spots to create their cocktail menu. We also sourced miniature bottles of their favorite type of gin to make favors! It was a one-of-a-kind way for the couple to share an integral part of their love story with their guests.
Get Your Guests Involved
Giving your guests an active role on the wedding day will ensure a fantastic experience. I loved how Maya and David did this by leaving disposable cameras on their reception tables, so their guests could take part in capturing the day. Another couple hired a piano player for the after-party at their favorite bar, where the celebration continued all night long!
However, these are just a few ways to get your guests involved on your wedding day. One of my favorite ways couples do this is by asking for song requests on their save-the-date! Then, they pass the list on to their DJ to ensure everyone will be up and dancing to their favorite song at the reception. And you can never go wrong with late-night snacks—especially if you and your guests will be migrating to an after-party at a local bar once the formal celebration is over.
Work with Danielle Caldwell Events
There are so many kinds of thoughtful touches you can incorporate into your wedding day. The possibilities are honestly endless! Ultimately, my goal is always for a couple to walk into their reception and see their vision brought to life. I want their guests to have an incredible, unforgettable experience that speaks to the couple and their unique story.
Will you begin planning your wedding in 2023? I would love to chat about the best planning package to suit your needs! Whether it’s comprehensive or partial services you’re looking for, we’re ready to take those responsibilities off your shoulders so you can enjoy your engagement. Get in touch today to learn more!
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