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Wedding Vibes: Setting the Tone
When it comes to your wedding theme, think outside the box and let your imagination run wild!
First of all, we suggest not using the word ‘wedding’. The word ‘wedding’ comes with a bunch of preconceived ideas and expectations that can leave you feeling deflated and longing to elope!
Instead picture you and your friends hanging out together, doing what you love, whether it's a backyard BBQ, a bonfire on the beach, a music festival, dinner party, or a cocktail party. Ask yourself, how many people were there? What were we eating, drinking, and doing? What music was playing?
These experiences can inspire you for how you think about and plan your wedding day. Think of your wedding as a fun party you get to throw and let that help guide everything from the location, seating, food, music, and more.
For example, if you love the idea of a backyard BBQ, why not opt for a pizza truck for catering? Or, if you love epic views, choose a venue situated with a view? And, if you are big foodies, what about hosting your wedding at a restaurant?
Don't be afraid to do the unexpected; it can make for pretty memorable moments that you and your guests will love. So let your creativity take the reins and get ready for an unforgettable wedding experience!
Add a Pop of Fun with Confetti and Cannons
Fast, fun, and colorful, confetti is a great way to include your guests in the celebration. Who doesn’t love throwing things, right? You can even include confetti cannons for an extra statement. It’s a great idea for a “moment”, like the first dance or the ceremony exit. Also, be sure to chat with your florist about compostable confetti options.
Use Furniture and Decor for a Relaxed Atmosphere
Furniture and decor are great tools to help set the vibe! They can create a relaxed and inviting atmosphere for your guests. Creating different ‘break-out spaces’ with bar leaners, rugs, and couch furniture can help encourage different groups of people to chat with each other. Rugs and festoons can add a touch of whimsy and help change the look and feel of a place. Consider using natural elements like flowers, greenery, or houseplants to bring the outdoors in.
Mix and Mingle: Spend Quality Time with Your Guests
Make sure to allow time to spend with guests between the ceremony and reception. One of the best parts of the day is hanging out with your favorite people, eating canapés, and drinking champagne!
So while it can be tempting to plan lots of family photos or bridal party photos, it usually comes at the expense of this beautiful mingling time! We suggest that you have less formal photos and do them on-site. This also means more candid time and photos with everyone. Often in summer, there is time to sneak out during dinner with your photographer to do your couple photos in the sunset light while your guests are happily distracted.
Unleash Your Inner Foodie
While a sit-down dinner is traditional at a wedding, there’s no rule saying you can’t serve mains as canapés, have a pizza truck, or tacos for your dinner option. Or even - dare we say it - opt for a lunch or brunch wedding. We’ve seen the way a meal is served at a wedding really dictates the vibe of the day, and there’s no wrong way to do it.
Sip and Celebrate with Personalized Wedding Drinks
Serve an unexpected and personalized drink option. Consider adding your favorites like G&Ts, Pimms cocktails, whiskey stations, and espresso martinis. A signature drink is a great conversation starter and a great way to let your guests know what you're all about (or even include a little fur-baby into the day). Don't be afraid to get creative with your drink choices. You can even incorporate local or seasonal ingredients or fun DIY labels to make your drinks truly unique.
Set the Mood with Music
Music can set the mood and create a lively atmosphere for your guests. Great food, drinks, and atmosphere are key, but music! Music can really elevate the experience. Consider background music during cocktail hour, dinner, and what kind of vibe you want to follow the formal parts of the evening. That could be a band, DJ, or single performer during the reception. Whatever fits the vibe and theme you're going for.
Take the dancing outdoors for Summer Weddings
If you’re planning a summer wedding, why not consider an outdoor dance floor? Festoons can be used to define an outdoor space for dancing under the stars! (They also usually provide nice lighting for photos - double win - 😉). You can also incorporate other outdoor elements, like fire pits or sparklers, to create a fun and relaxed atmosphere for your guests.
Rock a Smoke Machine and Add Some Drama
If you’re feeling shy about your first dance, using a smoke machine with a few well-placed lights can help create an epic dancefloor experience. However, be sure to discuss with your venue regarding smoke alarms. You can even use a smoke machine during other parts of the reception, like your entrance or cake cutting, to add a touch of drama and excitement!
Conclusion
Your wedding day should be a fun reflection of who you are as a couple! By incorporating elements into your wedding that really resonate with you, things that feel fun, relaxed, or exciting to you, you can create a unique wedding day that feels like you, and that you and your guests will always remember. We hope these ideas have inspired you to think outside the box and create a day that you really enjoy!
Also, be sure to consider venues that have already thought through and included some of these fun ideas in their offerings already! Like Rose and Smith who have perfected the backyard-bbq feeling in a glamourous way, or Boomrock that includes the most epic view over the Tasman Ocean, or Tironui farm that allows byo catering or Ruth Pretty who emulates a family-dinner garden vibe seamlessly, or Sudbury that has a stunning beach down the road.