Weddings can be the best day out in the world but with a 1pm start, they can feel on the long side for guests that have been getting glammed up since the early hours. If you’re looking to make sure there’s no major lulls and your guests feel like a big part of the day, there are some great little ideas you can work in to your wedding. Interactive and entertaining ideas like guest books, video booths and sparklers – things your guests can get involved with – will ensure they have an absolute ball. Check out some popular ideas below…
1. Have a Heartfelt Ring-Warming Ceremony
Photo via The Broke-Ass Bride
If you’re looking to get guests involved in your ceremony, one lovely way to go about it is to have a ring-warming ceremony. If you’re the nervous type, this might be best avoided but if you don’t mind your guests passing your wedding rings around so that they can make a silent wish for you guys (or say a silent prayer or blessing) as you start this amazing new chapter together, this is a lovely way to kick-start your ceremony. Invest in a cute dish or little pouch to make the passing part that bit easier!
2. Leave Out Confetti or Flags for Some Ceremony Exit Fun
Photo by Jen & Chris Creed via Southern Weddings
For the most part, guests get to sit back and enjoy the ceremony, admire the dress and possibly tear up as you say your vows but if you want to get the celebrations started early on, an upbeat, interactive ceremony exit can be great fun. The iconic confetti shot is still a popular option but with lots of venues vetoing it, some other creative exits like bubbles, flags and balloons have popped up in its place. You get some amazing photos and guests have a bit of craic as well!
3. Pop Some Song Request Cards on the Tables
Photo by Katherine Ashdown via You & Your Wedding
The dance floor is where all the action happens later on so if you want to make sure it’s jammers, this little idea is a good one. Leave some song requests cards on the table so guests can fill in the tunes that will have them up dancing – this way there’s plenty of crowd pleasers! And if you’re looking for some more great little ideas to keep the dance floor packed, be sure to check out 13 Ways to Make Sure Your Dance Floor is Packed.
4. Have Some Fun with the Speeches with Sweepstakes Slips
Photo from Sharon & Tadhg’s real wedding by Eden Photography
The speeches can be lovely but people can get a bit restless so a few games never go astray! One way to make them a little bit more interactive for guests is to leave out some speech sweepstakes slips. It will get guests mingling and chatting at their tables, plus they can have some friendly competition amongst themselves!
5. Get People Sharing Snaps with a Wedding Hashtag
Photo from Kathleen & Gary’s real wedding by The Fennells
Your wedding photos are one of the things you’ll look forward to most after the festivities and the wait can seem like forever! If you fancy getting a peek of everyone’s snaps the morning after, a wedding hashtag is definitely the way to go. Guests can upload their pics to the likes of Wed Pics or Instagram with a personalised hashtag so you have access to all the antics from the Big Day straight away.
6. Get Guests to Sign Your Guest Book
Photo by Kathy Silke | Photo from Aisling & Michael’s real wedding by ATL Photography
The guest book comes in many forms these days with everything from globes, Jenga pieces and personalised caricatures for your guests to sign. It’s one of the easiest ways to personalise your Big Day and it’s a great way to get guests involved, plus you’ve got something to look forward to reading after the wedding as well. There’s no end to the type of guest books you can have – if you want to keep things simple, Pearls and Lace Bridal Boutique, Favour Lane, HenWorld.ie and River Lane Memories have some gorgeous paper style guests books or if you’re looking for a unique alternative, be sure to check out 15 Creative Wedding Guest Books here.
7. Or Leave Some Great Advice
Photo by Lindsay Madden Photography via Style Me Pretty
Another take on the more traditional guest book is to get everyone to leave some advice or suggestions. There are lots of creative ways to go about it from asking them for date night suggestions to ‘the recipe for a perfect marriage’. Check out 10 Fun Questions to Put to Your Wedding Guests here!
8. Capture all the Antics & Well Wishes with a Video Booth
Photo by Brooke Courtney Photography via Style Me Pretty
One trend that is really taking off is the video booth! Photos are one thing but having your guests’ hilarious antics, well wishes and messages on camera will provide some seriously funny post-wedding entertainment. Not to mention the fun they’ll have compiling them! Check out Irish suppliers offering this fun service here.
9. Create Some Lovely Memories with a Photo Booth
Photo from Chris and Anne’s real wedding by Emma Russell
Another brill way to get guests out of their seats and involved in your Big Day is with a photo booth or photo wall (or if you’re looking for the trend of the moment – the selfie mirror!). They won’t need much encouragement, guests will be lining up to get their photo taken and if you make it in to a photo wall or guest book feature, you’ll get to keep a copy of the pic and get some well wishes as well. Check out Irish Photo Booth suppliers in the weddingsonline supplier directory.
10. Have an Epic Ending with Sparklers All Round
Photo by Kensington Blue via Runway Chef
We LOVE sparklers and we bet you anything your guests will too! These sparkly little sticks of joy are great for getting people involved in your day whether you choose to roll them out for the arrival, first dance or as a fabulous end to the night – you’re in for some magical pics plus guests will have so much fun twirling them about.
Main photo: (L) Photo by Andy Freeman Photography via Wedding Chicks | (R) Photo by Isabelle Selby via Ruffled
