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Extras at a wedding - what do you actually enjoy?

470 replies

Bridecilla · 26/05/2020 14:57

Guests will be fed and watered. Not wanting to go mad with £££ that won't make a jot of difference.

We've booked a really good wedding DJ. Beer on tap.

Glitter bar? Photo booth??

OP posts:
Bridecilla · 26/05/2020 18:26

The favours will be a free drink - gin Grin

OP posts:
peperethecat · 26/05/2020 18:28

The favours will be a free drink - gin

Yeah but... doing them that way will be more expensive because you will have to pretty them all up. What will you do about mixers? Some people will not drink them. Some will get left on tables and either swiped by the more hardened drinkers or left behind at the end of the night.

Seriously. Just put more money behind the bar so everyone can get something they want. Trust me on this one.

People spend so much time and effort on favours and they're really not worth the bother.

cheeseaddict420 · 26/05/2020 18:28

the best free extra I ever had at a wedding was a pair of slippers! Was at a wedding in Mexico (apparently this is normal there, but this is the only Mexican wedding I've been to so don't want my word for it) and all guests in high heels were given a pair of hotel slippers (disposable basically, but nice) so they could get out of their shoes and really party. Everyone had them on and it was great. Though careful on this, my cousin was at a wedding and they were giving out flip flops, she was drunkenly Irish dancing in them (she is Irish before anybody asks/gets funny about this), kicked too high, slipped in the flip flops and seriously injured herself!

other than that as pp say, food, drink, somewhere to sit are the most. important things. I do like a photo booth too tbh, always lots of fun.

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Aclh13 · 26/05/2020 18:32

I went to a wedding a year ago that had a photo booth and it was a very posh country club affair, sit down 5 course the whole shabang. I just remember sitting there thinking wow what a waste, firstly all of that money could've gone to a better honeymoon, savings ect, also at the end of the day people only care about good food and good vibes. For my wedding one day I'd be happy enough with a big tex buffet, live band and alcohol in a marquee 😂

IncrediblySadToo · 26/05/2020 18:34

Just so I can start getting prepared...what's the guest dress code?!

Are there any animals?

peperethecat · 26/05/2020 18:34

I just remember sitting there thinking wow what a waste

This makes me feel sad for the people that spent money inviting you to their wedding. If you were complaining that they had a photo booth but you weren't fed adequately then you might have a point, but it's pretty bad manners to slag off someone's wedding just because it isn't what you would have chosen.

Bridecilla · 26/05/2020 18:38

@IncrediblySadToo erm.. is 'weddingy comfortable' a code? Friends will be happy to pop their converse in their bag for the evening 🤣

There are lambs, horses and chickens. I saw a pic of one wedding where a chicken randomly accompanied the bride down the aisle

I really do appreciate all of the advice. This must sound common as shit to those used to more classy weddings but, even though we both have professional jobs etc... me and do are pretty laid back.

OP posts:
peperethecat · 26/05/2020 18:40

It doesn't sound "common as shit" at all!

Someone mentioned this upthread and I don't know if your budget will stretch to it, but if it's a country barn style wedding, a friend of mine had a band and caller to do country dancing at theirs and it was amazing. So much fun.

DrCoconut · 26/05/2020 18:41

At my wedding we had the ceremony at a local church at 1pm. The reception was at a social club a short drive or half hour walk away with free drink (alcohol or soft) on arrival. We kept photos to a minimum so guests weren't waiting ages. The food was on the go by half 3. It was an ongoing buffet that lasted until kicking out time so no one was hungry. The first wave was done by caterers so it was ready in time, the rest we went to the cash and carry a few days before and got a large and varied selection of party food. Guests were really happy to help themselves and pitch in with heating things, cutting things up or whatever. We had no long speeches, seating plans, dress codes etc either. Just an informal gathering with a great live band who we were lucky to have as friends. It's still a memorable day even though I'm not with my ex anymore. I appreciate it's maybe not how most people do weddings though Grin

Dogsaresomucheasier · 26/05/2020 18:41

Something to entertain kids, enough loos at venue, I do quite like cheesy, ice-breaker activities over drinks to get people who don’t know each other well to mix.

maddy68 · 26/05/2020 18:44

Actually I hate the weddings that try too hard. Forget the photo booths etc. I just want to get pissed and have a laugh. Good DJ is important. Forget a live band. They kill the dancing.

justforthecake · 26/05/2020 18:54

Photo booth is fun and gets all ages involved.

I went to a wedding that did pictures with sparklers in the evening and it was so stressful, drunk young men, sparklers, flammable outfits and kids were a dodgy combination and although it made a nice picture it was very dangerous.

BikeRunSki · 26/05/2020 18:57

Worst wedding I ever ever to - memorable for there being no food for non-family guests I mean literally none. Service at midday, family only lunch, evening reception. Everyone except the b&g expected 7.30pm reception to mean “evening meal”, most guests had fine 200 + miles and were staying 2 nights. The after party in the Chinese chippy at 9pm was fun though!

Best wedding I’ve ever been to, memorable for plenty of food and the children’s playground in the village hall garden. Venue chosen for the playground. Service at 3, quick group photos, afternoon tea in village hall whilst b&g had family photos done, speeches with fizz and wedding cake (centrepiece of the afternoon tea), dancing, huge buffet, more dancing, fish and chips from village chippy (b&g set up a tab). There were lovely, quirky and age apropruare gifts at every child’s place too. Hugely well thought out.

I have no idea if either wedding had a photo booth, glitter bar, sweetie trolley, matching turtle doves, drag act... or even sugared almonds. Full tummies, something fur everyone to drink and happy children is what you really need to aim for.

I’d have no interest in a photo booth or glitter (especially not glitter now).

highmarkingsnowbile · 26/05/2020 18:59

Just go for the hog roast! People who don't like it can look away. Wouldn't go for any gimmicks, just more food and drink!

Noflora · 26/05/2020 19:02

I didn't realise the hog roast was part of the compulsory entertainment. Just look away and eat it or don't.

2018SoFarSoGreat · 26/05/2020 19:06

what is the date again? I need to make sure to put it on my calendar.

it sounds wonderful, OP. All of it. Even the hog roast (and I'm a vegetarian but appreciate that other people will get excited by this!)

It seems to be a good split for the photo booth but otherwise you've got this.

Mo81 · 26/05/2020 19:06

A book for your quest to sign. Some colouring books and pencils or bubbles for the kids

CuteOrangeElephant · 26/05/2020 19:08

@musicposy I just had a separate platter for my friend with coeliacs and also (gluten-free) macaroons instead of wedding cake which she really enjoyed.

Bridecilla · 26/05/2020 19:11

@2018Sofar thanks Blush

There won't be many kids. We're late bloomers so our ds (9 by next summer) friends ds the same age, a 12 year old and a 6year old)

OP posts:
CuteOrangeElephant · 26/05/2020 19:14

We had a self serve beer tap, beer pong, table tennis and doughnuts right after the service. Fish/sausage and chips from a van as the main meal (made first for my gluten-free friend) and pizzas from a local restaurant in the evening.

The beer tap was a huge hit, near the end of the evening people didn't bother with glasses anymore which made for brilliant photos Grin

peperethecat · 26/05/2020 19:22

Doughnuts!

Sonichu · 26/05/2020 19:30

"I am not vegetarian by the way, just know I would vom at the sight of the pig turning"

You know where meat comes from, don't you?

CigarsofthePharoahs · 26/05/2020 19:31

Sounds like a lovely day op!
One wedding I went to, the bride had put some gift bags together for the kids. Colouring and stickers. Kept my then 4 year old very happy during the service. Also quiet.
Hope you have a great day!

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 26/05/2020 19:39

One thing I wish was mandatory at weddings, was somewhere to sit and natter away from the horrendously loud music that’s all too common later. At one such family wedding a sister in law who I don’t see often and I had to go outside (in the drizzle!) because it was simply impossible to hold any sort of conversation in the room where the disco was going on - and there wasn’t anywhere else.

riotlady · 26/05/2020 19:53

@Bridecilla your venue sounds an awful lot like a place we’ve been looking at but haven’t been able to see yet- are the initials HHFB by any chance?

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