What's the best wedding you went to?

[NoEffingWaytoSurvive]

Getting married in a few years, and there are so many options to make it a fun evening. From singing waiters (who knew?!) to having magicians (not my thing but can see the appeal) the world is my lobster.

What did you have (or have the pleasure at someone else's) that made the day more fun? And what was a complete waste of money?

My first wedding, I spent hours putting jellly beans in small bags which no one even noticed. Wish I had put more into the food which was a bit shite.

Don't think anything was a complete waste of money, apart from the wedding dress I didn't like and gave to Oxfam.

Had the transport we wanted (vintage vw campers)

Small wedding (beautiful register office)

Small wedding breakfast (3 course, lovely hotel)

Photographer we found on bark for £189 - well worth her money

We didn't do favours, we didn't want gifts.

Evening was just music we'd set up on deeper and played on the stereo. Alcohol and cake for another few more people.

Didn't invite anyone I didn't want there.

*deezer not deeper ffs

The worst weddings are the long weddings. Service at lunchtime, then drinks, then dinner - then you're exhausted and you've drunk too much.

I like local weddings (no expensive hotel), that are late in the day followed by a short sharp celebration.

Long drawn-out affairs are a pain in the arse.

Why are you planning so far ahead? A few years? ? ?

I prefer a short occasion, ceremony, lunch and then leave, personally I loathe evening receptions, I don't want to dance or watch a magician.

I prefer a simple buffet, informal meal so I can mix and mingle with friends ....and then leave . And host should provide the drinks.

The best occasions I have been to have been in church halls or people's gardens, simple and informal. Most weddings (in my opinion) are a huge waste of money ... and sadly I have worked out the vast majority of weddings I have attended have ended in divorce.

^^ And I include my first wedding in that .

Have booked the registrar for late afternoon to avoid that scenario.
Hoping to ply them with booze and have a decent playlist to get everyone moving .

My sister had a small registry off ice wedding, meal in a nice hotel after.

Then we all went to the park and played rounders, drank and chatted. In the evening we got fish and chips and ate that in the park. It was a beautiful day and so much fun!

@Ragwort Would like to have got married next year but don't trust that corona would interfere.
Plus, everyone is moving their weddings to 2022 which is a logistical nightmare and artificially raises prices.

The best ones I've been to have been very relaxed, with outdoor space and lots of indoor space where you can sit and chat all evening without being deafened by a disco or squashed around the sides of a dance floor. No DJ or barn dance caller trying to get everyone on the floor whether they like it or not.

Wedding breakfast- few, short speeches. Tables well spaced out so you aren't squashed up against other tables. Table service not buffet. Definitely no hog roasts. Good choice of soft drinks as well as alcohol.

All parts of the day at one venue or very close, not having to drive miles in between. Not too long hanging around for photos.

The best part of a wedding apart from the ceremony is the chance to catch up with people you haven't seen for ages.

A small register office following by this little private members club, with a band, bouncy castle outside and a kids park. None of this was appealing until after a few drinks... the best memories!

Local, casual, starting later in the day, lots of free food and drink.

We prioritised spending on really good food and music, we had been to dozens of weddings in the few years leading up to ours and decided they were the two main things that could make or break the day.

good food choice , non expensive drink (ie not a fiver a drink) and a good band and disco,short speeches, no massive gaps in the day
some of the other fun stuff is a bit gimmicky unless to keep kids occupied

@chipsandpeas We were thinking of providing a huge selection of drinks (alcoholic and soft), and rather than gifts, ask people to bring a bottle of their favourite spirit/drink/bottle of diet coke to add to the bar.
We don't need gifts fortunately, and our venue allows us to have our own bar installed.
I just need a large quantity of gin

[quote NoEffingWaytoSurvive]@chipsandpeas We were thinking of providing a huge selection of drinks (alcoholic and soft), and rather than gifts, ask people to bring a bottle of their favourite spirit/drink/bottle of diet coke to add to the bar.
We don't need gifts fortunately, and our venue allows us to have our own bar installed.
I just need a large quantity of gin [/quote]
sounds ideal can i come?

One had a jazz band, and that was ok, and one had an irish band and irish dancing and those were good.

A good DJ makes a great evening do.

Usually it is more a case of if I really believe the bride and groom will be happy afterwards makes it special. I'm pleased to say, most are still married.

Lots of free drink basicslly.
Also went to a wedding at v picturesque hotel with lots of outdoor space which was lovely

I may be in the minority here, but I would say that things like magicians and singing waiters tend to be the sort of thing that guests actively avoid. It’s just too much effort. I think people just want to eat good food and catch up with the people they love over reasonably priced/free booze. Ideally in a great setting (be that a country house to a city centre pub) with good music. Controversial but the best weddings I’ve been to have not had reams and reams of distant relatives. The atmosphere creates itself if it’s the actual close family and good friends of the bride and groom. No forced entertainment required then!

[quote NoEffingWaytoSurvive]@chipsandpeas We were thinking of providing a huge selection of drinks (alcoholic and soft), and rather than gifts, ask people to bring a bottle of their favourite spirit/drink/bottle of diet coke to add to the bar.
We don't need gifts fortunately, and our venue allows us to have our own bar installed.
I just need a large quantity of gin [/quote]
Just seen this update. This is a cracking idea! It cost us a fair amount of money but we provided a free bar and we don’t regret it for a second! Guests were very grateful - some wedding venues where drinks are £10 a pop are eye watering!

My best friends wedding, 5 years ago, tight budget and she was so worried about not providing an amazing day for everyone.
Hired a field with a river running along the side, hog roast and camp fires in the evening, a band from the local sixth form school (they were bloody amazing)
Best wedding I've ever been to and we still talk about that night now

Plenty of food and drink and seating

Lots and lots of food. Decent canapés before the meal plus things like mini fish and chips around 10pm.

Also, I know some people think they’re cheesy but I went to a brilliant wedding with singing waiters. It’s had been organised by the MIL so the couple had no idea and it was such a lovely surprise. You’d never have guessed they weren’t normal waiters and they did a brilliant job of tailoring their act to the couple.

A smiling happy couple who are enjoying getting married rather than stressing out about the entertainment etc. Is the best thing and makes for the best wedding. People just want to celebrate with you and share in your happiness.

A band is brilliant!