Most fun wedding you've attended

[Champisjy]

Tell me all about it! Where was it and what made it so fun?

I've recently returned from a relatives wedding in India and I just loved it. The dancing, the food and oh the games. Just was fab.

My friend’s wedding. It was always going to be good because I love her, so being there on her special day was really meaningful. It was a beautiful venue (not particularly expensive but just really picturesque and not miles away so it was possible to get taxis home). The food was incredibly good. Lots of places to sit down, beautiful gardens and perfect weather and we were on a table with some really fun people. None of us knew each other but we ended the night all dancing together to Cotton Eye Joe. That was probably one of the best weddings I’ve been to.

One of the others that sticks in my mind was DH’s cousin. They had a really good band, we were on a really good table with cousins who had all grown up together so were happily taking the mickey out of each other, and we just laughed and danced all night.

@WilfredsPies lovely. Were they 1 day events?

Yeah, one in England, one in Wales, so pretty standard, traditional one day jobs.

I’ve never been to a one day+ wedding, I imagine it would be quite the celebration!

DD's. When the caterers worked out I was the guy paying for it, my glass was never empty.

Plus DW's hat was far, far better than the mother-of-the groom's.

DW and I both agreed it beat our wedding into a cocked hat.

My friends (three) Indian were then beat I've ever been to.

Turning up on a horse to Hammersmith town hall
The food
The dancing

All of it really

Mine. Vegas.

Best wedding was the singing waiters as so unexpected but they were so good during the wedding breakfast that the evening went flat!

A friend's covid limited to 30 wedding where it meant most people didn't know each other but all had a fab time because we had all been locked up so long. Famous London Registry Office (limited to 15) and screened to others and then a hotel roof terrace reception.

My friends budget wedding in a village hall in Cumbria- simple church service at church next door then straight to buffet of french bread, cheese, etc, people brought along something simple to share instead of present. Wedding cake made of tunnocks tea cakes which were then thrown at people by bride and groom. No seating arrangements, people told not to wear suits as they were 'workwear' and to wear something they felt happy in, friends did fire-eating displays on the village green and there were massive lit up wings to play with. Bottle of wine on each table then a cheap paid bar. The couple were in their fifties, a really eclectic mix of people there and the best wedding I have ever been to.

Probably my friend's wedding which was in a country pub. Pretty low budget and laid back. Loads of seating available as it was a pub with a beer garden, so you could sit and chat with people, but there were also games and it was in the country so you could wander about. I think it was fun as there was no waiting around. That's usually the worst bit for me as a guest - too much hanging round while the b&g have photos taken.

A friend of mine I think - they got married young, not long out of university (also where we were friends from), so were on a fairly limited budget. It meant they didn't do plus ones for anyone and the whole thing felt like a big reunion, full of people who I just adored. The subsequent hangover was less enjoyable!

Anything with plenty of food, wine, friends and music to dance to.
Abroad- Friends wedding overlooking the sea. Dolphins were surfing the waves outside! Food was excellent, great weather and a brilliant night.

Chesterfield- lovely hotel. Stunning views, delicious meal then a pig roast later in the evening.

Nairn- Another lovely hotel with views, amazing food and a bar open all night! Not that I was up that late!

Worst experiences:

-Not enough food! A cousin had a supposedly substantial canape meal and ordered double the amount. By the time we left- the remaining canapes which had been sitting on the side, had been whisked away. The bride asked for them, to be told they'd been thrown out! DH and I bought a take-away when back in the hotel because we were starving.

-Same 'trendy/chic' venue, not enough seating. They had some bean bags, a sofa, coffee tables, stools and a few tables/chairs but not enough for everyone to have a seat. Hours standing in heels is not fun!

-Not being aware that drinks needed to be purchased. When I moved to the UK, I'd never been to a wedding which not only had separate day and evening guests before, but also didn't include at least endless wine. I'd be used to paying for top shelf liquor, but wine/soft drinks were normally included so it was a new one on me.

@Darkclothes I went to a wedding a good 10 years ago where not only drinks had to be paid for - but food. It was a great big sit down affair at a posh hotel with most people staying at the hotel as well and we were presented with our share of the food bill on checking out. That was an unpleasant surprise. Also been to a more casual affair where the food was supplied by burger vans and everyone had to pay for their own as well. That was less of an unpleasant surprise as the couple were very young, but still there had been no indication in advance.

The best ever wedding I went to was one where the B&G had met in AA and they had a riotous afternoon tea party with ALL the best sandwiches and little cakes you could possibly imagine and no booze in sight. There were loads of grumbles about that in some quarters but actually it was tremendous fun (and came before I myself became a teetotaler) where everyone could chat and laugh without getting rat arsed. It was in their garden on a glorious summer day and was just joyous.

Its the lack of communication beforehand that annoys me more than anything. I wouldn't mind an alcohol free wedding at all. One provided a glass for toasting, that was it. I was happy to buy my own, but they had no gin, no vodka, no wine to buy and only some bourbons and whiskeys!

Another wedding, we not only had to buy our own drinks, but also pay for our own meal- which was a pizza van! If you know beforehand, you can be prepared and make a choice. IMO its rude to do that though and then NOT mention on the invite that NO gifts are expected.

Way back in 2017, a friend of mine got married (civil) on a farm in Somerset.

It was a glorious summers day, with a spectacular sunset.

Probably 100 or so guests, a marquee, wooden furniture, some cows watching. We all drank cider and danced to 80s music. Someone, can't remember if it was the farm owner or a neighbour, drove a big tractor/harvester thing across the field beside us. It was covered in lights and strobes and lasers, looked mesmerising in our cider fuled happy state.

We have been married over 20 years ago and friends still talk about our wedding.
It wasn't actually anything special (it was to us obvs) but I think we struck the right balance between orgainsed and chilled out.
Nothing was too formal but there was some structure, the food was great and plentiful - buffet but seating plan. Chocolate wedding cake that was served for dessert. Service was in a chapel in a picturesque area but non religious. We had around 60 guests and everyone was invited to the whole thing, no evening only guests and most stayed in the Reception venue.
It was kind of like a lovely big house party where we got married

Love how people always comment 'mine' on these threads. Just because you thought yours was good doesnt mean everyone else did

OK, blowing my own trumpet here (I’ve been informed it was “the best wedding” but I’m sure it would be some people’s idea of hell as well).

Mine and DHs wedding was over a weekend, with people turning up on Friday afternoon/evening. It was at an outdoor venue with woods, a lake and a river.

We put up a big old school marquee, plus a smaller tipi, there was also a really big covered pergola like structure which we put a dance floor and the DJ booth under.

We hired a company to put up loads of bell tents (either basic and people brought their own stuff, or the proper “glamping” experience), loos and showers. The bell tents were paid for by the guests (at cost) but there was no pressure to hire one, there were a few b&bs and taxi companies locally. I’d say about 2/3 of the guests opted to stay.

We hired a childcare company to set up the tipi for kids, lots of games during the day of the wedding and then they turned it into a big sleepover tent with stores and movies.

The whole weekend was catered - we’re lucky though as got a great deal from a caterer friend. Pies and mash on the Friday followed by a pub quiz and then a silent disco under the pergola, cooked breakfast and a big game of rounders on the Saturday morning, then the ceremony beside the lake (we were surrounded by dragonflies, it was beautiful), cocktails and canapés whilst DH and I had some photos taken around the venue, then the meal in the marquee, followed by a friends band and then a disco back under the pergola (DH and I DJd for a bit, then our DJ friends took over). The evening food was our wedding cake (made of cheeses) with lots of bread, crackers, pickles and coldcuts. There was also a campfire which lots of us ended up around with guitars and singing, and a friend did some fire juggling.

At midnight the caterer brought out cups of tomato soup and sausage rolls. Then just coffee and pastries on Sunday morning before everyone left.

We really just wanted to have loads of fun with the people we love. There was a big emphasis on music throughout the weekend (DH and lots of his friends are musicians and I dabble in singing and DJing). We were committed festival-goers back then as well (not quite so much these days) so that was the vibe we were going for. Asked for no gifts but chose a couple of charities for donations.

I always said we’d do something similar for our 10th anniversary, but I haven’t got the energy! It took a LOT of organising.

The low-key, short ones with no standing around and plenty to eat and drink. I’m not a fan of noon-midnight marathons with a gap in the middle.

It seems quite a few of those mentioned are more budget ones, rather than the no expense spared type we’ve become used to. Maybe the tide is turning against mega money weddings.

People loved ours, was fairly traditional in the sense that we had the elements you expect but we swopped things about a bit and the fact I’m not keen on photos meant that bit was minimal!

church wedding followed by drinks and cake at the church (open invitation so we know was invited, we know a lot of people a bit if that makes sense) then off to a favourite pub that has a private room seating up to 100 for 3 course dinner, live band and crucially free bar. But the cost, because we used venues and local musicians we know who didn’t rip us off because it was a wedding, was under £5k. Even including clothes, long haul honeymoon, food on Friday for out of town guests and breakfast/brunch on the Sunday was under £10k. I’ve read typically it’s 2.5x this without the honeymoon, live music or free bar typically