Little 'extras' on the day...

[Onemorefortheroad]

Hi everyone

Planning our wedding for next March and got all of the 'big' things sorted.

Just wondering what other extras people have had? From big to small, ie we were thinking of having a string quartet or some live acoustic music for during the drinks (when we are off getting pics done) to the small personal touches, ie some things I've seen at other weddings such as 'Pimp your Prosecco' bar, a basket of flip flops for people to use when feet get sore etc etc. Looking for some inspiration!

Flip flops is good. But mainly feed and water people welll at regular intervals and don’t disappear off for hours to get photos done.

Thank you, have those things covered

Your guests won't remember the extras. They will remember the food - whether it was good or bad, whether the venue was too cold (we left a wedding early because we were frozen), whether the drink flowed or the pay bar was too expensive, the venue and the weather. They won't remember what wedding favours you had, whether the chairs had matching covers or the table decorations or any other extras.

I would save your money or use it to buy drinks for your guests.

Sweet bars usually go down well. I’m going to do one but just a small one, not like a big cart.
I have also seen the little baskets in bathrooms of bits people may need (deodorant, paracetamol, tampons, mints/chewing gum etc).. this is a nice touch.
Pimp your Prosecco yes often goes down well. My caterers do this but mega pricey, I am thinking about doing one myself.
The flip flop thing is cool. Have seen that and also slipper socks (with grips on bottom).

Agree with Tapas that you should use your 'extras' money for the catering and drinks -- the 'cute extras' stuff is only Instagram-friendly, and will not be noticed or remembered by anyone, any more than wedding favours are.

It's pretty clear from the recurrent wedding favours threads on here that it's the people getting married who for some reason want to have wedding favours, the guests don't have the faintest interest in them. Cutesy little baskets of flip flops and mints and headache pills are just playing house by people who've read far too many wedding magazines. Assume your guests have enough common sense to avoid shoes that are going to be uncomfortable and bring their own tampons.

Music (live or recorded) during photos is a good idea, dd is in a string quartets and it's quite popular now (they also perform as a singing quartet). Plenty of soft drinks is another tip and water (those big containers with slices of citrus fruit in are a good idea). Snacks for any kids that aren't chocolate eg mini cheddars.

Completely agree don’t scrimp on the soft drinks - I was at one recently with complimentary Pimms/Prosecco/beers galore, 19 weeks pregnant, and the bar tried to charge me for a glass of flat lemonade but then decided not to as it was ‘meant for the Pimms anyway’... oh well that’s alright then 🙄. Nothing else on offer. Couldn’t believe it.

a string quartet or some live acoustic music for during the drinks (when we are off getting pics done) now that sounds nice whereas imo any fripperies are going to cost and are just another way of getting you to part with your money.

Please don't use the word pimp it's vile.
Food and drink are where to spend your money but personally I always notice stunning flowers. Good music makes a big difference.

Oh yes, some kind of music during drinks reception. We will be having two female singers who play guitar and violin.

I’ve been to a lot of weddings, and I do remember the extras and enjoy them. I’m not bothered about a free bar personally.... it’s certainly not an expectation in my circles.
I could also tell you every favour from the Weddings I have attended over the last 6,7,8 years.

You will get a certain response on MN unfortunately on these topics. Do what you want for your wedding.

One wedding I hated was one where it was unlimited champagne all day but no entertainment, no extras. Food was decent enough. It was fairly boring

Flip flops are a brilliant idea. Wish I'd thought of that at my wedding because my feet were killing me. I disagree that people don't like favours. All of our were eaten and drunk at the wedding. Mind you we only served 2 courses so maybe people were hungry

I think the general mn consensus is that edible favours are welcome but non edible could be a waste of money.

The things that were appreciated at our wedding were the live evening band and the free bar. We didn't bother with favours or any little extras as we felt it made more sense to focus on the free bar and entertainment. The only thing we did do that could be considered a little extra was we had a 'his' and 'her' cocktail as part of the bar service. We designed a sign for it. We limited the free bar to beer, wine and single spirits, so felt that a choice of 2 cocktails was a good compromise.

I like the slipper sock idea. Flip flops are difficult if you've got tights on but as a PP said, you'd bring your own change of footwear wouldn't you?

Goldfish swimming in a bowl of flowers on every table

If there's any outside time then wraps/blankets - that was really appreciated at a wedding I went to

Also a photo booth. Everyone was dressed in their best and was a great opportunity for family/friend group pics as memories

Ha, got a socks and flip flops ad on this thread.

That aside, every basket of flip flops I've seen at weddings have always gone untouched.

I think blankets if you're going to be outside at night is a nice touch.

Wouldn't bother with favours and I really don't like the "advice for b&g" cards or get to know your table quizzes.

Kids like sweet bars but they make me feel a bit sick. All sticky and everyone putting their hands in.

"Flip flops are a brilliant idea"

In March?

Yes flip flops are a brilliant idea in March because they are likely to be worn near the end of the celebrations whilst guests are inside. I'd welcome them at any wedding because I wear unsuitable but fabulous shoes.

I would be wearing tights in March because I'm a wimp.
And I can't walk in heels so I wouldn't be wearing unsuitable but fabulous shoes

Basket of toiletries in the bathroom is good. With paracetamol, Rennie etc. Lots of people take small bags to weddings so leave medications like this at home to save room. Hairspray & body spray and emergency sanpro.

I've seen the flip flop thing before but it only seems to be used at the very end of the night by the hard-core fee staying til the very end.

If you are doing drinks vouchers then I'd spend the money on more of those.

Little activity packs for any children is good, colouring books and a packet of bubbles.

Hot drinks available. Just went to a fantastic outdoor wedding and there were no hot drinks at all. By 10pm in a chilly field, however fab it all was I’d have murdered a cuppa, as would designated driver dp.

Lots of people take small bags to weddings so leave medications like this at home to save room.

So basically the people holding the wedding are providing spare footwear and essentials for adult women who've come out for a long day and night without (1) wearing shoes they are comfortable in or (2) bringing a handbag big enough to contain essentials. What does this say about female occasion wear?

We had a March wedding, didn't provide flip flops but perhaps should have as there were several people with cold bare feet out in the smoking area by the end.

For additional entertainment we hired some giant (indoor) games, & we also had a caricaturist. Both were very popular.

Kind of wish we haven't bothered with the favours as there were sooooo many left on the tables afterwards

Oh and at the end of the night we also gave out vouchers for free chips at the chippie next door