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!

[Lochroy]

We had a photo wall with pics of DH and I at various stages through life which provided much hilarity and a good talking point during the drinks. Didn't cost much to print them off ourselves and has been often mentioned since.

[Wherearemyminions]

We had bathroom baskets and a lot of the stuff was used, but if there are going to be children there please don't put paracetamol in them, we left it behind the bar and there was a small note in the basket to say if needed just go and ask at the bar.

[Alaimo]

@LittleKitty I genuinely think that's a brilliant idea, I'd love that as a guest :D

[Onemorefortheroad]

Thank you for all of the responses, great ideas! Everyone will be well fed and there will be plenty to drink so no worries there. I always notice the extras at weddings but not planning to spend loads, just bits and bobs here and there!

I haven't worked out how to tag on here but one of the PPs mentioned the use of the word pimp, which I also hate, but which unfortunately often appears to be used in that context at weddings in reference to the Prosecco garnish table. Not my phrase.

[Hollywhiskey]

We supplied confetti (dried rose petals so not really litter and what the church told us to use), that all went.
Definitely agree with food, drink and edible favours - free bar, chip van, that type of thing. I can still tell you which friends had edible centrepieces ranging from bowls of celebrations to elaborate ice cream sundaes made out of sweets - they all went.
Live music is great.
We did a photo booth which went down really well not just with the kids but also with the adults (possibly related to the free bar...). It was very cheap - we literally got a load of dressing up stuff from Poundland and charity shops and put it in a quiet corner along with a cheap digital camera on a tripod. The kids took it in turn to play photographer and lots of pictures got taken on phones too. The kids also did a lot of dressing up and that kept them happy.
Food after the ceremony is important especially if that's when you're having your photos done. Make sure your wedding party gets some too, I remember being a bridesmaid about to faint with hunger doing loads of photos having eaten only a croissant all day (had to get ready in bridezilla's hotel room and she felt sick at the sight of food so none of us got any 🙁)

[Banhaha]

Ooh yes, if you want lots of confetti then supply some. So many people don't bring know it as they don't know if it's wanted or if people are doing bubbles or something else instead.

@PhossyJaw I know, I always take a big bag with me to these things but I know people who try and go the whole day with a small but glamorous clutch. They are then stuck if they get an unexpected period or heartburn or fancy just fixing up their hair. It doesn't need to be expensive but is a nice touch for those who have not quite thought through their bag choice.

[TapasForTwo]

TBH it wouldn't occur to me to bring confetti. I don't like it as it is litter.

[LiveEachDay]

I recently got married and the sweet cart and flip flops totally disappeared so I would say deffo them
We had quite a few kids so made them a little bundle up to go on the table for during the speech's they had colours colouring book and little bits like a pack of haribos and some bubbles
I also made confetti bags and they were snatched up - surprising how many people didn't bring confetti
For our guestbook we had a photo frame with a photo of us in the middle and a large white mounted border for everyone to sign which is a lovely keepsake it's up in our living room
We also hired a photo booth which was a bout £200 but it was a massive hit and you get a copy of all the photos I would deffo recommended this if you have spare cash!

[notatwork]

IME people do remember the extra bits as long as they have been fed well, were comfortable etc. It's only if those go wrong that people don't remember any of the extra touches.

Activity books for children, sweet bar, table games, outdoor games, selfie corner (with masks etc), bouncy castle, ice cream van, musicians, cupcakes, juggler, band in the evening, pashmina basket, bathroom baskets, handmade crafty bits everywhere: paper cranes, little notices, guest book trees...I went a bit overboard for my wedding but people did notice and remember it fondly.

[maxelly]

Completely agree that good, plentiful food and drink are the pre-requisites for a fun wedding so if you have spare budget these should be the no 1 priority. Even if you have the main meal sorted you could add a cheeseboard, evening buffet or extra drinks on? But if you are sure you have these covered then some other little extras can be nice.

Some live music would be great, personally I prefer music you can dance too rather than a string quarter or whatever during the mingling bit but really the important thing is that it's good music otherwise it's just a disturbance. Better stick with your standard DJ or playlist and speakers than get a cheap, rubbish band who everyone has to politely listen to! You could also look into entertainment for any children coming, e.g. a magician?

Are your guests all sorted for transport, particularly home after the wedding? Can you organise a bus or taxis back to hotels for non local guests, having this sorted is really helpful if you don't know the area!

Flip flops, blankets for outdoors and toiletery baskets are nice ideas but have gone mostly untouched at the recent weddings I've been too. You could maybe donate unused supplies to a local homeless charity afterwards though?

The things which have really gone down well at recent weddings I've been too are personal touches - e.g. at one wedding the B&G had written a little personal message for each guest on their table settings/name cards - just a little anecdote, memory, thank you message or joke related to that person. It must have taken them ages but people loved them and was a good conversation starter at the tables (much better than those 'advice cards' someone else mentioned - great yet another thing to wrack your brains over!).

[LittleKitty1985]

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

[LittleKitty1985]

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

[PhossyJaw]

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?

[Orangedaisy]

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.

[Banhaha]

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.

[TapasForTwo]

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

[ooooohbetty]

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.

[TapasForTwo]

"Flip flops are a brilliant idea"

In March?

[crustycrab]

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.

[jackstini]

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

[BlueMerchant]

Goldfish swimming in a bowl of flowers on every table

[LizzieMacQueen]

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?

[Normandy144]

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.

[Hollowvictory]

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

[ooooohbetty]

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