In a world full of Pinterest weddings (probably more fictional than real), most women have at least one moment in which they’ve seen a pin and said “I wish I did that at my wedding!”. Seeing other brides’ ideas and what has been done at other weddings is enough to inspire any bride-to-be…and keep you glued to your computer screen for hours on end. To help you out, we’ve compiled a list of some of our favorite can’t miss surprises for your groom, your bridal party, your guests and even for yourself. From games to honoring the people you love, here are 34 great ideas that you’ll want to see come to life at your own wedding.
Photo by A Day to Cherish Weddings
1. A live wedding painter to capture your ceremony/reception space and your guests
Grey Likes Weddings
2. A wedding wheel with fun “prizes” for your guests to spin
Photo by Ren Davis of Studio 29 Photography
3. Arrange ceremony seats in a circular pattern around the couple so that everyone can see.
The Liberty Warehouse
4. Provide coasters that help people keep their drinks while dancing.
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5. Give guests to-go boxes so that they can take cake home.
Photo by Bliss Weddings & Events
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7. Create cool door tags for guests who are traveling and stay overnight.
Buy at Designs by DVB on Etsy
8. Have a creative Mad-Lib RSVP card.
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9. Put photos of yourselves at different ages corresponding to table numbers for your guests to enjoy.
Kio Kreations
10. Make your ring bearer a ring security guard.
Photo by Megan Hartley Photography
11. Make/buy an inscribed handkerchief for your flower girl that she can save for when she gets married.
Buy at Napa Embroidery on Etsy
12. Add a pop of color on the tulle under your dress.
Photo by She – N- He Photography and Design
1. Instead of throwing rice….
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14. Compile addresses of all of the guests at your wedding.
Eliza Jane Photography
15. Leave fun facts about yourselves on the tables.
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15. Honor guests that aren’t in your wedding party (or can’t be at your wedding).
(sign reads: please take a yellow rose and pin it on your lapel in honor of your sisterhood with the bride)
Photo by Amy Arrington
16. Pin something sentimental on your bouquet.
Photograph by Alisha Brooks. Buy at ILovePaperkits on Etsy.
(This bride pinned her sorority sisters’ membership pins on her bouquet)
Photo by Braska Jennea
17. Make your own Instagram hashtag that your guests can use. Not only is it fun for them, but it also allows you to see all of the pictures your guests uploaded to Instagram in one search.
Photo by Faithfully Focused Photography
18. A “Please Call Anyone But the Bride” list of phone numbers for your wedding party to keep stressful, last-minute problems away from the bride on her wedding day.
Photo by Brooke Courtney
19. Include a space on the RSVP where guests can request songs to play at the reception.
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20. Play The Shoe Game at your reception. The bride and the groom are seated back to back and each hold one of their partners’ shoes and one of their own. Then, the maid-of-honor, best man, and other guests read a list of “who” questions about the relationship (“Who does most of the cooking?”, “Who made the first move?”, etc.) to which the bride and groom hold up the shoe of the person who best fits the answer.
Photo by J.R. Phillips Photography
21. Attach your garter to a football for your husband to throw.
Photo by Amy Arrington
22. Write each other love letters on the day of your wedding and seal them closed in a box with a bottle of wine. Open the box on an anniversary.
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23. Have the groom write a message to the bride on the bottom of her shoe the morning of the wedding.
Photo by Alea Lovely
24. ….or have bridesmaids do the same thing. It’s said that whoever’s name does not wear off by the end of the night is the next to get married!
Photo by Ericson-Wolfe Photography
25. Give each table a song name or lyric. When their song plays, the whole table has to get up and dance. If you are doing a buffet dinner, the song could also be the table’s cue to get food.
Photo by Lotus Blossom Photography
26. Create a piñata for you to break open on your first anniversary filled with notes from your wedding guests.
Photo by jenny demarco photography
27. Have guests sign a calendar with their birthdays, anniversaries, etc.
Photo by Robyn Navarro Photography
28. Guests throw darts at balloons filled with paint attached to a canvas. You keep the art.
Photo by Katelyn James Photography
29. Leave advice/prediction cards about your future together for guests to fill out.
Red Fly Photography
30. Number your RSVPs with a black light or regular pen so that you know which guests responded or to help read illegible handwriting.
Found at My Coin Purse
31. Take a picture of the rings with a newspaper from the day of your wedding.
Photo by Ashley Bartoletti Photography
32. Throw heart-shaped confetti made of pages from your favorite book.
Buy at Tree Town Paper on Etsy
33. Instead of asking for registry items, let guests donate to your honeymoon fund (also known as a nice way to ask for money as a gift).
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34. Incorporate cake pops that match your wedding invitations
Cake Pops Designed by Sweet Lauren Cakes, Wedding Stationery by Wedding Paper Divas