Make Your Wedding Extravagant: Tips For An Over-The-Top Celebration

Planning a wedding can be challenging, but there are many ways to make your big day unique and memorable. Here are some ideas to make your wedding over the top:

- Choose a meaningful location: Select a venue that is special to you and your partner, such as the place where you met or got engaged.

- Go bold with your seating: Opt for unique seating options like pink velvet armchairs or sofas to add a pop of colour and eccentricity to your wedding.

- Embrace draped fabric: Draping fabric over arches, tables, or windowsills can create a chic and elegant look, especially for boho and festival-style weddings.

- Include neon signs: Add a modern flare to your rustic wedding with neon signs that contrast beautifully against a farm or barn setting.

- Mix modern and classic styles: Combine modern elements like shiny disco balls with classic touches like soft chiffon for a stylish tablescape.

- Create a bespoke chill-out zone: Set up a comfortable seating area with cushions and blankets where guests can relax and chat when they need a break from dancing.

- Have a dramatic aisle entrance: In addition to decorating the aisle, emphasise the entrance with a door, a curtain, or a floral staircase to make a memorable impression.

- Splurge on the open bar: Offer an open bar with beer, wine, or cocktail options to keep your guests happy and the party going.

- Have a signature cocktail: Serve customised drinks that reflect your personalities and offer huge savings compared to a full bar.

- Make a memorable exit: End the night with a festive farewell, such as a fireworks show, sparkler exit, or confetti send-off, creating amazing photos and lasting memories.

Create a unique entrance

There are many ways to make a unique entrance at your wedding. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Make a Grand Entrance

Wow your guests with a dramatic entrance that reflects your personality and style. Consider arriving by boat, vintage car, or even parachute! If you're feeling adventurous, you could even arrive on horseback or in a hot air balloon.

Set the Tone with Music

Choose a meaningful song that represents your relationship as you make your entrance. Whether it's a favourite tune, a song that was playing during your first dance, or something that reflects your cultural heritage, music is a powerful way to set the tone for your celebration.

Create a Stunning Backdrop

Transform your entrance into a fairy tale moment with a dramatic backdrop. Consider a floral arch, cascading orchids, or even a cherry blossom tree. If you're feeling extra creative, you can project a custom image or video onto the entrance area to add a unique touch.

Surprise Your Guests

Add an element of surprise to your entrance by incorporating unexpected details. For example, you could release a shower of confetti or sparklers as you make your entrance, or even have a fog machine create a mystical atmosphere.

Include Your Wedding Party

Involve your bridal party in your entrance to make it even more memorable. They can dance, carry unique bouquets or boutonnieres, or even form a human tunnel for you to walk through. If you have a furry friend, they can also join in on the fun with a flower crown or wreath.

Go Over the Top with Decor

Create a luxurious entrance with extravagant decor. Drape fabric and hang chandeliers, create a candlelit path, or display an oversized floral arrangement. You can also incorporate unique elements like a lemonade stand, a neon sign, or a custom monogram to make your entrance truly one-of-a-kind.

Make your wedding interactive

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Have a luxury dress code

If you want your wedding to be over the top, a luxury dress code is a must. Here are some ideas to help you and your guests achieve this:

White-Tie Attire

White-tie is the most formal of all wedding dress codes and is usually reserved for very formal events. For men, this means a long dark tuxedo tailcoat with fabric extensions that reach the back of the knee, paired with a white piqué button-down shirt, a white vest, and a bow tie. Pants should match the colour and fabric of the jacket, and often include a satin or grosgrain stripe. As for accessories, men can opt for white or grey gloves and formal footwear such as derby shoes or oxfords.

Women are expected to wear a formal, floor-length evening gown, preferably with an A-line or sheath silhouette. This is also the perfect opportunity to accessorise with glittering jewellery, sleek dress shoes, and elbow-length white silk gloves.

Black-Tie Attire

Black-tie weddings are the next most formal, usually taking place in the evening. Men traditionally wear tuxedos with black bow ties, a long black tie, or a long string tie. A simple black suit is also an option, but a tuxedo is preferred. Accessories-wise, cufflinks, and a bow tie or long string tie will elevate the look.

Women should opt for a floor-length gown, preferably in sumptuous fabrics like silk and organza. A sophisticated cocktail dress is also acceptable, as is a dressy pantsuit. Black-tie weddings are a great opportunity to dress up with accessories: think refined jewellery like pearls or diamonds.

Black-Tie Optional

Black-tie optional gives guests a bit more flexibility. While a tuxedo is not required, it is still an option. Men can also wear a dark suit with dress pants and nice loafers, and a conservative tie. For women, a floor-length gown, a knee-length or midi cocktail dress, or a dressy pantsuit are all good options.

Formal Attire

Formal attire is slightly less formal than black-tie, with fewer specifications. Women can wear a nice cocktail dress, and men do not need to wear a tuxedo. A jacket and tie or traditional suit are good options for men, while women can also opt for an elegant dress or a nice pantsuit.

Cocktail Attire

Cocktail attire gives guests more flexibility with hemlines, colours, and patterns. Women should opt for a formal dress with a shorter hemline, perhaps accented with jewellery or nicer shoes. Men can wear a suit and tie with a crisp black or white shirt and dress pants.

Semi-Formal Attire

Semi-formal attire is a bit more casual than cocktail attire. Women can wear a midi dress, a chic jumpsuit, or a wrap dress, while men can wear a suit and tie or a dress shirt and slacks.

Dressy Casual Attire

Think of dressy casual as a spin on business casual. For men, a navy blazer, a blue button-down shirt, or khaki pants are good options. A tie and pocket square will elevate the look. Women can wear a dress with a nice neckline and simple accessories, or a sundress, a high-low dress, or a jumpsuit.

Other Ideas

• If you're having a destination wedding, consider asking guests to incorporate the destination into their attire. For example, a mountain chic wedding could feature guests in flowy silhouettes and on-theme accessories like cowboy hats and boots.
• If your wedding has a particular theme, you can ask guests to dress accordingly. For instance, an "all-white formal" dress code or a Gatsby-inspired wedding.
• If you want to go all out, you can even suggest specific colours or patterns for your guests to wear. For example, you could ask male guests to wear light-coloured suits with pastel shirts, and female guests to wear pastel dresses or outfits.
• If you're having an outdoor wedding, it's a good idea to recommend that guests bring a jacket or coat for the evening, and avoid stilettos that might sink into the grass.

Serve a unique menu

Serving a unique menu is a great way to make your wedding stand out. Here are some ideas to create a memorable dining experience for your guests:

Choose a Themed Menu

Opt for a specific theme that reflects your interests as a couple. For instance, if you're both art lovers, print your favourite paintings on the menus. Or, if you share a love for collecting art, commission artwork that melds the skylines of your hometowns and use it on your wedding invitations and favours. You could also incorporate a custom illustration into your save-the-date cards, unfolding to tell the story of how you met, your first date, and where you got engaged.

Offer Interactive Food Stations

Interactive food stations are a popular trend and a great way to engage your guests. Consider a DIY crostini station, where guests can add their own toppings to toasted bread slices, or a dim sum station where they can build their own plates. Other ideas include a sushi station, a raw bar with shrimp, oysters, and crab claws, or a mashed potato bar with toppings such as fried onions, brown sugar, sour cream, chives, cheddar cheese, and bacon.

Serve Unique Appetizers and Entrees

Offer your guests something unexpected, like spring rolls, watermelon and feta cubes, or grilled cheese bites with shot glasses of tomato soup. For a fun twist, serve tiny tacos with dessert toppings or offer a selection of unique non-alcoholic drinks. If you want to incorporate cultural dishes, try serving paella or antipasti with olives, bread, dipping sauce, sliced meats, and cheeses.

Provide a Variety of Dietary Options

It's important to cater to different dietary preferences and restrictions. Offer vegan and vegetarian options, such as vegetable shooters, grilled vegetable skewers, or zucchini roll-ups. For gluten-free guests, consider spaghetti squash as a pasta alternative. You can also provide keto-friendly options and ensure there are plenty of gluten-free and allergy-friendly choices.

Add a Personal Touch

Infuse your personalities into the menu by including dishes that hold a special meaning. This could be a dish from your first date, your go-to drinks as signature cocktails, or family recipes with a backstory included on the printed menu. You could even replicate the entire menu from your first date to evoke nostalgia.

Get Creative with Dessert

Instead of a traditional wedding cake, opt for a dessert that reflects your favourite sweets. This could be anything from cookies with edible flowers to mini cheesecakes, strawberry shortcake, or even a candy bar with your favourite childhood treats. For a fun twist, set up an ice cream station with fun toppings, or offer boozy popsicles for adult guests.

Remember, when creating a unique menu, it's essential to consider your guests' preferences and any dietary restrictions they may have. Bon appétit!

Make a memorable exit

The wedding exit is a chance to make a final statement and end your big day with a bang. Here are some ideas for a memorable wedding exit that will wow your guests and provide great photo opportunities:

Sparkler Send-Off

For a shimmering and magical exit, organise a sparkler send-off. Provide guests with long sparklers that stay lit for a long time, creating a mesmerising canopy of light as you and your partner walk through. For added drama and reflection, set off sparklers near a body of water.

Bubble Exit

Bubbles are a fun and mess-free option for your wedding exit. Provide guests with mini bubble bottles or bubble shooters, which will create a whimsical atmosphere and offer great photo opportunities as you are surrounded by bubbles.

Confetti Toss

Confetti is a classic and colourful way to celebrate your exit. Opt for large-sized confetti for better visibility in photos, and consider pairing it with glitter for extra sparkle. For an eco-friendly option, choose biodegradable confetti.

Balloon Release

Release balloons in your wedding colours or patterns for a festive and celebratory exit. For an indoor venue, guests can toss the balloons in the air, while an outdoor setting allows for a grand balloon release into the sky.

• Unique Transportation
• Petals and Lanterns

For a romantic and elegant exit, ask your guests to shower you with fresh rose petals or release paper lanterns into the sky. Rose petals create a beautiful photo opportunity, especially if they match the blooms used in your wedding décor. Paper lanterns are perfect for an evening exit, creating a magical glow.

These ideas will ensure that your wedding exit is just as memorable as the rest of your special day, providing a fitting finale to your celebration.

Frequently asked questions