Lyla Dejesus
A wedding social is a fundraising event with origins in Manitoba, Canada. It is an opportunity for the couple to raise money for their honeymoon, wedding, or future plans, while guests get to enjoy the event and win prizes. Wedding socials are also known as Winnipeg Socials or Manitoba Socials. To plan a wedding social, you'll need to choose a venue, design and sell tickets, plan the menu, book a DJ, and pick raffle prizes. In recent years, there has also been a rise in the trend of hiring a wedding social content creator to capture content for social media.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Fundraising for the couple's honeymoon, wedding, or future plans |
| Location | Royal Canadian Legion hall or community centre in Manitoba, Canada |
| Food | Deli food such as cheese, pickles, crackers, bread, and meats; buffet-style dinner |
| Music and Dance | DJ playing typical social songs like "Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy" and "Cotton-Eyed Joe"; a special song for the couple |
| Tickets | Designed and printed, including time, location, cost, contact, and event details; standard price: $10 |
| Prizes | Raffle items, including a grand prize ($400-$600 value) and smaller items ($100-$350 value) |
| Social Media | Wedding hashtag for guests to follow and post; permission from the couple to post pictures |
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What You'll Learn
Venue: Royal Canadian Legion hall or community centre
When it comes to choosing a venue for your wedding social, there are two traditional options: a Royal Canadian Legion hall or a community centre. Both are popular choices for wedding socials in Manitoba, where the events originate.
Opting for a Royal Canadian Legion hall means you won't have to worry about providing your own drinks, as the staff will usually run an affordable bar for you. This can save you a lot of time and effort in the planning process. When choosing a Legion hall, it's a good idea to compare the services and costs of different halls, as well as considering their capacity in relation to your guest list.
If you choose to go with a community centre, you will need to take on the responsibility of providing drinks yourself. This means obtaining a liquor license and selling your own liquor. This can be more work, but it also gives you greater control over the drinks options and potentially more flexibility in terms of costs. As with Legion halls, it's important to consider the capacity of the community centre and whether it will comfortably accommodate your expected number of guests.
Whether you choose a Legion hall or a community centre, the venue will play a key role in setting the atmosphere for your wedding social. These events are typically characterised by a lively atmosphere, with music and dancing throughout the evening. The food is usually served buffet-style, with a variety of snacks available on each table.
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Food: Deli food like cheese, crackers, and bread
Deli food is a great option for wedding socials as it is easy to prepare and can be presented beautifully. Here are some ideas for a delicious deli spread that your guests will love:
Cheese, crackers, and bread are a perfect base for your deli buffet. Offer a variety of cheeses, such as cheddar, Swiss, and maybe some blue cheese for those who like it. Crackers come in many different shapes, sizes, and flavors, so choose a selection that will complement your cheeses. You could also provide some fresh, crusty bread and breadsticks.
To accompany the cheese, consider adding some meats. Thinly sliced prosciutto, salami, and other cured meats are always popular. You could also provide some sliced turkey or chicken breast for those who prefer something lighter. If you want to get creative, wrap slices of prosciutto around fresh peaches or nectarines for a sweet and savory appetizer.
No deli buffet is complete without some condiments and extras. Provide some relishes, mustards, and chutneys to add a flavor boost. Olives, sun-dried tomatoes, and cornichons are also great additions. Don't forget to include some fresh fruits and vegetables, such as grapes, apple slices, and carrot sticks, for a healthy option.
To round out the meal, offer some sides and salads. Potato salad, coleslaw, and pasta salad are always popular choices. A mixed green salad with a variety of veggies is a great way to add some color and nutrition to the plate. If you want to get creative, work with your caterer to choose an interesting mix of veggies that ties into your wedding color palette.
Finally, don't forget about presentation. The food should be displayed beautifully, with an artful arrangement that will wow your guests. Use different levels, plates, and bowls to create a visually appealing spread. Add some fresh herbs or edible flowers for a pop of color.
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Music: DJ playing songs like Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy
A wedding social is a Manitoba-grown concept, and it is a fundraising party held before the wedding. It is a way to include friends and relatives who cannot be invited to the wedding and allows them to support the couple financially for their new life together. It is usually held at a community centre or a Legion hall.
Music is an integral part of a wedding social, with the beats going on all evening, and everyone hitting the dance floor. If you are planning a wedding social, you can hire a DJ to play popular social songs like "Cotton-Eyed Joe", "Boot Scootin' Boogie", and "Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy". As the evening progresses, the music can switch to dance and Top 40. If it is a wedding social, the DJ can also play a special song for the bride and groom and another for the wedding party.
The DJ can also play some classic social songs like the butterfly dance, the chicken dance, and the Macarena. These songs are a staple of socials in small towns and communities. Two-step songs and clog dancing are also popular in certain regions.
In addition to the music, there are usually prize draws and auctions at a wedding social. Prizes can range from donated goods and services to grand prizes like a mini-fridge, video game console, or high-definition TV. Alcoholic beverages and snacks like chips and pretzels are also provided throughout the evening, with "social food" brought out around midnight.
A wedding social is a fun and festive event that allows the couple to raise funds for their wedding while including their wider community in the celebration.
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Tickets: Design, print, and sell tickets for the event
When designing your tickets, be sure to include all the necessary information about the social, such as the time, location, cost, contact details, and who the event is for. You may also want to include the names of the bride and groom, as well as a brief description of the event as a wedding social. Consider adding a small map of the location, too, so guests can easily find the venue.
Try to make the tickets visually appealing and perhaps incorporate a design that ties in with the theme of your wedding. You could use colours from your wedding palette or include a small illustration or pattern. If you're stuck for ideas, there are many online templates you can use for inspiration. Once you're happy with the design, print off enough tickets for your guest list, plus a few extra in case of last-minute additions.
The standard price for wedding social tickets is $10, but you can charge more or less depending on your budget and the cost of the venue and food. If you're holding the social at a community centre, for example, you'll need to factor in the cost of a liquor license and the drinks you'll be selling.
To sell the tickets, enlist the help of your friends and family. Ask them to spread the word and sell tickets within their networks. You can also sell tickets at the door, but be mindful of the capacity of your venue and don't sell more tickets than the space can hold. It's important to note that you cannot advertise the social as you would for a non-profit organisation.
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Prizes: Source raffle prizes from local companies or purchase them
Wedding socials are fundraisers, so you'll want to have a variety of prizes to encourage guests to participate in the raffle. It's a good idea to have a mix of big-ticket items and smaller prizes. Here are some ways to source prizes for your wedding social:
Source Prizes from Local Companies
Local companies, especially smaller businesses, are often willing to donate prizes for fundraisers. Reach out to businesses in your area, especially those that are new or that don't typically receive donation requests. Consider contacting businesses such as:
- Hairdressers
- Spas
- Gyms
- Car dealerships
- Coffee shops and restaurants that you frequent
- Dog groomers
- Landscapers
- Niche retailers
- Boutiques
- Local artists
When approaching these businesses, explain the purpose of your wedding social and why their support would be meaningful. It's also a good idea to promote the business on your social media pages or event website to show your appreciation and provide them with some advertising.
Purchase Prizes Yourself
If you're unable to secure enough donated prizes, you may need to purchase some items yourself. Consider buying prizes that are unique and will appeal to a wide range of guests. For example:
- Portable cameras, such as drones or GoPro cameras
- Eco-friendly transportation, like electric scooters or bikes
- Custom art pieces, perhaps with a wedding theme
- Gift baskets or wine, which are popular raffle prizes
Utilize Your Network
Don't underestimate the power of your network! Reach out to your friends, family, staff, volunteers, and wedding party members to see if they have connections to businesses or individuals who might be willing to donate prizes. They may also be able to contribute prizes themselves if they have relevant items to spare.
Plan Ahead
Start sourcing prizes well in advance of your wedding social, ideally about six months ahead of time. This will give you a better chance of securing the prizes you want and allow you to adjust your plans if needed.
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Frequently asked questions
A wedding social is a fundraising event with origins in Manitoba, Canada. It is a chance for the couple to raise money for their honeymoon, wedding, or future plans, while guests get to win prizes and enjoy the social event.
You will need to choose a venue, organise food and drinks, book a DJ, and design and sell tickets. You will also need to decide on the raffle prizes and how to sell the raffle tickets.
Decide whether you are happy for guests to post about your wedding on social media. If so, provide them with a wedding hashtag. If not, ask guests to turn off their phones and cameras, and let them know you will share your own photos with them.
