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I posed the following question to six Disney® Fairy Tale Wedding Coordinators:
“What is the one thing a bride could do that would set her wedding reception apart from other weddings?
What can someone do to make their wedding more like a Fairy Tale Wedding?”
Real Answer Number 1
What you have to do is include the family.
What that looks like, for each couple, is different.
I think it is special when couples include family traditions, family recipes, or make the family feel a part of their celebration.
1. I have had couples do scrapbooks, not just of them, but also of their families.
(A great place to set this up would be next to your guest book as guests enter the reception area.)
2. A favorite family recipe has been included in the meal.
(a recipe book or card can be set up as part of the favor on each table).
3. Lastly, let your guests know how their family is playing a role in their day.
(A personalized note to each family member means more than you can possibly imagine!)
-I love the unique idea with the recipe. That could be done for next to nothing, and all your guests will love how different it is!
Real Answer Number 2
I thought about this and the only thing that kept coming back to me was “something unique.”
A great element, that is memorable, is the Marriage Dance.
This only works when the wedding guests include many married couples.
The Marriage Dance is done to “Through The Years” by Kenny Rogers, or another appropriate song.
The MC asks for only married couples on the dance floor, and then announces a length of time to eliminate them.
The first announcement is always “24 hours or less” and that, of course, eliminates the Couple.
Then, they stand to the side of the dance floor as the years are announced in 5-year increments.
At the end, we are left with one wonderful older couple that is still dancing after 50 years or so.
Then the MC asks them, “What is the key to your marriage that helped you stay together for so long?”
Most of the time, pearls of wisdom are said, and it is a beautiful moment.
(Sometimes this can be done instead of the Bouquet/Garter toss. The Bride presents her flowers to the honored couple at the end of the song.)
To me, it creates a very sentimental and real moment, which is felt throughout the room.
-This dance, every time I perform it, never fails to touch everyone at the reception. A great idea!
Real Answer Number 3
Establish a realistic budget… and then determine what will please the majority of your guests.
It could be food, beverage options, or entertainment.
People sometimes get lost in the “It’s all about me” wedding syndrome.
Keep your guests in mind when planning a wedding.
Look at your RSVP’s and try to plan what will please the masses.
If you have an unlimited budget, you can afford to go all out and please everyone.
If you have to watch your pennies, go for what will please most people, as you won’t be able to please everyone.
Keep in mind; you are the host of the party.
It is the host’s responsibility to make sure that their guests are taken care of.
Maintaining a balance of what you (the couple) want, and what your guests will enjoy, can be tricky.
For example: If your guests love to dance, invest in an experienced DJ or top-notch band.
If your guests are big drinkers, look at enhancing the bar option.
If it’s all about food, then make your menu selection a top priority.
There is an industry term- “know your audience.”
Know your guests and try and make them feel welcome and special.
In turn, your reception will be fun, and your guests will enjoy it.
Most will walk away saying it was the best wedding they have ever been too.
A few things that many people often forget about are special food needs, like allergies and restricted diets.
It will amaze people that you took the time out to cater to them- and it shouldn’t cost you any additional money.
Personalize your seating cards instead of a normal place card with the person’s name and table number.
For example, you can write a short thank you note- and on the outside of the envelope- write their name and table number.
You can do this for all of your guests, or a select group of special people: Godparents, aunts and uncles, or out-of-town guests.
-It’s really true about not having the “it’s all about me” wedding syndrome. It’s one of the biggest mistakes a couple can make.
Real Answer Number 4
A lot has to do with individual taste, and what are priorities for the couple.
1. Do a Grand Finale at the end of the reception, to leave your guests with a lasting memory.
Especially effective are confetti bursts for the last dance.
Big endings stick in people’s minds!
2. Do a special or dramatic presentation with the food, such as using glow sticks or a server parade with the opening course.
Years ago, people paraded food with sparklers that always went over big, but fire codes got tougher.
You don’t see them much anymore, but glow sticks, used in the right way, can be a great substitute.
3. More food ideas: Martini Bars or Flambé Stations with uniformed chefs preparing food in front of your guests will fill them with awe.
Have desserts served on a glowing tray or platter (there’s the glow sticks again).
Lighting works wonders!
-There are some great ideas here, especially involving food.
Real Answer Number 5
It’s all about the details!
1. When the couple personally goes table by table, at the end of dinner, they can hand out their favors instead of having the favors pre-set on the table.
That way each guest is greeted and thanked personally for coming.
2. Amenity baskets (in the bathrooms), that contain Tylenol, Band-Aids, Rolaids, hairspray, mints, etc.
This makes the guests feel that all of their needs have been thought of.
Usually a note card accompanies the basket.
3. Everyone always wonders what to do with the centerpieces!
I have had groups donate them to nursing homes or hospitals, which is a great way to add some cheer to someone’s day.
4. The couple can also write a hand-written note to the moms, grandparents, aunts, or whomever they select to receive the centerpieces.
Then have a bridal attendant present the note card to each designated person sometime during the night.
The note card simply states that they love them, thanks them for coming, and lets them know to take a centerpiece at the end of the night.
-A common theme I am seeing here: the importance of a handwritten note. It can work wonders in this day and age of texts and email!
Real Answer Number 6
Themes and Interesting Touches
1. Themes really set great weddings apart from “regular” weddings.
For example, an “Under the Sea” theme was for a couple that met diving.
A “Mad Hatter” theme was for a couple that loved Alice in Wonderland.
Other themes we have done include: a Hawaii or Beach theme, a Winter Wonderland theme, and a Brat Pack theme that actually had Swing Dance instructors.
We once did a Las Vegas theme with martini bars, casino games, and an Elvis impersonator.
The favors were decks of cards with the couple’s name and wedding date on them!
2. You can play with the room set-up.
In a large banquet room, have the Pre-Reception (cocktail hour) in one section, and then open the air wall.
This will reveal the couple who are already standing on the dance floor, ready to go right into their first dance.
After the dance, all guests move into the dinner room and take their seats.
It is very different and always a big surprise to the guests, who think it’s amazing.
3. You can also do the room trick in reverse.
The dinner room has only dinner tables, and only after everyone has finished eating, the air wall opens.
The couples sneak out of the dinner room area a little bit early, and get pre-set behind the air wall ready for their first dance.
After the big “reveal” of the couple behind the wall, all the guests join in the first dance.
-That’s a great idea about the air wall. This is something that would incur minimal costs if you were already planning two room sections (for pre-reception and dinner).
Each one of these Fairy Tale Wedding coordinators has different and exciting ideas that you can incorporate into your big day.
Even if you try just one, you can almost be assured to “wow” your guests.
Good luck… try something new and different!
-DJ Chuck