The 15 Elements of an Unforgettable Wedding

By: Ramon Lazaro

 

Your wedding is all about celebrating the love between you and your new husband, but that doesn’t mean you can’t turn the event into an
amazing party, too!

Beautiful Invitations

Your wedding invitations are the first indicator of what kind of party you’ll be hosting, so don’t miss the opportunity to tell your guests all about
your big day. An option that reflects your specific style is a great way to let friends and family know what to look & expect, plus it will help get for what’s to come.

Choose an Incredible Venue

whether you’re tying the knot at a far-flung destination or right in your hometown, selecting a venue that fits your wedding style and can  accommodate all of your plans is key. Translation: If you’re looking to host an ultramodern bash, a romantic renovated barn is probably not the venue for you.

Make a Serious Statement Down the Aisle

All eyes will be on you on your wedding day, no matter what, but there are a few ways to ensure your ceremony entrance is extra grand: Set the
tone with some amazing music, choose unique lighting, and wear a spectacular wedding dress.

Hire a Meaningful Officiant

Your officiant can be anyone — your lifelong religious leader, a great friend or a special family member. Whoever it is, it’s important that you
feel they understand you as a couple and can relay your love story to your guests on the big day. On top of that, you want someone articulate, outgoing, and entertaining since these attributes will all help capture the attention of your guests.

Splurge on Incredible Lighting

Lighting is an important part of any party, but particularly one where
photography will be a big part of the proceedings. Whether it’s for your ceremony
or reception, it’s worth the investment to upgrade to unique or romantic
lighting that will add tons of interest to your photos.

Have a Short Gap Between the Ceremony and Reception

While you might be able to get a better price for an early ceremony time and a later reception, it’s best to keep the gap time between your events
short enough that guests won’t be left wondering what to do. Of course, there are circumstances when this just isn’t possible (say, if your childhood church or temple only offers one time for the ceremony and your reception venue cannot accommodate an earlier start time). If that’s the case, it’s nice to plan a mini-reception for guests, offering small snacks and drinks, or arrange for a group outing, like a local wine tasting or museum visit.

Provide Guest Transportation

Arranging transportation for your guests (whether it be from the hotel to ceremony and reception or back to the hotel at the end of the evening)
is a very thoughtful detail to include, especially if you’ll be hosting several out-of-towners that won’t have a car readily available. Plus, it’s the safest option if you’ll be serving alcohol at the reception.

Decorate with Surprising Décor

It should come as no surprise that there are countless ways you can decorate your reception venue, but going with the less-than-expected picks
(read: those hidden gems buried deep on your Pinterest board) will make your event truly shine. Sure, twinkle lights and lanterns are beautiful, but how often have you seen ivy chandeliers and dangling crystal-inspired lights?

Opt for Inventive Reception Seating

While a well laid-out seating plan is an important part of any wedding, choosing creative seating pattern will make the evening unforgettable.
Long banquet-style tables look beautiful and, when planned well, make for easy conversation among guests.

Choose Gorgeous Florals

From your bouquet and ceremony flowers to your reception décor, splurging on something a bit more statement-making than your average bundle
of blooms makes a big impact. Pretty details like floral table runners and ceremony structures, a flower wall, or bold bouquet are all details that will stand out in the minds of your friends and family long after the event is over.

Have an Awesome Open Bar

An open bar is a nice touch at any wedding, but offering signature drinks or a specialized menu makes your reception even that much more memorable. Consider a curated selection, like a few interpretations of the Moscow Mule, or a martini or margarita bar where guests can imbibe in your favorite

Hire a Pro Entertainer 

If you want guests to remember having a blast at your reception, then it’s worth investing in a great band or DJ. These pro entertainers can read a crowd and will make sure they’re playing a selection of tunes that will get your friends and family out of their seats and on to the dance floor.

Offer Delicious Meal Choices

Your guests may not remember the exact details of your floral arrangements or what song you walked down the aisle to, but they’ll likely remember
what they ate — especially if it was particularly delicious!

Choose a menu with tons of tasty

options (and one that accommodates common food allergies and dietary restrictions) and your friends and family are sure to leave your reception happy.

Provide More Than Just Cake for Dessert

There are a multitude of reasons why it’s a nice touch to offer more than just cake for dessert, but chief among them is really quite simple — people like options! Sure, it’s kind to have a gluten-free confection if you have family members with food allergies, and it’s great to have a nutfree
selection of treats, too, but even your guests who can eat everything will appreciate that there’s more to nibble on than just cake.

Host an After-Party

Whether you’re shelling out to extend your reception hours or moving the celebrations to a smaller venue (or even a bar!), it’s nice to give your guests the option of partying past 10 p.m. After all, some of your friends and family have traveled far to be with you, and by heading out promptly at 10, you’ll likely miss out on spending precious time with your guests. BY GABRIELLA RELLO

Fall/Winter lookbook from Isabelle Armstrong’s luxury bridal collection headquartered in New York City, creating beautifully crafted gowns that epitomize elegance, glamour, and allure. The exclusive design house is comprised of a select team, which combine their talent and experience to create beautiful, sophisticated pieces. Each gown is made with a precise attention to detail—from perfect pleats, delicate drapery, to the highest quality of fabrics and materials— which place the Isabelle Armstrong Collection on the highest tier of wedding gown designers.

 

Nicky Hilton, 31, marries James Rotschild in Kensington Palaee in London, looking regal in an elegant white Valentino gown with lace overlay.
The dress featured a high neck, long sleeves, and a dramatic train, which trailed behind her as she made her way to the nuptials. She also wore
a long but delicate veil with ornate embroidery.