8 Ways to Make a Big Statement on Your Wedding Day + Wow Your Guests
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You’ve probably spent hours daydreaming about what your wedding day will look like. It’s only natural to want people to enjoy and remember it just as much as you, but to do that, you need to find a way to set your event apart.
As a wedding planner, I can tell you that the most memorable weddings are ones that reflect the couple’s personalities rather than follow the same trends that have been done so many times. Don’t get me wrong — trendy elements can be gorgeous, but bringing your own unique vision to life is what really makes a statement at the end of the day.
To help you brainstorm, I’ve compiled a list of ideas to help you plan a wedding that leaves a mark!
1. Create a Wedding Day Mission Statement
Making a statement at your wedding begins in the very first stages of planning. First, start with concept creation. Sit down with your partner and wedding planner and decide on an overarching theme for your big day. Then, consider the following questions:
Do you have an aesthetic vision in your head you want to recreate?
Do you have any wedding inspiration you’d like to draw on (ex. magazines, Pinterest)?
What kind of vibe are you aiming to create?
How do you want your guests to feel?
More importantly, how do YOU want to feel on your wedding day?
From there, create a wedding mission statement to help guide the planning process from start to finish.
2. Say Yes to a One-of-a-Kind Dress
Your wedding dress is one of the most important garments you’ll ever wear, but you don’t necessarily have to stick to the white gown tradition. Consider having a dress custom-made to fit you and your personality, or go with something completely unconventional. Nobody’s stopping you from wearing a mini dress or something with a splash of color if that’s what your heart desires.
And it doesn’t have to stop there! If you’d prefer to ditch the traditional veil, go for a different type of headpiece, like a flower crown, headband, or even a tiara for the perfect fairytale touch.
3. Transform Your Venue With Unique Decor
Many of my clients want a complete transformation of their venue, and something that can make a huge difference is the use of ceiling decor. These pieces bring the eye up and add a new dimension to the space.
If possible, find a way to incorporate suspended decor, whether it be floating floral arrangements, lanterns, drapery, or chandeliers. Another option is to choose a more refined venue and fill it with hand-picked floral arrangements, possibly with a pop of color that brings out your personality.
4. Make a Grand Entrance
A lot of couples talk about making a grand exit but forget about the entrance. If you really want to make a bang, plan an entrance that no one is expecting.
For example, if you’re having a fairytale-themed wedding, pull up in a horse-drawn carriage (or even ride the horse down the aisle!). For waterfront venues, maybe you can make your entrance on a boat. Get creative with this and find a way to tie it back to your wedding mission statement. Even just some special lighting and sound effects can go a long way in making your entrance more unique.
5. Go Big With Entertainment
Your entertainment is a unique opportunity to captivate your guests. Whatever your wedding concept or theme, there are nearly endless options to choose from.
You could incorporate activities that encourage guest participation, like giant Jenga or a photo scavenger hunt that asks guests to snap a variety of photos and share them on social media. Or you might choose to hire an entertainer such as a live painter, belly dancer, or even a fire breather.
6. Choreograph Your First Dance
For many newlyweds, the first dance is an intimate moment that unfolds naturally. However, if you’re the kind of couple that likes to show off, choreographing your own first dance routine can be a fun way to flaunt your moves — and the best part is your guests won’t see it coming.
Even if you don’t want to put together a complicated “Dancing With the Stars” routine, you can still make a statement by practicing ahead of time to incorporate simple dips and turns into your dance.
7. Plan an Immersive Guest Experience
For something that’s sure to impress, put together an immersive experience to get your guests involved. It could be a multiple-day event, like a retreat or wedstival, or simply an assortment of activities that encourage them to actively participate in your big day.
The goal is to craft a thoughtful atmosphere and a cohesive feeling that carries throughout the event, making it a memorable experience for everyone involved.
8. Blend Personality and Tradition
Blending personality and tradition is something that’s really important to me as a wedding planner. It can mean a lot of things and really comes down to you as a couple, which is why it’s so important to hire someone who puts in the work upfront to get to know you and your personality.
For example, maybe you met at Starbucks, so you incorporate a coffee bar and specialty coffee cups. Or maybe you have a fur baby who you choose to dress up and include in the event. Here are a few other ways you may choose to weave your personality into the day:
Veering away from traditional wedding scripts
Opening up the dance floor before dinner
Serving your favorite dessert instead of traditional wedding cake
Tips for Planning a Statement Wedding
Making a statement at your wedding is an exciting prospect, but you should keep a few things in mind as you plan:
Give your photographer/videographer a heads up. Let your photographer know ahead of time about any statement pieces you have planned to make sure they capture all of your special moments.
Find a way to tie everything together. Choosing a central theme to plan all your statement pieces around ensures everything flows together. This is where hiring a wedding planner can be a great investment.
Make your enjoyment a priority! Don’t get so caught up in making a statement and wowing guests that you lose sight of what the day’s really about. Don’t be afraid to take risks, but remember that having a good time is more important.
Making a statement at your wedding is ultimately about planning a day that reflects on your personalities as a couple. It’s about staying true to you and bringing your unique love story to life, which is where an event planner comes in handy. If you’re in the tri-state area and looking for a wedding planner, learn more about
what I do and get in touch if you think I’m the one for you!