Weddings ain’t what they used to be!

Weddings ain’t what they used to be! And that’s no bad thing… Traditionally the bride, her family and bridal party were responsible for putting the wedding together and making all the big decisions from venue to menu, to flowers and favors. These days couples are far more likely to both be engaged in the planning. After all, it’s the grooms big day too.

Over the last couple of years, having a wedding that reflects both people’s personalities as well as their shared history has been a key trend. In 2023 we can expect to see the rise of the experiential wedding. But what, you may ask, is that?

The concept is a simple one — but getting it right is tricky! An experiential wedding is one where the guests are not merely onlookers, but active participants in the day’s festivities.

This doesn’t mean that attention is no longer centered on the happy new couple. Instead it is a way of making guests feel more involved in the proceedings.

There are a number of ways couples can do this. Some go for little touches, such as asking all of their guests to be involved in some aspect of the day’s activities. Other couples prefer have an almost immersive experience.

One way couples do this is by hosting activities over a few days, or even a week leading up to the wedding. This could include tourist activities or sightseeing events. It can also include more domestic affairs, such as a “wisdom” lunch with older friends and family members who pass on sage advice for a happy marriage.

Another way of including guests is by giving your wedding a theme. If you are both fans of the circus, the Roaring 20s, comics or even Star Wars, you could style your wedding accordingly. Guests however should only be asked to dress the part if they like — it is rude to insist. Many people will enjoy dressing up to play along as it makes them feel a greater part of the festivities.

Just a few words of caution… Firstly, planning a number of activities on top of a wedding can stretch both your financial and emotional resources. That means you should think carefully about what to include. In addition, too many extra activities may be a financial burden for some of your guests. Younger people with student loans, those who need to travel to attend, and guests with limited incomes may simply not be able to afford a slew of events. Therefore, you should not demand that everybody take part in every single thing.

It is also a wise idea to include activities that guests can attend without any extra outlay. This could be something like attending a reception at either the bride or groom’s family home for sharing old photographs and memories.

Finally, you need to think about the physical capabilities and personalities of your guests. If you have a range of activities planned, include some that are suitable for older people, children or anyone with limited mobility. Remember too that some people hate being the center of attention. If you ask them to sing, read a poem or perform in any way, they’ll be dreading it for weeks beforehand.

In a nutshell, an experiential wedding is a personalised wedding, but one where the enjoyment and involvement of guests is taken to heart. Getting the balance and the budget right can be tricky, but if you do, yours will be a wedding nobody will ever forget.