The week before my wedding, I had a bit of a freak out (familiar to anyone else?). I realized that my wedding seemed really… serious. And I was not comfortable being serious about an important life moment while a bunch of people were staring at me.
In order to feel more comfortable during my own wedding, I came up with a variety of coping mechanisms. Due to poor planning (and some resistance from relatives), I just barely missed executing many of these ideas. Here they are, my gift to you. If you manage to do what I couldn't, please send me an email full of pictures and gloating.
1. Tambourines instead of flowers
Who needs flowers when tambourine bouquets are a thing?
Have we got a killer wedding coming up later this week for you, but I couldn't wait to share this one particular detail with you.... Read more
Imagine it: anyone in a wedding who normally carries flowers (like bridesmaids and the bride) instead holds a tambourine and rocks out like Stevie Nicks on acid. Not only would it be fun, but tambourines are way cheaper than flowers. Plus it's a fun wedding souvenir.
2. Kazoo first dance
Boogie into your ceremony to a chorus of kazoo music
Guest participation in your ceremony can be a big win in the fun department. We've seen kids ringing in the bride with bells, and a... Read more
If the idea of you and your new spouse dancing ALL BY YOURSELVES IN FRONT OF EVERYONE makes you want to die, consider enlisting the help of your friend, the trusty kazoo. You can find cheap kazoos online, at the dollar store, or at a party supply store, and you can hand them out to all your guests before the first dance. Whether you're playing a song from your Spotify account or you have a live band, everyone can just kazoo right along. And let me tell you, kazoos sound funny. Just listen to this:
It's impossible not to laugh when you hear it. It'll definitely loosen you up for the dancing and take some of the focus off of you.
3. Themed wedding: Winston Churchill!
Feel free to insert another historical figure here. The benefit of Churchill is that he's an unusual wedding choice, plus he has tons of pithy quotes that could be used in many different contexts.
For the drinks table: “I have taken more out of alcohol than alcohol has taken out of me.”
By the dance floor: “We are all worms, but I do believe I am a glow-worm.”
For the wedding invitation: The era of procrastination, of half-measures, of soothing and baffling expedients, of delays, is coming to a close. In its place we are entering a period of consequence.”
For the getaway car: “This is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.”
Plus, my maid of honor is an amazing graphic designer and book artist who made my invitations, and she had the idea of sending cut-out Churchill and FDR masks embedded in the invitations. Basically, Churchill's cute baby face could have been on the front of my wedding invitations! Sadly, all other parties involved thought it was too weird, so we left the idea for another day.
4. In lieu of gifts, a potluck dinner
This would have saved everyone so much money.
5. Mystery dinner theater rehearsal dinner
What better way for your moms to bond than solving the mystery of which one of your bridesmaids killed Uncle Doug?
6. Vader + Stormtrooper
See Vader kiss a stormtrooper at this Star Wars beach wedding
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I had the idea in college to get married dressed as a Star Wars Stormtrooper. I loved the idea of walking down the aisle in a scary white robot suit, complete with a delicate veil and a crown of little pink flowers attached to the head. What better companion for a Stormtrooper bride than a Vader groom? To me, the beauty of this idea was that it wouldn't take place within the context of a Star Wars-themed wedding. Everyone would be gathered in their typical wedding finery, and I would inexplicably emerge in costume.
Bonus: if your face is covered by a mask, no one can see your feelings!
7. Costume for the ring bearer: Frodo (the original ring bearer!)
Let this Lord of the Rings ring book carry the burden of the one ring for you
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Again, this would not have to take place in the context of a LOTR-themed wedding. The pun is too good, and plus, how cute would it be to see a little kid costumed in shaggy hair, pointy ears, and big hairy feet trundling down the aisle?
Oh, what might have been! I've already told everyone that for our tenth anniversary, I'll have a vow renewal ceremony that is as bizarre and cheap as I always dreamed of. Until then, live out my dreams for me!
More quirky wedding ideas to steal!
If YOU end up using any of these ideas, let us know so we can share with Ivy!
These are awesome ideas!
A word of caution about a potluck dinner though, I would suggest assigning what you want people to bring. I went to a potluck wedding where at least half the guests brought chips and salsa (and a quarter of them didn’t bring anything at all).
That’s hilarious! I didn’t even consider that possibility. Step up your game, people!
I’ll admit, I’m disappointed not to see any mention of wagons pulled by large dog breeds, the throwing of condoms or Taco Bell hot sauce packets, or “Ringu.”
…sounds like someone has a guestpost to contribute!
What about an adult flower girl? Adults are cute, too.