Ten ways to make your Cardiff wedding more memorable
Congratulations! You are planning your Cardiff wedding and are having a lovely time but you are starting to worry how to make sure your wedding is one to be remembered.
Having been a wedding florist for more than 18 years I have seen my fair share of weddings—and just about every wedding trend in the book. I can honestly say that the weddings that leave a lasting impression are the one’s that speak from the heart. I am sure I say this in most of my blogs and social media posts, but it’s true, it’s YOUR wedding so do it YOUR way.
But how do you decide which personal details to include, and how do you even come up with them in the first place? Here I have a few tips that might help you along the way. My advice would be sit down and make a few notes on who you are as a couple and how you want your day to be. Look to your own personal story, do not copy the stories from another couple you saw on social media.
To accompany this blog I have attached images from a stunning wedding day, thank you Jake Morley for the truly wonderful images. India and Aidan’s wedding is the perfect example of how to get married the way you want. I have written about their wonderful wedding in more detail at the bottom of the blog.
Now, grab a pen and notepad and enjoy my ten ways to make your wedding day more memorable.
Pink florals for a memorable wedding ceremony. Image by Jake Morley Photography
Personalise the Cardiff wedding ceremony.
I am not sure if you have thought about this but your wedding ceremony is THE most important part of the wedding day. That’s why this point takes the number one spot in my ‘ten ways to make your wedding more memorable’ blog. Make your ceremony personal and meaningful by adding elements that are important to you, your partner and your loved ones. Write your own vows, or incorporate music that has significance to the two of you. Get your family members involved, they can read poems or even sing something that is meaning to you.
Greet Each Guest
It may sound obvious, but it's important to personally greet each and every guest at your wedding. After all, you have asked them to share this important life event with you! I am not talking about the old, dated tradition of lining up and shaking everyone’s hand as the enter the reception room - this actually sounds like my worst nightmare. But once the celebrations are underway do your best to spend time with each person - have a chat over a drink, visiting their table at dinner or unleash your moves with them on the dance floor.
Intimate wedding ceremony florals. Image by Jake Morley Photography.
During the intimate, memorable wedding ceremony with pink florals. Image by Jake Morley Photography
Wedding ceremony flowers. Image Jake Morley Photography
Make Sure Your Guests Are Comfortable
I am not into this new trend for supplying everyone with a throw or a pair of slippers to use after the reception. This is not a sustainable practice or good for the environment. I have written a blog with some ways to make your wedding more sustainable that is a must read, you can find that HERE. When I say ‘comfortable’ I am talking about setting up a lounge area for your guests to relax. Not everyone will want to dance the night away. In fact, some may not want to hit the dance floor at all. Yes, reception tables are an ok place for to chat to friends and family but setting up a designated seating area is a really nice touch. Where the music is quite and there are comfy chairs; add a few candles and flower arrangements to show that you have given this some attention. This will be a detail many guests will love.
Keep Speeches Short
I was at a wedding the other month and on my table was a lovely couple who had married a few months before. When talking about there own wedding they said ‘yes, it was great’ BUT they had 3 best man and each one did a LONG speech, guests were having a little doze! Now speeches are a necessary component of any wedding, (are they really? I am not so sure, but ok, we’ll go with it.) But it's important to ensure they don't drag on for too long. Tell the speaker before! Keep the toasts brief—no more than a few minutes per person—and have your DJ or toastmaster prepared to make tasteful interruptions.
Ask for Song Requests
The best way to get your guests out on the dance floor is to play their jam! You got to play the songs they actually want to hear. Ask for their favourite song with the RSVP so you can give a playlist to the DJ. Watch the dance floor fill up when a crowd favourite comes on.
Bridal bouquet for intimate wedding ceremony. Image by Jake Morley Photography
Pink floral wedding ceremony. Image by Jake Morley Photography
Pink floral wedding details for memorable wedding day. Image by Jake Morley Photography
The stunning bride at intimate wedding ceremony with pink flowers. Image by Jake Morley Photography
Play Wedding Games
When guests need a break from dancing, what's more fun than an interactive game? Options like swing ball, oversize Jenga, even backgammon are fun ways to get your friends and family to interact with each other.
Serve Late-Night Snacks
This could be a few doughnuts, or a build your own biscuit station or a s’mores kit for the outside fire. Depending on what time your celebrations started your guests might be flagging towards the end of the night, especially as couples are extending their parties later and later. About an hour before the reception ends to revive your guests, give them a snack and a cuppa.
Give a Wedding Favour People Will Use
Again, this is something I discuss in my sustainable wedding blog. Trust me, people don't want that personalised magnet of you and your new spouse. If you are going to spend the money on favours please choose something your guests won't leave on the table. A yummy snack like cookies or popcorn, or a treat they can enjoy once back at home like homemade jam are all crowd-pleasers.
Grooms buttonhole detail for intimate wedding. Image by Jake Morley Photography
After the wedding ceremony at intimate wedding. Image by Jake Morley Photography
Pink floral close up, ways to make your wedding more memorable. Image by Jake Morley Photography
Have a Photo Booth/Selfie area
This doesn’t have to be a hired photo booth, you know the ones. Simply set up an area with a few silly props and a disposable or polaroid camera. You could even use a few empty picture frames as a backdrop. One of my couples repurposed their ceremony floral arch with a few chairs and a video camera for their guests to say their well wishes and silly messages. This makes a great alternative to the more traditional guest book and is a lot of fun..
Skip Traditions
This is extremely important. Just because it’s tradition you don’t have to do it. Do you know where some of these traditions come from!?! If you don't want to be ‘given away’ , don’t. You want to walk down the aisle together - do it. You don’t want to toss the bouquet, don’t. I could go on. Basically if you just can't imagine partaking in one of these traditions, don't do it—after all, it's your wedding and that’s how to make your wedding more memorable.
Make a Memorable Exit
No one wants your wedding night to end, but since it has to, go out on a high note. Do a fun and festive farewell - a sparkler exit or a confetti send-off. Your guests will love it, and it will make for some amazing photos.
Wedding reception florals at Thomas by Tom Simmons. Image by Jake Morley Photography
Pink florals for wedding reception at Thomas by Tom Simmons. Image by Jake Morley Photography
Memorable wedding florals for intimate wedding at Thomas by Tom Simmons. Image by Jake Morley Photography
The memorable Cardiff wedding of India and Aidan
India and Aidan were married last year and their wedding was truly one to remember.
Having done the legal bit at Cardiff registry office the day before they gathered some of their closest friends and family in the family home to hold a handfasting ceremony. As you can see the flowers were something they were passionate about and I had the honour of creating this wonderful, bold, landscape of flowers in various pink shades. The flowers were then relocated at Thomas by Tom Simmons for the intimate reception dinner.
The bridal bouquet was a simple posy of soft pink antirrhinums, a contrast to the striking colours of the ceremony florals. Aidan’s buttonhole matched the bouquet.
They drank champagne after the ceremony and walked to the local park for group shots before taxi’s took them to their reception where the flowers were waiting.
Nothing about their wedding day was formal. A true example of how your wedding day is unique to you.
Memorable wedding flower details. Image by Jake Morley Photography
The memorable intimate ceremony flowers. Image by Jake Morley Photography
These are the kind words they left me.
“Anne-Marie was really lovely to work with and did a fantastic job in bringing our venue to life with her wonderful arrangements. She was a really good communicator and gave us some great ideas along the way. Was brilliant on the day too and helped everything go smoothly and stress free!”
What do you think? Have you found these ten ways to make your Cardiff wedding more memorable helpful? What is your favourite? Do you think you might implement some of them?
What do you think of this truly, beautiful, memorable wedding day of India and Aidan?
Thank you for the beautiful photos from Jake Morley Photography I found it hard to choose which ones to use, that’s why there are so many.
If you like what you see and would like to discuss your wedding flowers please GET IN TOUCH!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Anne-Marie the face of Petal Power
Hi! I'm Anne-Marie, Petal Power is me!
I run my weddings and event floristry business out of my studio in Creigiau, Cardiff, South Wales.
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