NOTES ON A WEDDING

Plan a so-you celebration with these top tips from the wedding gurus. This issue, we look at ideas for throwing an unforgettable party

The 2 Lisas

DKS Studios

Create a mesmerising atmosphere with a fire perfomer at sunset Wow your guests with aerial artists such as The 2 Lisas

Sharpham Cheese Delight your guests with a cheese cake from Sharpham Cheese Kathryn Clarke-Mcleod

A live saxophonist guarantees to bring the party Clare Kinchin Photography

Fuel the late night festivities with a doughnut wall

Verity Westcott Photography

Book a photo booth to capture the revelry The Buffalo

Get the party started with colourful cocktails from The Buffalo

Noah Werth Photography

Book roaming performers, such as a mariachi band The 2 Lisas Tropicalia

Toby Lowe Photography

Bring the carnival to your party with professional dancers

Emma Solley Photography

Style your snack stations with bright colours and tasty flavours

Get the party started. Surprise your guests with a fun element that instantly gets them in the party mood: it might be an alternative form of entertainment, a fire performance, saxophonist and club DJ set, mariachi band or a choreographed first dance. Hazel

Style it up. Add some additional party pieces – such as glitter balls or coloured tasselled garlands – to transform your space for the evening. Rebecca Let there be light. Lighting is key to creating a party atmosphere: it might be lots of festoon and fairy lights, candles, uplighters or gobos, which add a cool vibe and can even be personalised. I love a neon light but choose something that reflects you as a couple rather than anything too clichéd. Rebecca

Let’s go crazy! Originating from Latin culture and translating as ‘crazy hour’, La Hora Loca is a surefire way to lift the atmosphere of your party. Usually timed around mid to late evening when guests might be flagging, a carnival of professional dancers arrives, together with fun props like glasses and feather boas for guests, to get everyone fired up for more fun and dancing. Jessica High spirits. Serve some cool cocktails to get the party started – the more colourful and dramatic the better! You could opt for dry ice, signature cocktails or guests could even make their own, under the guidance of a mixologist of course! Rebecca

Here comes the fun. Plan pop-up activity areas throughout your venue from a creative photo booth and flowing drink stations to glitter stations and grazing tables. Hazel

Snack attack. Provide coolly styled snack areas such as hanging crisp walls, oversized doughnut walls and popcorn and sweet bars that can be grabbed and enjoyed whilst dancing the night away. Rebecca

Happy people. Consider your guests needs so they can relax and enjoy the party. If you have lots of young children attending, consider hiring a childcare service. If your guests love to dance, ensure you have a sizeable area for dancing. Create chill-out lounges as well as outside seating and areas for guests to mingle. Hazel Light up the night. Bring your venue to life at night with projection mapping, where a pattern or video is projected onto the side of the venue and other surrounding areas, to create an amazing feature for your guests. Jessica Late night munchies. Your guests will be ready for food again in the evening so serve rounds of delicious, crowd-pleasing food that can be hand-held around 8.30pm or 9pm. Hazel Sax to the max. If you don’t want a band, consider hiring a DJ with a live element such as a saxophonist or live percussionist, which is great for creating an Ibiza vibe. Jessica

Snap happy. Capture those memorable moments with a photo booth. Opt for a 360-degree booth that takes a photo and mini gif video as it spins around you, creating an animated shot that can be uploaded straight to Instagram or instantly emailed to you guests. Place it near the bar or dancefloor for maximum fun! Jessica

Go out with a bang. Surprise your guests with a showstopping fireworks display. You could really push the boat out and hire a string quartet to perform in time to the fireworks.

Jessica

Hazel Parsons, Out of the Ordinary Weddings outoftheordinaryweddings.com Jessica Kearney, Ardour & Bow Weddings & Events ardourandbow.co.uk

Rebecca Green, Rebel & Anchor rebelandanchor.co.uk