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Use These Tips to Narrow Down the Wedding Guest List

February 8, 2018 | Junebug Weddings

photo by Jonnie + Garrett Wedding Photographers

Choosing your wedding size and creating a wedding guest list with or without a wedding guest template can be one of the most stressful parts of planning. There are many factors to consider like your and your fiancé’s vision, your families’ expectations, and your friends’ feelings. It seems impossible to please everyone—because it is! After creating an all-inclusive list it’s time to do the dirty work: narrow down the wedding guest list.

Unless you have an unlimited budget and unlimited resources you will never please everyone. When all is said and done, your guests will affect how you and your fiancé feel on your wedding day and be part of your precious memories forever. Since it’s much easier to stay firm in your decisions when you have a plan in place, here are some tips to help you narrow down that your wedding guest list.

photo by Shadi Garman Photography

Pick a Venue That Aligns with Your Vision and Your Budget

Vision and budget are arguably the two most important pieces of the wedding planning puzzle. Once those connect, everything else can begin to fall into place around them—including your guest list. If visions of a cozy ceremony in a greenhouse and a dinner-party style reception at a local restaurant fill your wedding mood board there will be a natural cap for your guest list.

Even if your dream venue can accommodate hundreds of people, a more intimate gathering might be all you’re looking for. In this case, book the venue and set a cap yourselves. This is your special day and you want to get married somewhere that is meaningful that captivates you. Don’t let an inflated guest list, of all things, dictate where!

Divide and Narrow Down the Wedding Guest List by Tiered Categories

Trying to cut people from one long list can be both intimidating and down-right uncomfortable. One way to make the process easier is to divide everyone into categories: immediate family, close relatives, extended relatives, close friends, family friends, coworkers, acquaintances, children, and so on. Then rank those categories in order of importance and start cutting from the bottom.

There may be potential guests that fit into two different categories, such as a close coworker that consider a friend. We recommend putting people in the highest category you feel comfortable with. Using this divide-and-cut method allows you to cut more people at once while also decreasing the risk of hurting anyone’s feelings once they realize they were not singled out.

Consider the Present and the Future

Keep from looking back at wedding photos and wondering, “who is that?” by only inviting people known to both you and your fiancé. A wedding day is not the time for introductions—couples divide their time and need to find ways to stay present as it is. While taking personal relationships into account, also identify people you haven’t talked to in the last year or people you don’t see yourself keeping in touch with 5 years from now. This will help focus the guest list on the people who mean the most now and who likely will in the future.

photo by Leeann Funk Photography

Allocate a Percentage of Invites for Your Parents’ Friends

It seems to go against the last tip, we know. One of the hardest issues to navigate when creating the guest list is dealing with parents’ expectations. Keeping both families happy and sticking to a vision is easier said than done. There are a few ways to handle this split, and the conversation. If you are paying for the wedding yourselves, up to 20% of the invites can be allocated to your parents.

Parents Who Pay Should Get a Percentage of Invites

If parents are helping pay for the wedding, a fair split could be 50% for you and your fiancé and 50% for your parents combined—whether that means 25% and 25% for either set of parents, or a smaller percentage for multiple sets of parents. If one parent is paying for the majority of—or the entire—wedding, they might get a larger percentage. However you decide to split it, make sure not to give up more than 50% of the guest list. Your guests are the top priority.

Limit or Eliminate the “Plus One” Option

This is one of the easiest ways to cut a guest list almost in half. Either make plus ones exclusive for the wedding party and immediate family or make a general “no plus ones” rule for everyone. It should be enough to address your invitations to just the people who are invited. For example, “Mrs. Jane Smith and Guest” vs “Mrs. Jane Smith.”

Guests may assume a plus one is included. If you receive an RSVP with a plus one that wasn’t offered simply call your guest—yes, call don’t text or email—and be honest about your decision. When it comes time to create your reception seating chart, consider putting single friends together so don’t feel left out of the couple crowd.

photo by Victoria Gold Photography

Make it Adults-Only

Adults-only weddings will never go out of style, especially if budget or venue constraints mean choosing between inviting friends or inviting children. While it would be great to invite everyone’s families, often it’s not realistic. If you decide to have an adults-only wedding, make it clear on the invitation and on your wedding website so there’s no confusion. If there are too many children in your circle for an adult-only wedding, consider hiring a babysitting service to take care of the children at the venue so they are nearby but don’t require an extra seat.

Stagger the Invites

If all else fails and the guest list isn’t quite down to the number you set, be sure to send invitations in waves. Break up the final list into two groups: people who must attend and people who would be missed. Send invitations to the first group 5-6 months before the wedding. As you begin to get RSVPs, send out invitations to the next group of guests in an agreed-upon order. Make sure you give the second wave of guests enough time to RSVP and make travel plans. Make sure all the invitations sent no later than 8 weeks out.

Turning folks away from your joyous day will never be fun, there’s no getting around it. We hope these tips helped cut through some of the noise and made those tough decisions a little easier. Once you’re able to narrow down the wedding guest list the next step is invitations. Luckily, our vendor list includes the world’s best custom wedding invitations. Check them out, you’ll be glad you did.

 

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Never Feel Guilty About Your Wedding Guest List

April 13, 2017 | riley

Image by Sophia Veres. See more of this real wedding here. Read on about your wedding guest list

Your wedding day should be 100% about you–and we’re not just saying that. We truly believe it. However, we know the challenges you may be up against when planning a day that doesn’t cater to other people’s opinions. One aspect of your planning that can be especially uncomfortable to maneuver is your wedding guest list.

Whether you’re inviting two to 200 of your closest friends, there are bound to be hurt feelings over who makes the cut and who doesn’t. Despite the unfortunate sad/frustrated feelings you may encounter if you’re confronted by someone who didn’t make your official headcount, we’re here to let you in on a little secret–you never have to feel guilty about your guest list.

Why You Don’t Need To Feel Guilty About Your Wedding Guest List

Image by Stephanie Nachtrab. See more of this real wedding here

Your Venue Accommodations

So you’ve found the perfect venue, only to find out that it only accommodates 100 people. Without even sitting down to start a list of friends and family to invite, you now have a set number you need to work within. This can feel like both a blessing and a curse.

You may have to make cuts to your list that you’d rather not, but you also have a built-in excuse should anyone question why they didn’t receive an invite. You simply can’t put more people in the venue than it allows. If someone gives you a hard time about this, you can tell them that it’s technically out of your hands.

Image by Heather K Purdy. See more of this elopement here

Your Wedding Budget

Your wedding budget is one of the most obvious reasons why you shouldn’t feel guilty about your guest list. It’s also one of the most reasonable. No one expects you to have a disposable income when it comes to planning your wedding, and it’s generally understood that throwing a wedding is quite an expensive ordeal.

From the meal they are served to the chair they sit in, each guest–logistically–comes with a price tag. There are people in your life for whom you are happy to pay that price. For others, you may not be so willing. And there is absolutely nothing wrong with that.

Image by Paola Lattarini. See more of this elopement here

Your Wedding Day Timeline

When you’re building your wedding guest list, we recommend taking a moment to envision yourself celebrating your day with each and every guest as you add them to your spreadsheet. However, if you have a larger wedding, your wedding day timeline may not give you the time to say hello to all your guests–much less spend more than a few moments with them. So although it may be surprising, choosing your wedding size and your wedding day timeline go hand in hand.

If sharing moments with every one of your guests is a priority for you, you may want to keep your list smaller. If you’re happy to have more people present who will participate in your day, possibly without one-on-one time together, then you have the ability to increase your headcount. It’s all about fulfilling your expectations, not theirs.

Image by Rowanberry Lavender. See more of this real wedding here

Your Vision of Your Day

Speaking of your expectations, the bottom line is that your guest list is all about your vision of your day. How big or small your wedding is and who’s there should always be up to you. Whether your future mother-in-law has her own list of people she wants to invite or you promised your college friends that they would be invited years ago, at the end of the day, this is about you. It’s about who you will look out to see in the audience when you’re speaking your vows, who you’ll hug and dance with at your reception, who you’ll look back and see photos of when flipping through the album of your day. Every aspect of your wedding should be about your vision, not someone else’s.

To make putting together your wedding guest list a piece of cake, we’ve put together a free wedding guest list spreadsheet with everything you need to keep track of along the way.

Image by Brittany Loeffelholz. See more of this real wedding here

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Creative Wedding Guest Books

August 27, 2014 | lexi

Don’t like the thought of your wedding guest book gathering dust over the years? Try something less traditional and more personal by creating a guest book worthy of displaying in your home or somehow using in the future. We hope you can gather some inspiration from these alternatives to the run-of-the-mill guest book.

texas

Magan Blasig of Urban Grey Photography

Try using something that you could turn into a piece of art, such as a crafty wall piece, like this Texas shaped hardwood wall art above. Have guests sign their well wishes, and showcase your favorite state and guest book in your home. You’ll have a great memory hanging on your wall for years to come!

jenga

Photo by L Hewitt Photography

Love playing games? Turn your favorite game into your guest book and all future games will bring back fun memories of your wedding day. Jenga is the perfect game for this, as the wood blocks are long lasting and just the right size for a congratulatory note!

GUESTBOOK

Photo by Kate Miller Photography

Have guests leave a visual signature by incorporating some sort of photo guest book. You’re more likely to keep these photos than a few pages of signatures. Remember, a photo is worth more than 1,000 words, anyways!

champaigne

Photo by Freixenet

Find a fun bottle or your favorite drink and have guests sign their well wishes to you. On your anniversary, you can drink up and reminisce as you read over your guests’ words of wisdom, congratulations, and humorous anecdotes.

leafprint

Photo by Nine Photography 

Have guests leave their mark with a fingerprint and each signature will truly be unique. The overall effect is artistic and creative. You can also use your fingerprint guest book as a wall piece for your home.

We hope you found some inspiration in these creative wedding guest books. Just remember to keep it personal and useful!

 

xoxo

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Modern Wedding Guest Books Alternatives

October 11, 2010 | editorial team

alternative wedding guest books with recipe cards by Cut the Cake Designs

If you’re looking for an alternative guest book idea for your wedding, take a look at these fun recipe card and Rolodex style guest books from Cut the Cake Designs on Etsy! Great for weddings or wedding showers, some designs come with invitations that double as recipe cards so your guests can leave you with instructions to make one of their favorite tasty treats. Others contain simple address cards to record everyone’s contact information (helpful for all those thank you notes!) and they leave room for sweet words of advice and encouragement. Fun! What kind of guest book are you picturing for your wedding day?

alternative wedding guest books with recipe cards by Cut the Cake Designs

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Creative Wedding Backdrop Ideas That’ll Wow Your Guests

January 22, 2025 | kailey

Image by Paloma Cruz Eventos. Keep scrolling for wedding backdrop ideas

From hand-written vows to jaw-dropping decor, there are many ways to infuse your wedding ceremony with personality. Incorporating unique details that authentically represent your love will help celebrate your story on an even deeper level. Not to mention it will make the big day that much more memorable. It is your big day, after all.

If you’re tired of seeing the same ceremony backdrop inspiration while scrolling through Pinterest, and you’re looking for something a little different, we’re here to help. To kickstart your creative wedding planning process, we’re rounding up unique wedding backdrop ideas that’ll set your wedding apart and wow your guests!

Creative Wedding Backdrop Ideas

1. Fringe Streamers 

Spice up your ceremony with show-stopping fringe streamers. Whether you pick vibrant colors or stick with neutrals, this underrated decor option is sure to add a showstopping effect to your ceremony. The best part is that you can DIY this wedding decor to save money or you can hire an industry pro to make and install them for you.

2. Drapery

Geometric Arch 

We don’t foresee the arch going anywhere anytime soon, but if you want a unique spin on the trend, try out this geometric version. It frames you while you say your vows, while also giving your guests something visually appealing to look at. And the best part? If you’re looking to save money, you can DIY this one.

Image by Native Birds. See more of this real wedding here

3. Asymmetrical Florals

While a floral backdrop may not be anything new in the wedding world, you can take it up a notch by creating a ceiling of asymmetrical flowers above of your head during the ceremony. And, no matter what theme you end up going with for your big day, there are flowers to match (for every color palette, too).

Image by Caitlin Steuben. See more of this real wedding here

4. Color-Block Wood Art

Trade the infamous wooden arch for a modern, color-blocking wood backdrop installation. Adding a little bit of color-block magic to your big day will make for dreamy photos and this backdrop can be repurposed to decorate your reception space. Your eye-catching ceremony piece would also make for the perfect sweetheart table backdrop. 

As a bonus, when your wedding day is long gone it can double as a wedding keepsake like a cool headboard or a unique art piece. 

Image by Golden Vibes Photo. See more of this inspiration here.

5. Banner of Words

If you’re like most couples, you probably have your song or maybe a special quote that represents your love story. Something so meaningful should be beautifully displayed behind you as you vow your endless love to one another. It’s another way to personalize your celebration and articulate your feelings on your big day.

Image by Silvia Poropat. See more of this real wedding here.

6. A Wall Of Candles 

Filling the space with candles will bring a glow to your ceremony that artificial light just couldn’t. Adding an intimate, romantic, and glamorous feel to any celebration no matter the wedding size, venue location, or theme. Candles may seem simple but—when done the right way—they make an unforgettable statement. 

Image by Scarlet O’Neill. See more of this real wedding here.

7. Vintage Room Divider

Calling all thrifters! A vintage room divider is the perfect, ready-made ceremony backdrop of your dreams. Add a touch of dried floral to spice up the look, maybe a little paint, and voila! This is especially easy if you already have a room divider at home, which is a budget-friendly move.

Image by MLE Pictures.

8. Large Velvet Heart 

Out of all the ceremony backdrops, we guarantee a large velvet heart is one of the most out-of-the-box options you’ve seen. It’s perfect for fun-filled, retro weddings and is sure to wow you and your guests. 

Plus, we can’t think of a better way to represent two hearts becoming one during your vow readings. 

Image by Reagan Aleea. See more of this real wedding here.

9. Hand-Painted Canvas

If you’re a painter or know an artist, we love the idea of having something custom painted for your ceremony backdrop. This is the perfect way to incorporate loved ones during the wedding planning process. It’s also an incredible DIY project and budget-friendly option. 

Not only will it feel incredibly personal, but it’s also another item you can keep forever and re-use even after your special day is over.

Image by Zach&Rosalie.

10. Neon Sign 

Brighten up your ceremony with a custom neon sign backdrop—a popular wedding trend that’s taken center state for fun-loving couples. You can use a catchy saying like “better together” or even display your last name. The best part about neon signs is that you can reuse them as fun decor in your home—what a fun wedding keepsake. 

Image by Gaby Deimeke Photography. See more of this inspiration here.

Recommended reading: Unique And Personalized Neon Signs From Sculpt

11. Vintage Doors 

Love is an open door—literally. Exchanging “I do’s” in front of vintage doors is a stylish and symbolic way to kick off your marriage. You’re opening the door to your new life together and this rustic decor option is the perfect representation of that. 

Image by Heather Jackson. See more of this real wedding here.  

12. Pom-Poms

We bet you never thought you’d see pom-poms on this list, did you? We didn’t either until we saw it come together beautifully in real life. Now we can’t get enough. It’s the perfect way to add some playfulness to your ceremony and bring in a pop of color. 

Image by Alex Mabrey. See more of this real wedding here

13. Classic Floral Arch 

Fer De Jesus + Bougainvillea Weddings + Terraza Trinitate + Amour Films + Papier + Itza Marquez + Taft + The Tie Bar  + Casa San Jose

14. Circle Arch with Flowers 

15. Tropical Rectangular Arch 

16. Broken Arch

17. Asymmetrical Floral Pillars 

17. Floral Columns

18. Hanging Floral Installations 

You don’t have to have a large wedding to incorporate these picture-perfect wedding backdrop ideas. Glamorous smaller weddings—like micro weddings and elopements—are proof that sometimes less is more. If you’re dreaming of an intimate celebration without having to sacrifice show-stopping decor, check out our guide for decorating your elopement. 

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This Old Hollywood-Inspired Casa de Monte Vista Wedding Took Guests Back in Time

August 4, 2024 | justine

Melissa and Joel envisioned their guests being transported to another era, capturing Palm Springs’ timeless elegance and lively spirit. Infusing the celebration with vibrant colors and carefully chosen designs, they curated an event filled with energy and charm. Thanks to their meticulous planning, every detail of their Casa de Monte Vista wedding reflected their Spanish and Old Hollywood inspirations. They not only achieved their vision but surpassed it, creating a day brimming with beauty and nostalgia.

Surrounded by majestic mountain views and swaying palm trees, their garden ceremony unfolded in natural beauty. Adorned with colorful floral pillars at the altar, the setting was simply stunning. At the poolside reception that followed, guests were welcomed by tables adorned with bold pink and red arrangements, taper candles, and elegant gold settings. 

Melissa’s wedding dress–featuring unique intricate floral patterns–and Joel’s classic tuxedo complemented the scene perfectly, adding the ideal finishing touches to their unforgettable day. On top of the breathtaking fashion that belongs in a magazine, Madison Maltby Photo beautifully captured every detail that’s sure to inspire your own wedding. This celebration is brimming with ideas you can incorporate into your big day.

The Couple:

Melissa and Joel

The Wedding:

Casa de Monte Vista, Palm Springs, California, United States

A Magical First Look Amidst Garden Splendor

Our best moment at the wedding was definitely when we had our first look. We had been looking forward to it all day while getting ready with our friends, surrounded by beautiful gardens and old Hollywood-style buildings. When Joel saw the dress for the first time, he was so amazed that he couldn’t say anything. The setting, with all the blooming trees and flowers, made it even more magical and unforgettable. We feel fortunate to have shared that special moment together.

Practical Wedding Advice from the Couple

For couples starting to plan their wedding, dare to be bold in your design choices. Let your personalities shine through every detail. Share the tasks equally, as working together makes the journey more fulfilling. Embrace DIY projects—they add a personal touch. Remember, your wedding should reflect your love story, not feel like a chore. Take risks and create something truly extraordinary together.

 

Celebrating Personal Style at Their Casa de Monte Vista Wedding

We’re really proud of how our artistic and detail-oriented personalities influenced our wedding design and fashion choices. It was incredibly fulfilling to see Palm Springs’ historic charm and botanical beauty brought to life through our theme, with a modern twist in our wardrobe. Our hands-on approach to DIY projects lets us add personal touches that showcase our style. Working together to realize our vision gave us a deep sense of ownership for the day. Lastly, seeing our diverse friend groups—Green Berets and Professional Cheerleaders—come together in joy and love created a truly magical atmosphere.

Why They Chose Casa de Monte Vista

We picked Casa de Monte Vista Estate in Palm Springs, for our wedding venue because its romantic, modern Spanish style instantly transported us to a Mediterranean paradise the moment we walked through the arched doorway. The lush gardens, beautiful architecture, and enchanting ambiance perfectly matched our vision for a one-of-a-kind, intimate, and unforgettable celebration.

On-Theme Wedding Attire and After-Party Style

On our wedding day, I wore the Cora wedding dress from Rue De Seine, which captured my vision of romantic Spanish style with a touch of Palm Springs flair. Inspired by vintage lace romance and 1970s elegance, the dress featured intricate floral patterns and a flowing silhouette that made me feel effortlessly beautiful. I styled my hair in a romantic up-do inspired by Pamela Anderson and opted for soft glam makeup to match the vibe of my special day. My groom looked perfect alongside me in a deep green tuxedo jacket paired with slim black tuxedo pants. For the after-party, my second dress by Helsi continued the floral theme with applique details and sequins. I added a playful touch with rhinestone floral shoes by Azalea Wang to kick off the festivities. The groom complemented this look with a white tuxedo jacket, seamlessly embracing the old Hollywood Palm Springs vibe.

Adding Personal Flair to Their Casa de Monte Vista Wedding Through DIY Touches

We added a personal and creative touch to our wedding with several DIY elements. One highlight was our flower seating chart wall adorned with the phrase “Everything’s Better in Palm Springs,” wallpapered in marigold and decorated with flower-filled boxes. We also crafted a flower box welcome sign used at both our welcome party and wedding entrance. For a playful touch that nodded to our last name “Swenson” and the movie “Dumb and Dumber,” we created personalized cocktail napkins with the quote, “Starts with an S! Swim, Swami, Slippy, Slappy, Swimmon, Sammon, Simmon, Swans, Swenson?” Additionally, we designed the menus for our family-style dinner. These DIY projects made our celebration unique and unforgettable.

Latin-Inspired Food to Match Their Spanish Venue

Our Latin-themed, family-style catered wedding featured vibrant and delicious dishes served on tables lit with romantic candlelight. The menu included a refreshing Pepita Caesar Salad and zesty Cilantro Lime Slaw, followed by mouth-watering Jalisco Style Churrasco, Calabasitas, and savory Chicken Poblano. Guests’ favorite sides included Frijoles and Street Corn, perfectly complemented by Salsa and Chips, creating a cozy dining experience. For dessert, churro donuts and homemade vanilla bean ice cream topped off the amazing meal. The food, crafted by Adriana Cocina, a woman-owned, family-run business from Temecula, California, added a personal and heartfelt touch to our celebration.

The Wedding Team:

Photography – Madison Maltby Photo
Event Planning – Melissa Horn
Venue – Casa de Monte Vista
Floral Design – Suede Petals
Catering – Adriana’s Cocina
Cake – Postres July
DJ – DJ Reza
Invitation Design – Minted
Makeup Artist – Aileen Bowser
Hair Styling – Julianna Jaime
Wedding Dress – Rue De Seine
After Party Dress – Helsi
Bridal Accessories – Badgley Mischka
Bridesmaid Apparel – Azazie
Groom’s Apparel – The Tuxedo Club
Groomsmen’s Apparel – The Black Tux
Rings – Brillant Earth
Rentals – BBJ La Tavola Linen Rentals
Audio Guest Book – After The Tone

 

Congratulations to Melissa and Joel on their Old Hollywood-inspired Casa de Monte Vista wedding. Big thanks to Madison Maltby Photo for beautifully capturing all the special moments that this couple can happily look back on.

 

If you’re ready to shake things up and host a unique celebration, explore our guide for fresh inspiration. Whether you’re drawn to retro vibes or have a completely different vision in mind, we’ve got you covered with tips and ideas to make your special day truly unforgettable.

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29 Etsy Wedding Welcome Signs That Will Help You Greet Your Guests in Style

April 8, 2024 | Junebug Weddings

Your wedding day is a celebration of love, and there’s no better way to set the tone than with a beautiful welcome sign. This small yet important decor detail not only greets your guests but also reflects your unique style and the theme of your big day. From elegant calligraphy to rustic wooden options to themed designs perfect for everything from a garden celebration to 70s-inspired nuptials, we’re rounding up Etsy wedding welcome signs that will help you create an inviting atmosphere right from the start.

Elegant Wedding Welcome Signs

Fabric Welcome Sign

Acrylic Welcome Sign

Hand Drawn Welcome Sign

Elegant Modern Welcome Sign

Acrylic Mirror Welcome Sign

Simple Welcome Signs

Welcome to the Wedding Sign

Calligraphy Welcome Sign

Wedding Welcome Arch Sign

White Acrylic Wedding Arch

Flower Box Welcome Sign

Heart Welcome to Our Wedding Sign

Colorful Welcome Sign

Monogram Welcome Sign Template

Modern Wedding Sign

Themed Wedding Welcome Signs

Wildflowers Wedding Sign

Western Welcome Sign

Italian French Hand Drawn Welcome Sign

Wavy Retro Acrylic Welcome Sign

Disco Welcome Sign

Dating App Retro Sign

Tropical Welcome Sign

Rustic Welcome Signs

Wooden Welcome Sign

Wedding Flower Box Welcome Sign

Script Acrylic Welcome Sign

Wood Welcome Sign

These wedding welcome signs are just the beginning of all of the wedding signage you’re going to want to include on your big day. To make sure you have everything you need on your big day, check out these seven wedding signs that will bring all of your decor together in one cohesive and beautiful celebration!

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These Wedding Reception Songs are Guaranteed to Get Your Guests on the Dance Floor

January 21, 2023 | riley

Most couples want to host a fun wedding. Of course, you want the cake to be delicious and your florals to be amazing, too. But when it comes to your big day, it’s also a unique time to show off your dance moves with the help of a professional. After toasts are done and dinner has been served, it’s time to open up the dance floor with amazing wedding reception songs. Thankfully, you don’t have to go at it alone—as long as you’ve already hired a professional wedding DJ.

When discussing your wedding reception playlist with your DJ, make sure to include a mix of songs that you like. Cover various genres, tempos, and eras to encourage people to shake their tail feathers. We mean it. You should include something for all your guests. That’s why we recommend including a section on your RSVP cards where guests can request their favorite songs be added to your playlist. Ready to get dancing? Then keep scrolling to see some of our favorite wedding reception songs!

Wedding Reception Classics

These are classic wedding reception songs. Folks will know how to dance to them, you won’t risk offending your new in-laws, and these are sure to inspire some singing on the dance floor. Throw a few of these into your mix, and even your great-grandmother will get up to show off her moves.

Mambo No. 5 — Lou Bega

Shout, Pts. 1 & 2 — The Isley Brothers

We Are Family — Sister Sledge

Don’t Stop Believin’ — Journey

My Girl — The Temptations

Signed, Sealed, Delivered — Stevie Wonder

I Want You Back — Jackson 5

Play That Funky Music — Wild Cherry

Boogie Shoes — KC & The Sunshine Band

September — Earth, Wind & Fire

Sweet Caroline — Neil Diamond

Dancing in the Moonlight — King Harvest

Love Shack — The B-52’s

Stayin’ Alive — Bee Gees

Respect — Aretha Franklin

Build Me Up Buttercup — The Foundations

(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life — Bill Medley, Jennifer Warnes

Do You Love Me — The Contours

Walking on Sunshine — Katrina & The Waves

Hot Stuff — Donna Summer

Image by Lauren Apel

Country Dance Floor Music

If you’re not personally into country music, that’s okay. These carefully selected country songs are crowd-pleasers and many of them have built-in dance moves. Throw a few of them in and watch your dance floor expand.

Tennessee Whiskey — Chris Stapleton

Honey Bee — Blake Shelton

Country Girl (Shake It For Me) — Luke Bryan

You Belong  With Me — Taylor Swift

Wagon Wheel — Darius Rucker 

Boot Scootin’ Boogie — Brooks & Dunn

Man! I Feel Like a Woman — Shania Twain

Footloose — Kenny Loggins

Meant to Be — Bebe Rexha, Florida Georgia Line

Butterflies — Kasey Musgraves

Why Don’t We Just Dance — Josh Turner

Drink In My Hand – Eric Church

Cruise – Florida Georgia Line

Image by Nicole Nero

R&B Wedding Reception Songs

R&B music is perfect for your wedding reception. Some of these have different tempos that will keep some of your guests dancing and allow some of your guests to take a quick break to hit your reception bar. 

Down – Jay Sean

Blinding Lights – The Weeknd

I Wanna Dance With Somebody – Whitney Houston

Good Feeling — Flo Rida

My House – Flo Rida

Family Affair — Mary J Blige

Ain’t No Mountain High Enough — Marvin Gaye

The Business — Tiësto

24K Magic — Bruno Mars

Love on Top — Beyonce

Yeah! — Usher, Lil Jon, Ludacris

I Feel Good — James Brown

Forever — Chris Brown

Celebration — Kool & The Gang

No One — Alicia Keys

Want to Want Me — Jason Derulo

Nothing Can Come Between Us — Sade

Jumpin’, Jumpin — Destiny’s Child

This Is How We Do It — Montell Jordan

Mi Gente — J Balvin, Willy William

Better Now — Post Malone

How Will I Know — Whitney Houston

Rhythm Is A Dancer — SNAP!

We Found Love — Rihanna, Calvin Harris

Crazy In Love — Beyonce

If I Ain’t Got You – Alicia Keys

You’re The First, The Last, My Everything — Barry White

Get It Shawty — Lloyd

Because of You — Ne-Yo

Aint Nobody — Chaka Khan

Best Part – Daniel Caesar, H.E.R.

Hip-Hop Reception Music

There’s no getting around it, hip hop songs are a surefire to get your guests dancing. Whether it’s Missy Elliot encouraging your guests to lose control on the dance floor or Lizzo announcing the results of her DNA tests, hip-hop wedding reception songs are some of the most fun.

I Like It – Cardi B

My Chick Bad – Ludacris

In Da Club – 50 Cent

Swimming Pools (Drank) – Kendrick Lamar

Pursuit Of Happiness (Steve Aoki Remix) – Kid Cudi

It Takes Two — Rob Base & DJ EZ Roc

Gettin’ Jiggy Wit It — Will Smith

Push It — Salt-N-Pepa

Bust a Move — Young MC

Boom — Tiësto, Sevenn, Gucci Mane

Hey Ya! — Outkast

The Way I Are — Timbaland

Me Porto Bonito — Bad Bunny

Cyclone — Baby Bash, T-Pain

Taki Taki — DJ Snake

Truth Hurts — Lizzo

Jump Around — House of Pain

Kiss Me More — Doja Cat

What’s Luv? — Fat Joe

Lose Control — Missy Elliot

Don’t Stop The Music — Rihanna

Cha Cha Slide — DJ Casper

Gonna Make You Sweat — C & C Music Factory

Do It — Chloe x Halle

It’s Tricky — Run DMC

Hold On, We’re Going Home — Drake

Hypnotize — Notorious BIG

Mayores — Becky G, Bad Bunny

That’s What I Like — Bruno Mars

Pump Up The Jam — Technotronic

Image by Brooke Taelor

Rock + Alternative Reception Music

Don’t forget about your rock and alternative loving friends when it comes to wedding music. Sure, they might not be confident in all of their dance moves, but they’ll get on the dance floor for songs they know. These songs will offer a fun mix to change up the mood and keep everyone dancing–even those who claim they hate dancing.

Bohemian Rhapsody – Queen

Brown Eyed Girl — Van Morrison

Take On Me — A-Ha

Livin’ On A Prayer — Bon Jovi

Should I Stay or Should I Go — The Clash

You Shook Me All Night Long — AC/DC

Dancing in the Dark — Bruce Springsteen

All the Small Things — Blink 182

Sugar, We’re Goin Down — Fall Out Boy

Summer of ’69 — Bryan Adams

I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) — The Proclaimers

Mr. Brightside — The Killers

Sweet Home Alabama — Lynyrd Skynyrd

Dog Days Are Over — Florence + The Machine

Come On Eileen — Dexy’s Midnight Runners

Best Day of My Life — American Authors

Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go — WHAM!

Shut Up And Dance — Walk the Moon

You Make My Dreams – Hall & Oates

Image by Its All About

Pop + Dance Reception Tunes

Just like Cyndi Lauper suggests, wedding guests just wanna have fun. Light-hearted pop hits from multiple eras are the key to success for your wedding reception songs. Don’t just turn on Top 40 to get inspired—those aren’t necessarily good dancing songs. Use this list instead.

Shivers – Ed Sheeran

Get Lucky — Daft Punk, Pharrell Williams, Nile Rodgers

Can’t Stop The Feeling! – Justin Timberlake

Electric Love (Oliver Remix) – BØRNS

Stay – Justin Bieber, The Kid LAROI

The Middle – Zedd, Maren Morris

Give Me Everything – Pitbull, Ne-Yo

Roses – The Chainsmokers

Beautiful Now – Zedd, Jon Bellion

Don’t Start Now — Dua Lipa

Levitating — Dua Lipa

Girls Just Want to Have Fun — Cyndi Lauper

Heat Waves (Oliver Heldens Remix) – Glass Animals

Clarity — Zedd 

Shake It Off — Taylor Swift

I Gotta Feeling — Black Eyed Peas

Despacito — Luis Fonsi ft. Daddy Yankee

As It Was — Harry Styles

When Love Takes Over — David Guetta

I Love It — Icona Pop

Vivir Mi Vida — Marc Anthony

We Can’t Stop — Miley Cyrus

Party In The U.S.A. – Miley Cyrus

Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough — Michael Jackson

Toxic — Britney Spears

Since U Been Gone — Kelly Clarkson

Uptown Funk — Mark Ronson & Bruno Mars

Suavemente — Elvis Crespo

Wannabe — Spice Girls

Let’s Go Crazy — Prince

Higher Love – Kygo, Whitney Houston

Dancing On My Own — Robyn

Livin’ La Vida Loca — Ricky Martin

Everybody — The Backstreet Boys

Turn Down For What – DJ Snake, Lil Jon

Bye, Bye, Bye — *NSYNC

Single Ladies — Beyonce

Danza Kuduro — Don Omar

SexyBack — Justin Timberlake

One More Time — Daft Punk

Dancing Queen — ABBA

Slow Songs To Dance To

Slow songs are important for your dance floor. Don’t sleep on them and make sure that you include a mix of them for all of the couples attending your wedding. 

All of Me — John Legend

At Last – Etta James

Make You Feel My Love — Adele

Kokomo — The Beach Boys

Can’t Help Falling In Love — Elvis Presley

The Way You Look Tonight — Frank Sinatra

Because You Loved Me — Céline Dion

Dream a Little Dream of Me — Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong

I Choose You — Sara Bareilles

Being With You — Smokey Robinson

You Send Me — Sam Cooke

We Danced — Brad Paisley

From This Moment On — Shania Twain

Perfect — Ed Sheeran

Paper Planes — Alexander Jean

First Day of My Life — Bright Eyes

Keeping your guests in mind when choosing your wedding reception songs will ensure you create a collection of the best wedding reception songs. If you’ve hired an expert wedding DJ they’ll also help you curate the mood on the dance floor with their extensive knowledge of both popular and classic wedding reception songs. This is one wedding decision, thankfully, you won’t have to handle by yourselves.

Now that you’ve got your wedding reception playlist rolling you can focus on the other important musical elements of your wedding like your first dance song.

Image by Arte Magna 

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7 Celestial Wedding Ideas to Leave Your Guests Starry-Eyed

July 10, 2022 | riley

Image by Love to the Core Photo. Keep scrolling to see our favorite celestial wedding ideas

If your love is written in the stars, then boy, do we have a theme for you. Think of a dark, moody color palette, decor that will have you starry-eyed, and otherworldly accessories. If you’re loving the celestial wedding theme but you’re unsure how to pull it off, you’re in luck because you don’t need a telescope to see these ideas. We’ve rounded up our most out-of-this-world celestial wedding ideas to help you bring one of the most popular wedding trends to life. From face glitter to cosmic seating charts, keep scrolling to see how you can pull off the astronomical aesthetic for your special day.

Celestial Wedding Ideas

1. Invitations

Let your star-themed nuptials shine from the very get-go with these space-inspired invitations. You can incorporate your and your future spouse’s zodiac signs and birth charts or go with a more realistic approach and opt for galaxy patterns.

Shop celestial invitations: Bohemian Full Moon Wedding Invite; Under Starry Night Sky Wedding Invitation Suite; Constellation Stars Wedding Invitation; Moon & Stars Wedding Invitation; Till Death Do Us Part Tarot Sun And Moon Wedding Invite

2. Wooden Moons

From ceremony backdrops to seating charts to chair decor, there are multiple different ways you can incorporate wooden moons into your decor. Like more than one? Incorporate them all. It’s your big day, after all.

3. Accessories

Your wedding fashion doesn’t stop at clothing. Once you have your dream attire picked out, it’s important to accessorize. From earrings to hair accessories to customized jackets that will keep you warm on cooler nights, these will have you looking wedding-ready while also being on theme.

Earrings

Shop similar earrings:

Hair Accessories

Image by Rubi Z Photo

Shop hair accessories:

Jackets

Shop celestial bridal jackets: To The Moon & Back Celestial Biker Jacket; Celestial Zodiac Star Constellation Biker Jacket; Aurora Bespoke Bridal Denim Jacket; My Sun, My Moon, And All My Stars Bridal Jacket; Personalized Black Denim Bridal Jacket

Headbands

Shop celestial headbands: Celestial Star Headband; Crystal Star Headband; Starburst Halo Crown; Gold Star Crystal Headpiece; Bridal Goddess Halo Crown; Silver Star Halo Crown Tiara

4. Cake

The best part about hosting a celestial wedding is the freedom that it gives you with your wedding cake. Opt for a black cake to fit in with the space vibes, add constellations with gold paint, or keep it simple and incorporate a celestial-inspired cake topper.

Shop celestial cake toppers: Moon and Stars Cake Topper; I Love You to the Moon and Back Cake Topper; Gold/Silver Leaf Moon Wedding Cake Topper; Written In The Stars Cake Topper; Moon of My Life, My Sun, and My Stars Cake Topper

5. Makeup

For those who aren’t afraid to stand out and break the traditional mold one might expect to find at a wedding, consider tying the theme in with your makeup. Think of a lot of silver or gold glitter and stars.

Shop face glitter:

6. Hanging Decor

There’s something about hanging stars above a reception dinner that makes you feel as if you’ve been transported into another world. Not to mention the fact that the lanterns double as beautiful decor and lighting. Bonus: you can repurpose the glass lanterns in your own home or backyard once the wedding is over.

Shop hanging decor: Handmade Glass Moroccan Glass Star Lantern; Solid White Stars Cut-Out Paper Star Chinese Lantern; Moravian Star Folding Paper Lantern; Nine Point Origami Lantern

7. Signage

There is so much signage that goes into a wedding–welcome signs, bar menus, programs, seating charts, and more. Because this is pretty much everywhere you look, it’s by far the easiest way to incorporate the celestial theme into your special day.

Welcome Sign

Image by Gretchen Gause

Shop celestial welcome signs: Minimal Celestial Welcome Sign; Watercolor Zodiac Constellation Welcome Sign; Tarot Celestial Welcome Sign; Starry Night Wedding Welcome Sign

Seating Charts

Shop celestial seating charts: Moon and Stars Wedding Table Plan; Minimal Celestial Seating Chart; Celestial Zodiac Seating Plan; Modern Arched Celestial Seating Plan; Celeste Arched Boho Seating Chart

Table Numbers

Shop celestial table numbers: Navy & Gold Celestial Table Numbers; Art Deco Foiled Astrology Table Numbers; Starry Night Table Numbers; Moon and Stars Table Numbers

Place cards

Shop celestial place cards: Acrylic Moon Place Card; Moon Shaped Gold Foil Place Card; Starry Night Celestial Place Card; Minimalist Celestial Place Card; Gold/Silver Leaf Moon and Star Wedding Place Cards

If you’re having a hard time envisioning how you can tie these celestial wedding ideas into your special day, check out these five steps for making a wedding mood board. Creating a visual guide can help you visually explain what you’re hoping for so your talented vendor team can bring the vision to life!

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How to Craft an Intimate Wedding Even With a Large Guest List

August 31, 2021 | Junebug Weddings

Image by Nicola Tonolini. See more of this real wedding here.

Congratulations on your upcoming wedding! If you’re here, you likely have a lot of family and friends that you want to attend your wedding—which is amazing. It can be incredibly difficult to plan a wedding with a large guest list and still make the day feel intimate. Let us be the first to reassure you that you can create an intimate large wedding, even if your guest list is long. We promise.

From reception decor to the ceremony, we’ve compiled a list of seven ways to craft an intimate wedding with a large guest list. Scroll down and find the ones that best suit you, your partner, and your wedding style.

image by A’Daw Photography. See more of this real wedding here.

Add Romantic Lighting

Depending on your venue, adding romantic lights can make your wedding feel more intimate. From string lights to candles, these dimmer light options can make even the largest venue feel cozy. Whether you make a wall of string lights or add fairy lights to the reception table, these cute options are sure to make your reception feel more intimate. 

Shop romantic lighting: Flameless Candle with Embedded String Lights ($26.99); Flameless Flickering Battery Operated Candles ($27.99); 24 Packs Fairy String Lights ($24.99)

image by Arina B Photography. See more of this real wedding here.

Mix Up The Tables and Seating Arrangements 

If you’re worried about your guests sparking up conversations, try changing up your seating arrangement. Instead of having a few large family-style tables, try mixing in a few smaller circular or square tables throughout your reception space. This will make space for guests to be able to converse easily with each other and makes the entire space feel more inviting. It’ll also make it easier for you to talk to your guests and have enough space for a hug or two. 

Junebug Tip: 

Seat your guests with people they may not have met. How they know you and your partner is a great conversation starter and a great way for your guests to make new connections.

Make Your Intimate Large Wedding A Multi-Day Event

If it’s within your wedding budget, make your wedding a multi-day celebration. This allows you and your partner to give extra time to your guests so everyone feels like they got to spend time with you on your big day. You can have one day for the ceremony and another day for group activities.

wedding in a round seating arrangement

image by Autumn Nicole Photography. See more of this real wedding here.

Involve Guests in Your Intimate Large Wedding

There are so many unity ceremonies that can allow your guests to feel more involved in you and your partners’ marriage vows. One great way to get your guests involved is a ring warming ceremony—both rings are passed around and everyone warms the rings with good wishes. If that doesn’t sound like your vibe, there are many other ways to involve your loved ones, like guest speeches or candle lighting. 

Add Personalized Notes On Escort Cards

There’s something so special about receiving a handwritten note from someone you care for. A personalized note on their escort card is a unique detail that will make your guests feel more included in your intimate large wedding. Even if you already planned to send your guests a thank you note for wedding gifts, use this opportunity to thank them for being there to celebrate your love. 

Shop blank escort cards: 50 Printed Foil Place Card ($103); Printed Place Card ($0.79+); Tented Green Leaf Escort Cards ($8.50+)

photo op or photo booth with a wedding book

image by Teri B Photography. See more of this real wedding here.

Make Photo Booth or Photo Op Area

Speaking of photo opportunities, what is a wedding without good photo backdrops or a photo booth? Guests will love being able to take cute pictures with each other at the booth, or at your photo opp spot to share how they are celebrating your love. Plus, it will give you and your partner an excuse to take funny pictures with your guests and with each other. 

Junebug Tip: 

Get a couple of instant print cameras, like a Polaroid, and have guests add to a physical photo book during the reception. It’s a great way for you and your partner to relive the night through your guests’ eyes. Plus, they can take some photos home as a memento.

Shop wedding guest books: Wedding Guest Book Gold Foil ($48); Custom Wood Wedding Guestbook ($45); Velvet Wedding Instax Guest Book ($107)

lounge area for an intimate large wedding

image by Erika Diaz Photography. See more of this real wedding here.

Create A Lounge Space

It’s no secret that comfy couches and lounge chairs are a hit at weddings—they’re cute and cozy. Creating a lounge space for your guests encourages mingling, conversations, and the occasional break from the dance floor. Plus, a cozy lounge space can double as a cute photo opp. 

We want to send one more congratulations to you on your upcoming wedding. Large weddings can be so much fun and we hope these ideas will help create that cozy wedding you want. If the idea of having too many guests is starting to stress you out, you can always opt for a micro wedding ceremony and then host a large reception later. It’s your day. There are no rules so you might as well make it your own!

craft an intimate large wedding

image by Arina B Photography. See more of this real wedding here.

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