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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, 2023 | 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.

Image by Nikk Nguyen Photo. See more of this inspiration here

2. 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

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

January 21, 2023 | morgan

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

April 8, 2022 | nicole

photo by Carley Jayne Azorit, sign by Bespoke Tacoma

Wedding signage may seem like a last minute detail, but seeing as your welcome sign greets your guests, you have a chance to really set the tone for your day in style! If you’ve been searching for the perfect way to help your guests enter your day, look no further than these Etsy wedding welcome signs! From acrylic to wood to signs you can print at home, there’s a welcome sign for every wedding style.

Black Arched Welcome Sign by Monique Paper Art

Acrylic Wedding Welcome Sign by Stone and Co. Designs

Wooden Wedding Welcome Sign by Weddings Decor Studio

Greenery Wedding Welcome Sign by My Happy Place Print

Painted Acrylic Welcome Sign by Weddings Decor Studio

Acrylic Wedding Sign by Adorning Oaks

Gatsby Wedding Welcome Sign by Foxbairn

Acrylic Wedding Welcome Sign by Paper and Pine Co

Greenery Wedding Welcome Sign by Verdilian

Clear Acrylic Wedding Welcome Sign by 1801 and Co

Pampas Grass Wedding Welcome Sign by Being Happy Prints

Elegant Wedding Welcome Sign by Lilac and White

Wedding Welcome Sign with Frame by Adorning Oaks

Simple Wedding Welcome Sign by Betsy Lily Designs

Eucalyptus Greenery Wedding Sign by Visualising Dreams

Peony Floral Wedding Welcome Sign by Firefly Digital Dreams

Wooden Wedding Welcome Sign by Paper and Pine Co

Rustic Welcome to Our Beginning Sign by Art Home Boutique

Blush Peony Wedding Welcome Sign by Belle Hanah Paperie

Frosted Pink Wedding Welcome Sign by Monique Paper Art

Tropical Wedding Welcome Sign by Visualising Dreams

Minimalist Wedding Welcome Sign by Marie Thomas Paperie

Modern Botanical Wedding Sign by NUAGE Shop

Gold Mirror Welcome Sign by Monique Paper Art

Eucalyptus Wedding Welcome Sign by Indigo Bear Design

Geometric Gold Wedding Welcome Sign by Dgt Studio Designs

Rustic Wedding Welcome Sign by Art Home Boutique

Printable Greenery Wedding Welcome Sign by Minty Paperie Shop

Printable Eucalyptus Wedding Poster by Minty Paperie Shop

Love these Etsy wedding welcome signs? Check out more Etsy roundups for your wedding decor needs!

The Best Etsy Wedding Menu Templates

The Best Etsy Wedding Dress Shops for Handmade Gowns

Etsy Wedding Favors Your Guests Actually Want to Take Home

The Best Etsy Wedding Cake Stands

The Best Etsy Card Boxes for Your Wedding

The Best Etsy Wedding Cake Toppers

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

August 31, 2021 | olivia

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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This Romantic Hummingbird Nest Ranch Wedding Felt Intimate Despite a Large Guest List

April 18, 2020 | brooke

Ashley and Tyler’s romantic Hummingbird Nest Ranch wedding has our hearts skipping a beat! When this couple was searching for their venue, they knew they wanted all the magical vibes and many areas for their guests to enjoy. The even created a fun pre-ceremony cocktail hour so their friends and family could enjoy with them even longer! Every detail was executed with perfection thanks to the help of their rockstar planners Moments 2 Memories Events, who helped pull together the team that made this day something out of a Pinterest board. We’re obsessed with the rentals from A Rental Connection and Edge Design & Decor, incredible floral arrangements Penelope Pots Floral & Event Design created, and every photo Arina B Photography captured of this ultra-romantic Hummingbird Nest Ranch wedding!

The Couple:

Ashley & Tyler

The Wedding:

Hummingbird Nest Ranch, Santa Susana, California

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RECOMMENDED READING: 7 Wedding Dress Trends for 2020

I was initially having trouble finding an outdoor wedding venue within the SoCal area that wasn’t a ranch or a beach. I knew that we both wanted something totally magical and different. We wanted something that we could create to be our own, that was easily accessible for our guests, and that didn’t have too many rules or regulations. When we found Hummingbird Nest Ranch, we knew it was perfect! It provided so many different areas that we could chose from to have each part of the wedding day at. From there, we curated each main event- the ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception to be exactly how we envisioned it in our minds. We even had a pre-cocktail hour, which took place before the ceremony, for guests to have a quick bite to eat and a drink before the festivities began.

We surprisingly did a lot of DIY for our wedding! Our invitations, signage, and table numbers were all designed and created by the two of us! We had so much fun creating such unique pieces for our wedding day, we actually began a small signage business shortly afterwards. Everyone was so surprised to hear we made all of those things ourselves by hand! It made it that much more special and intimate to be receiving compliments on those aspects of our day.

The most memorable part of the day was reading our vows to one another. We both wrote our own unique vows and that was so special to hear for the first time for both of us.

Our wedding colors were dusty rose, navy blue, burgundy, splashes of gold, and lots of greenery! Although we were having a summer wedding, I wanted our colors to set the tone of the elegance of the occasion, without being too bold or taking over! Pink is my favorite color so I definitely wanted to incorporate that with a soft dusty rose in the florals and design elements.

 

The Wedding Team:

Photography – Arina B Photography
Event Planning – Moments 2 Memories Events
Wedding Venue – Hummingbird Nest Ranch
Floral Design – Penelope Pots Floral & Event Design
Catering – Sason Catering
Dessert – Churro Bar
Bar – Salute Bar Events
DJ – DJ Sepo
Videography – One Story Weddings
Invitation Design & Signage – Tash Design Co
Makeup Artist – Cheek to Cheek Artistry
Hair Styling – Julie Grimmet
Wedding Dress – Watters
Groom’s Apparel – The Black Tux
Rentals – A Rental Connection
Additional Rentals – Edge Design & Decor

 

Congratulations, Ashley and Tyler, and many thanks to Junebug member Moments 2 Memories Events for sharing their day with us! If you love the work Moments 2 Memories Events did for this day, be sure to check out their page in our directory of the world’s best wedding planners.

 

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This Unbelievably Dreamy Fairmount Park Horticulture Center Wedding Gave Guests Garden Vibes Without Weather Worries

Elisabeth and Ethan brought the outdoors in for their Fairmount Park Horticultural Center wedding, and we can’t stop smiling! The Styled Bride infused the couple’s love of travel and their love of flowers with rustic and vintage furniture for a design that was equal parts modern and timeless. Devon & Pinkett went above and beyond with the spring-inspired floral designs, in addition to making one of the most charming travel-inspired escort card displays we’ve seen! From the sweet first look in downtown Philly to the intimate greenhouse reception, Pat Robinson Photography beautifully captured every angle of Elisabeth and Ethan’s spring wedding!

The Couple:

Elisabeth and Ethan

The Wedding:

Fairmount Park Horticultural Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

We were planning our wedding a year in advance in a different country, so we knew it was crucial to have a great team of vendors that we could trust and who could collaborate well with each other. Through Skype interviews, reading blogs, and scrolling through Instagram, we eventually decided on each vendor based on how well we communicated, on their unique creativity, and on how they were able to see and truly understand our vision for our wedding. We wanted to make sure that our wedding was reflective of who we were and what was important to us, and we definitely felt that we chose the right people to carry out our vision.

Both of us had always loved the idea of an outdoor ceremony, filled with flowers, green foliage, and natural light. However, we knew that early April weather would be unpredictable. In fact, a week before our wedding, it was set to snow on our wedding date (luckily, it didn’t!). We are beyond happy that we chose the Fairmount Park Horticultural Center because it had everything we wanted, from the gorgeous natural light to the surrounding flowers and plants, all while keeping us warm from the chilly weather outside. And the pictures ended up looking absolutely gorgeous!

During our ceremony and after we exchanged our vows, we intentionally took some time to turn to our parents in a moment of thanksgiving. As our musicians played soft music, we read prepared letters to each of our parents, to honor and thank them for years of love and support. It was definitely a tearful event and something very meaningful to both of us.

Our personalized escort card display was designed so beautifully by Devon & Pinkett. An important aspect of our relationship has always been travel, and so we wanted to incorporate that theme into our display. The escort cards were shaped like luggage tags, and they were pinned onto three framed vintage maps of the three cities that are most significant to us: Boston, Shanghai, and Taipei. We’ve traveled to each of these cities together and each one holds meaningful memories for our relationship. The display was complete with floating frames, hanging greenery, vintage luggage cases, and accented florals.

It can be so easy to get caught up in the wedding planning process, in thinking about the aesthetic details or what people expect of you. When it comes down to it, your wedding is simply a celebration of your lifelong commitment to one another! Your wedding day honestly goes by so quickly — choose to find the simple joys throughout the entire day and don’t sweat the small stuff!

Processional – “O Come to the Altar” by Elevation Worship (performed by our close friends Hannah Kim & Andrew Kerhoulas)
Recessional – “Paradise” by George Ezra
First Dance – “Easily” by Bruno Major

For our wedding favors, we offered succulent cupcakes by Nutmeg Cake Design. They were absolutely delicious and life-like; so many of our guests specially mentioned them to us afterward. It was a small lovely touch that fit right into the greenery in Fairmount Horticulture Center, and made our guests feel appreciated!

The Wedding Team:

Photography – Pat Robinson Photography
Event Planning – The Styled Bride
Venue – Fairmount Park Horticultural Center
Floral Design – Devon & Pinkett
Catering – Constellation Culinary
Cake – Nutmeg Cake Design
DJ – Lovesick
Videography – Willow Tree Films
Stationery – Papertree Studio
Makeup Artist – Beke Beau
Hair Styling – Amanda D’Andrea Hair
Wedding Dress – Monique Lhuillier
Bridesmaids’ Apparel – Jenny Yoo
Groom’s Apparel – ISAIA
Groomsmen’s Apparel – The Black Tux
Favors – Nutmeg Cake Design
Escort Card Display – Devon & Pinkett
Signs and Calligraphy – JLiu & Co.
Photo Booth – Poser Photobooth Co.

 

Congratulations to Elisabeth and Ethan, and a huge thanks to Junebug member Pat Robinson Photography for sharing this incredible Fairmount Park Horticultural Center wedding! For more from this talented photographer, check out this minimalist garden wedding at Terrain at Styer’s!

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With No Bride, These Stylish Grooms Invited Their Guests to Wear White to Their Four Seasons Resort Orlando Wedding

May 15, 2019 | juliette

Inspired by the all-white party in the movie White Chicks — yes, you read that correctly — Nick and Grant’s all-white Four Seasons Resort Orlando wedding was visually stunning! Pixies & Petals helped bring the couple’s vision to life, using all-white florals and linens alongside accents of greenery and natural textures, to create a look that was simultaneously elegant and understated. The grooms both wore navy blue suits from Suit Supply, which looked striking against their guests’ all-white attire. And, in keeping with the non-traditional feel of the day, they even included their fur babies in the ceremony! We can’t say enough about this beautiful wedding and these fantastic photos captured by Matthew Schueller Photography!

The Couple:

Nick and Grant

The Wedding:

Four Seasons Resort Orlando, Florida

What was most important when planning our wedding was keeping the ceremony and reception space as simple as possible. The venue itself is so beautiful that we didn’t want to overdo it. For us, we wanted our wedding to embody the idea of less is more. We wanted our guests to feel like they were in a fairytale, and we think we did just that.

With our wedding already being non-traditional in every way, we were able to personalize our wedding to fit exactly what we wanted. We had our father walk each of our two dogs down the aisle while we each separately walked down the aisle with our mothers. This allowed us to involve every family member — even the ones with paws and a tail! We also had Grant‘s 19-year-old sister officiate the wedding, with our wedding being the first she had ever attended. She was amazing!

Getting married to the love of your life is not about all the money you’ve spent or the plans that you made. It is about creating an unbreakable bond that will last a lifetime in front of the people you love. Remember that your special day is about that person you chose to walk down the aisle with. Whether you have to swim through a river of rain or skip through the sunshine, remember to control what you can control and everything will be just fine.

The most memorable part of the day was when we sat down for dinner. That was our first opportunity to take a step back and appreciate all of our hard work and time spent planning our big day. As we sat there, we couldn’t help but smile and giggle at one another as we witnessed something so incredibly special, it makes us happy just thinking about it. We overlooked a beautiful terrace filled with love, laughter, and most importantly family. Our smaller separate families magically turned into one big family and upon that realization, we knew that our 5 years of ups and downs, twists and turns were all worth it in the end!

The Wedding Team:

Photography – Matthew Schueller Photography
Event Planning and Floral Design – Pixies & Petals
Venue – Four Seasons Resort Orlando
DJ – Power Entertainment
Videography – byDesign Films
Stationery – Paper Source
Hair and Makeup Artist – Danis Johnson
Grooms’ Apparel – Suit Supply
Rings – David Yurman
Favors – William Dean Chocolates
Seating Chart/Chalkboard – Two Peas Designs
Pet Care – Fairytail Pet Care

 

Congratulations, Nick and Grant, on the beginning of forever and on this incredible Four Seasons Resort Orlando wedding! Love the idea of an all-white wedding? This couple played up the California desert hues with an all-white wedding at Wolf Feather Honey Farm!

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