Happy & Healthy

this is how you make your wedding memorable

(for your guests too)

Unfortunately I’m not an expert on this subject. If you ever happen to bump into my significant other, let him subtly know that my ring size is a 20. No, don’t worry, my unmarried state is something we both agreed upon together, we spent that half a ton (because that’s what most weddings seem to cost these days) on a sabbatical in Rome.

But that doesn’t mean I haven’t been to my fair share of weddings. And surprise surprise, they’re all still married (which is miraculous in this day and age). A friend of mine did it in Vegas but it went down hill after that, after a year ‘on the down low’ they said their vows again at their wedding in the film museum in Amsterdam with May-Britt Mobach on the guest list and voilà, they live(d) happily ever after. So, do you want a guarantee for eternal faithfulness and happiness, put me on your guest list and everything, and I mean everything, will be fine.

But anyways, back to the wedding where I was, because I learnt a lot from it. About how it should be done, and how it shouldn’t (more specifically the behavior of the guests) and how nobody will ever be capable of forgetting about it.

1. Anticipation

Besides the invite and the save the date, it’s fun to count down the days until your big day together. Perhaps you can ask your friends to all write something about you guys and have them send you a letter once every week. Or you send all your guests something every week giving them hints about things that will be taking place on your big day. Or you can send them a playlist to get them in the mood.

2. Presents

My friend B gave her witnesses the ingredients that would be used to make the cocktails at their wedding party. To imbibe before the event so to speak.

3. Bedroom attention

Picture this, you’re wedding is abroad and you’re guests are arriving a few days before your wedding day. How great is it to have hand written letters and some other treats waiting for them in their hotel rooms? A few handpicked flowers, a bottle of wine, a list of places in the neighborhood for them to visit…

4. A book of face

Of course you know most of the friends that have been invited, but have you ever been to a wedding where you knew everyone who was attending? I always feel as though there are people that even the bride and groom don’t really know. Make a book of faces for everyone who is attending and a little description about how you know each other.

5. Seating chart deluxe

Our friends M and H got married on the Swedish coast. They are Swedish and happen to be quite primordial. Think of lumberjacks and chopping down their own Christmas trees in the wood. For their seating chart M (who makes furniture) sawed a bunch of different types of wood in two. So you’d have two round pieces, two flat ones, etc. Everyone was given a piece and you would have to find your match. Even though the guests were from all over the world, you immediately felt like a member of one big group.

6. CD

This was my favorite when my friends K and S got married. Everyone was given a CD with their favorite songs on it. To make it even better, you can add short summaries about why the song is so important to you guys.

7. The goodiebag

Friend M is chef goodiebag. We got aspirins for the following morning, a croissant, small jars of Bonne Maman confiture and a face mask. Perfect.