One of the biggest compliments I got on my wedding day nearly two years ago was when one of our guests said to me at the reception, “I’ve never seen two people look like they were having so much fun at their own wedding!” I was thrilled because it meant that our months of planning had paid off and we were not only having the wedding of our dreams, but people could tell that we were enjoying it, too. Read on for five tricks to help you enjoy your big day.
1. Dance!
First and foremost, the bride and groom set the tone for the wedding. If you’re having a great time, everyone else will, too. The best way to show you’re enjoying every minute? Get out on the dance floor!
It’s easy to get caught up visiting with all of your guests and forget that you need to enjoy the party too. You’re the one who has spent months planning this celebration for the two of you – now it’s your turn to enjoy it! Plus, guests who see the bride and groom dancing and having fun will respond to your relaxed vibe and pretty soon you’ll have the whole room laughing in the Conga line.
2. Trim your Guest List
Sure, you want to be surrounded by all of the people you love, but think carefully about your guest list. More guests means more time spent throughout the day mingling and wondering if they’re having a good time rather than worrying about if you’re having a good time. It’s easier to catch up with everyone when you keep the guest list to your close family and friends.
3. Put your Energy (and Resources) into What Truly Matters
Think about the last fun wedding you went to. What you probably remember most are the highlights – maybe the great food, lively music, or the fun crowd. You probably don’t remember which glass votives were used as part of the centerpieces. The point is, put your energy and your resources into the things that your guests will appreciate and add to their experience, like the setting, the food, and the music and try not to worry about the smaller details. When you know your guests are taken care of, it’s easier for you to relax and enjoy the party.
4. Roll with the Punches
Every wedding has a few mishaps. The cupcake tower at our wedding tipped over after too many guests took a cupcake from the front and the whole thing tipped backwards. My reaction? I laughed. Yes, there was frosting down the wall, but what was I going to do about it now? Luckily, the team at my venue was able to salvage most of what was left and most of our guests never even knew what happened. Sure, they didn’t all look as pretty as they did before, but what would have been even less pretty was a fuming bride.
Know going into it that despite all of your best efforts, every wedding is going to have something unexpected come up. If you commit to just rolling with the punches, I promise you’ll have a less stressful and more fun day (and, probably a funny story to tell in the future!).
5. Soak it In
Steal a few minutes away at the reception with your new spouse, go to a quiet spot, and just look around and soak it in. Everyone you see is there to celebrate your new marriage. It’s a huge reminder to be grateful for the love in the room.
Then, get back to celebrating! Everyone in that room wants to see you happy, so the more fun you can have at your own wedding the more memorable it will be for everyone.
