The Best Wedding Ever

January 15, 2010

Recently I planned my own wedding and unbeknownst to me was that I was planning the best wedding ever. I started receiving the feedback when I rang my parents before leaving for our honeymoon and my mother relaying feedback from our family that our wedding was the best that they have ever attended. And my family have attended many weddings. Initially I thought it was nice of my family to say that but then thought nothing of it. Upon returning from my honeymoon and catching up with friends, many of my husband’s friends commented on how good the wedding was and that it was the best wedding they had been to, my friends also shared this opinion as did the people I worked with that attended the wedding.  
There were definitely some key elements that made our wedding different and special. So let me tell you more about the wedding and some things that in planning phase made our wedding so entertaining and fun.
Weddings are often considered boring and dutiful occasions full of tradition and ceremony. The speeches are generally long and cumbersome and the music drab and clichéd. I mean if I have to hear ‘nut bush city limits’ at any wedding one more time. So when planning my own wedding, I wanted to create an atmosphere true celebration. A big party if you will.
One of the things most important to me in creating a great atmosphere is the music, and if that isn’t right then the event is bore. Wedding entertainment is often the hardest thing to get right. Coming from and ethnic background and having to accommodate guest s from different walks of life presented a further challenge. Being we are a Middle Eastern and New Zealand couple meant social traditions on both sides. I wanted to incorporate the cultural traditions I liked.  
The paid entertainment we included were a belly dancer who engaged the crowd for 20 mins of the event. We also included a band to play Middle Eastern music along with a DJ who also was the MC to play English music. The DJ we hired was fantastic and an integral part of our event. He facilitated and coordinated all the entertainment on the night to ensure that everything ran smoothly and on time. The changeovers between entertainers were seamless. He was also very flexible and amiable as we had some additional unexpected entertainment on the night. My husband’s family being form New Zealand had practiced and decided to surprise us by performing the Hakka which our DJ was also able to fit in to the itinerary. It was brilliant as all cultures were entertained and there was always something to watch.
Our Wedding DJ also included every song we wanted on the night. He was very accommodating, professional and eager to please. He understood the type of music we like and shared our taste in music. He was a perfect fit for our wedding.
The key to making your wedding memorable and special is to create a fun atmosphere. You want your guests to enjoy themselves and celebrate your marriage not to be bogged down by formalities. Perhaps try to find some entertainment for your wedding that’s different and unique and represents you as a couple. Finally, let your hair down and enjoy yourself, after all it is your day. And if the bride and groom are enjoying themselves so will the guests.

Recently I planned my own wedding and unbeknownst to me was that I was planning the best wedding ever. I started receiving the feedback when I rang my parents before leaving for our honeymoon and my mother relaying feedback from our family that our wedding was the best that they have ever attended. And my family have attended many weddings. Initially I thought it was nice of my family to say that but then thought nothing of it. Upon returning from my honeymoon and catching up with friends, many of my husband’s friends commented on how good the wedding was and that it was the best wedding they had been to, my friends also shared this opinion as did the people I worked with that attended the wedding.  
There were definitely some key elements that made our wedding different and special. So let me tell you more about the wedding and some things that in planning phase made our wedding so entertaining and fun.
Weddings are often considered boring and dutiful occasions full of tradition and ceremony. The speeches are generally long and cumbersome and the music drab and clichéd. I mean if I have to hear ‘nut bush city limits’ at any wedding one more time. So when planning my own wedding, I wanted to create an atmosphere true celebration. A big party if you will.
One of the things most important to me in creating a great atmosphere is the music, and if that isn’t right then the event is bore. Wedding entertainment is often the hardest thing to get right. Coming from and ethnic background and having to accommodate guest s from different walks of life presented a further challenge. Being we are a Middle Eastern and New Zealand couple meant social traditions on both sides. I wanted to incorporate the cultural traditions I liked.  
The paid entertainment we included were a belly dancer who engaged the crowd for 20 mins of the event. We also included a band to play Middle Eastern music along with a DJ who also was the MC to play English music. The DJ we hired was fantastic and an integral part of our event. He facilitated and coordinated all the entertainment on the night to ensure that everything ran smoothly and on time. The changeovers between entertainers were seamless. He was also very flexible and amiable as we had some additional unexpected entertainment on the night. My husband’s family being form New Zealand had practiced and decided to surprise us by performing the Hakka which our DJ was also able to fit in to the itinerary. It was brilliant as all cultures were entertained and there was always something to watch.
Our Wedding DJ also included every song we wanted on the night. He was very accommodating, professional and eager to please. He understood the type of music we like and shared our taste in music. He was a perfect fit for our wedding.
The key to making your wedding memorable and special is to create a fun atmosphere. You want your guests to enjoy themselves and celebrate your marriage not to be bogged down by formalities. Perhaps try to find some entertainment for your wedding that’s different and unique and represents you as a couple. Finally, let your hair down and enjoy yourself, after all it is your day. And if the bride and groom are enjoying themselves so will the guests.

For more information visit http://www.nusuevents.com.au

 

Nariman Taweel
http://www.articlesbase.com/weddings-articles/the-best-wedding-ever-716148.html

Posted in: wedding planning

  1. 51 Responses to “The Best Wedding Ever”

  2. What was the best favor you ever recieved from a wedding?
    I’m in the process of searching for the best wedding favor ever! What wedding favors would you keep, and what would you toss?

    By The Advisor on Jan 15, 2010

  3. Hated – CD’s, Candles, Bell

    Loved – Picture Frame (small silver one that held place card), Pen, Decorated Cookie
    References :

    By Luv2Answer on Jan 15, 2010

  4. We gave Christmas tree ornaments, and I know they are still used because I’ve seen them hanging on peoples trees. We received coasters once, which I thought were pretty good. Little knickknacks make the worst. Chocolate is always good to!
    References :

    By Dana C on Jan 15, 2010

  5. "Nik-nak" type favors usually end up in the garbage. We went with something edible, that way people could enjoy a sweet treat, and there was no waste. Or something people might actually use. At one wedding I went to, they did shot glasses with a cute saying and the couple’s names on them.
    References :

    By theMrs. on Jan 15, 2010

  6. Frankly, I’ve never really received anything amazingly wonderful.

    One friend of mine once gave us lovely glass picture frames with space for three 4×6 photos. She included a photo of herself and the groom. The other slots had paper inserted with their names and wedding date. I love the frame, but I took her picture out a long time ago and replaced it with one of me and my fiance.

    For the most part, I don’t really like getting personalized favors. What am I supposed to do with a shot glass, frame, magnet, whatever, that has someone else’s names on it??

    I hate to say it, but most favors just get tossed. I’m having an outdoor, summer wedding, so my favor will be folding silk fans. I fully expect my guests to use them during the event itself, but I won’t be offended if they toss them afterwards.
    References :

    By corinne1029 on Jan 15, 2010

  7. M&Ms. Eat and toss, thats the best.

    But I also was given an engraved wine opener that I use all the time, it wasnt my favorite, but it has a use so its not collecting dust on some shelf.
    References :

    By kateqd30 on Jan 15, 2010

  8. Candy: it can be eaten. I see some people leave at the end of the reception with a few favors of candy because other people leave them behind. I’ve also seen couples that have Hershey bars with their names and wedding date on them!
    References :

    By theewokprincess on Jan 15, 2010

  9. The ONLY one I remember keeping and USING (still, several years later) was a silver ice cream scoop given as a favor during a Fourth of July wedding. It’s super heavy-duty, no engraving with names and dates…just very simple and useful
    References :

    By Gem on Jan 15, 2010

  10. Perhaps I’m giving away my age, but why do you need to give favors out at weddings? I remember favors from birthday parties when I was less than 10 years old…but never after that. We did not have favors at my wedding and I do not recall ever receiving one at anyone else’s wedding I ever attended.

    People attend weddings to celebrate the union of a couple. They give gifts if they wish to do so. There is no obligation on the part of the wedding couple to gift their guests with anything other than a pleasant celebration.
    References :

    By Susan K on Jan 15, 2010

  11. Chocolates, nuts, candy, candles, engraved toasting glasses, frames, heart cookie cutters with ribbons of the wedding colors, pictures of the couple…..all good!
    References :

    By ♥Sweetmusic ♥ on Jan 15, 2010

  12. Been to lots of weddings, have kept or used ALL.
    Best are Jordan almonds, we LOVE those. Last wedding we were at, they had shot glasses with their names and the date on them, with a little organza bag tucked in with mini tootsie rolls in them – that was an amazing favour.
    Most over the top favour – from an Italian wedding, a porcelain statue of a stylized man and woman kissing, about a foot high. Beautiful, but sheesh!
    Chocolate spoons were a great favour, and for that same wedding they had stirsticks with their names on them – we have those and use them still, like 10 years later!
    References :

    By Lydia on Jan 15, 2010

  13. Many people seem to like candles, bells, glass trinkets, etc… but in reality, most people do not like to bring these "favors" home with them. Most people consider them to be junk, and just toss them in the garbage anyways. (As much as we’d like to think that they won’t).

    People tend to like unique ideas, or food items (such as Jordan Almonds, truffles, M&M’s, etc…) which can all be wrapped beautifully and inexpensively.

    For my Spring wedding three months ago, I decided to do plantable seed cards. It was a card that read "Plant this Heart and Wildflowers will grow…" and then at the bottom you could personalize your own message.

    I purchased mine for .99 cents each and they were a HUGE hit at our wedding – everyone took theirs home and raved about what a great idea it was!

    Below is a link to the heart favors and a link to a great place for truffles.
    References :
    http://www.botanicalpaperworks.com/product/Plantable+Heart+Flat+Card/242/

    http://www.truffletrolley.com

    By K.C. on Jan 15, 2010

  14. Honestly, I’ve not been to a wedding YET where I was SOOOO impressed with the favor…and I’ve been to a LOT of weddings!
    I’m not trying to be rude when I say that either…and obviously I’m not the only one who feels that way since every single wedding I’ve been to have ended w/hundreds of favors left behind and wasted.

    Favors are NOT a "must have/do". Nobody will think bad of you should you opt not to do them. This is mosts probably the biggest area of wasted funds when planning a wedding.

    I’m not doing individual favors for mine. I purchsed cute stickers from oriental trading that go on the bottom of hershey kisses. When the "fall season" colored kisses come out, I’m getting those, putting on the stickers and placing a bowl on each table along w/a table-tent card that I’m going to print out welcoming all the guests and thanking them for being there, which will also be hand-signed by my fiance and I. Guests still get a little "thank you goody" with out all the waste or them trying to decide whether to take it or leave it.
    References :

    By secret_oktober_girl on Jan 15, 2010

  15. Candy is alright, but anything with your name on it is a bad idea, IMO…what does anyone want with Sally and Ted June 9, 2009 written on a wineglass?

    I’m probably not good to be answering this question, becasue I think favors are generally a waste of money and something most people wish they didn’t have to find a spot for.
    References :

    By melouofs on Jan 15, 2010

  16. They had a really cute cookie cutters in the shape of a heart tied to a announcement and inside the announcement it had a recipe for the cookies they also had setting on the table. I love cooking so i thought this was a very nice idea
    References :

    By octoberbride on Jan 15, 2010

  17. Have had:
    Candy. (personalized hershey bars etc.) Eaten, gone.

    Loved:
    Mini-Champagne bottles. Label had the couple’s wedding date and theme on it. Grabbed a couple of those.

    Useful: The crystal flutes used during the toast. They were run through the dish washer after the toast and put in gorgeaus organza bags with a Yankee candle wedding votive.

    Hate: Personalized useless cheap trinkets of any kind. Bells, swans, tacky pictures frames…they are all garbage.

    In my wedding we are giving Godiva chocolate boxes.

    http://www.godiva.com

    Good luck
    References :

    By Blunt on Jan 15, 2010

  18. Nothing particularly memorable. I’m more likely to keep it if it is something I will use (a heart-shaped cookie cutter), or something I can eat. I can’t imagine that many people are really interested in keeping a physical momento of someone else’s wedding. I throw away the trinkets (golf balls, candles, little carriages) or never even take them home.
    References :

    By ERK on Jan 15, 2010

  19. we got a set of really cute espresso cups. the bride and groom must have bought them wholesale somewhere.
    worst- those mints, cds, magnets, cheap frames
    References :

    By grenouille on Jan 15, 2010

  20. Best favor was a porcelain box filled with mints- it was white with a purple bow. LOVED it- keeps my rings and earrings in it until I broke it :( but I had since I was 7 so for 20 years until I broke it!!

    Love bottles of little wine and booze.

    OK- got a jar of honey, was nice and useful
    Candy goes in the OK- nothing special but heck I can eat it.

    HATE- ANYTHING Plastic- swans, bells…. HATE JUNK.
    Dollar store crap- YEAH we all know it came from the dollar tree!! CDs- Ok, it’s illegal and why do I want a cd of your favorite songs…. Like I am ever going to listen to the chicken dance or butterfly kisses one late night.

    I also HATE cookie cutters- I have 5 hearts and 3 daisy from weddings and showers— soo over done!!

    I am doing Pear candles which are sweet but I saw some nice rose ball candles at David’s bridal that were pretty cheap!!
    References :

    By bubbles on Jan 15, 2010

  21. Wine!!! I gave it out at my wedding and I have gotten it as a gift. It is great.

    Chocolate!! yummy.

    Anything edible.
    References :

    By JM on Jan 15, 2010

  22. I love the white plastic spoons with a hersheys kiss wrapped up in netting and a tag saying a spoonfulof kisses from the bride ad groom.I would toss the bubbles thats for kids,lol
    References :

    By blackprincess1967 on Jan 15, 2010

  23. the only favor I kept was the CD from my best friend’s wedding. it included songs that reflected them and their relationship. she and I have some similar tastes in music too. I usually keep it in my car.

    other than that, the best favor is something edible. candy, cookies, chocolates, etc.

    please nothing with your names and date on it (like shot glasses)
    References :

    By Maggiezine on Jan 15, 2010

  24. mini bottles of liqour was probably the best ive seen..we drank it..and then tossed..it was like the bride and groom buying you a shot

    ive also been to a wedding where they purchased as many drinks as people were attending the reception..and printed little notes that said good for one drink ..they had a cash bar..so that was nice

    match books are always good to get at a wedding..because who actually buys matches? they are good for throwing in a drawer just in case you need them some day
    References :

    By hi_iduntcyber_doyou on Jan 15, 2010

  25. We went to my fiance’s best man’s wedding 2 years ago and they had little porcelain jewelry dishes with gold trim. I took mine home and I use it all the time. I always put my earrings in it when I go to bed. I did, however see a lot of them left on the tables. I don’t think many people knew they were supposed to take them. They were kind of worked in with the table decor so they blended in. Not to mention, I’m sure none of the guys were interested in decorative jewelry dishes. We’re doing the plantable seed paper favors that double as escort cards so that even if people don’t take them home, they’ll get some use out of them since they’ll do double duty.
    References :

    By tehuskey513 on Jan 15, 2010

  26. Probably nothing. I usually just leave it, although I have taken centerpieces when offered.

    Seriously I’d skip it. It’s a waste of your time and precious resources. Pirated CDs, junk from the dollar store……the worst was flavored condoms from Planned Parenthood. Donations to charities are often highly political and offensive to some.

    People leave them too. Have a soup kitchen lined up for food favors.
    References :
    Can’t remember the last 10 favors I left.

    By sniffydogs on Jan 15, 2010

  27. I loved the favors at my wedding. We had an outdoor garden wedding. Our favors were small silver buckets w/planted rosemary. We attached a small note tied w/ribbon w/our names, date and the significance to rosemary and weddings. I don’t’ remember exactly what it said, but you can find something on line. Not only was it practical (our guest can replant at home) but it looked great on the table!
    References :

    By justjenn54321 on Jan 15, 2010

  28. Because I´ve never received a good favor, and I´ve been to A LOT of weddings, I decided to skip giving one when we got married two months ago.

    Remember, when planning a wedding, to KISS-keep it simple stupid!
    References :

    By Breezer on Jan 15, 2010

  29. Little bottles of wine or liquor – the ribbon had the bride and grooms’ name on it and the date … we tossed the ribbon and drank the wine lol

    Boxes of Godiva chocolate – if you want to personalize it, again use the personalized ribbon. Oriental Trading Company sells all sorts of stuff like that, cheap.

    Little bowls for candy or nuts … pleeeease don’t personalize them, then folks can’t use them at home.

    If you are using formal placecards, then personalize each favor to the person’s chair …. like the fold-up frame, with your pics on one side and a brief message on the other "Uncle Joe, thanks for being here today, you make it so special".
    References :

    By arewethereyet on Jan 15, 2010

  30. You would flag me if I answered…
    References :

    By jesus_on_a_pogo_stick on Jan 15, 2010

  31. The best gift for any wedding is love. It doesn’t cost a thing, and it’s the most valuable gift in the world.

    Little boxes with a heart on it, and a bow and ribbon. In it is a slip of paper that reads…"This box may seem empty…but it’s filled with love. Thank you for loving us…together"
    References :
    Personal experience. We’ve been together 38 years. And trust me…it grows.

    By cuballero1 on Jan 15, 2010

  32. Set up a huge candy bar with different types of candy, all kinds and get those chinese take out boxes in plain white and have the guest make their own.
    References :

    By Kara on Jan 15, 2010

  33. A BJ from one of the Bridesmaids.
    References :

    By jpndogg on Jan 15, 2010

  34. The best favor I’ve ever gotten was a tulip in a very classy clear square holder (vase). There was an unbudded seed and soil and it was wrapped in a very pretty white shimmery cloth and had the bride and groom’s name and date tied on the top. Its so versatile, it can be placed on your table, anywhere at home or office. Its a keeper.
    References :

    By vixen on Jan 15, 2010

  35. the best was an evergreen tree seedling planted in a tiny clay pot
    also good was a packet of seeds that said plant with the love you have witness today. the envelope was decorated and had the date and names
    the worst was little bells and dumb trinkets
    do something fun and your wedding/reception will be memorable for all involved
    g luck
    References :

    By sparkleplenny on Jan 15, 2010

  36. Why give your guests a ‘party favor’, unless your trying to impress them? This isn’t a child’s birthday party, after all. You’re already treating them by inviting them to a great party. Maybe I’d give a party favor if I had a Christmas party.One for kids, one for adults. What is it with weddings these days? I’m glad I didn’t feel that pressure when I got married.
    References :

    By Jennifer F on Jan 15, 2010

  37. I had gotten bubbles in a perfume bottle. It was perfect because after the bubbles were tossed out, I had a neat little bottle to stick my perfume in.
    References :

    By Bailey on Jan 15, 2010

  38. Well anything that they made them selfs or something that I could use if I can use it then its good but I went to this one wedding were they gave a spa gift card to all the females and a golf game to the guys it was really nice and like for about a month no one could get into the spa because everyone was useing there gifts
    References :

    By bubbly_tiffers on Jan 15, 2010

  39. I once got the Two Peas in a Pod Salt and Pepper Shakers. They are tiny and extremely cute. I still use them today. When company comes over, they love it. It’s a little pricey, but I think that people (like me) will keep them for a long time. I also like when people donate to a charity in their guests’ names. Why give the guests something they’ll toss after the weeding, when that money could be given to someone that really needs it? Imagine if every wedding in this country donated to a charity at least $50. It would really add up to something. And the person that said that he finds donating to a charity offensive and highly political is out of his mind. Who would find this offensive?? For example, what’s so political about donating to Make-A-Wish or St. Jude’s? Also, a good idea for someone that decides to donate, would be to also have some truffles or candy on the table for the guests. This way the guests are still getting something just for themselves.
    References :

    By Alizee on Jan 15, 2010

  40. Scratch tickets – no kidding! The groom was known for his love of gambling! It was so perfect!
    References :

    By oslomodo1 on Jan 15, 2010

  41. I also like the favors that are edible. One of my friends had caramel and candy apples at a fall wedding. I thought that was a cute idea. At our wedding we had espresso cups with small bags of coffee in them. The bag said "the perfect blend" with our names and the date. I know its a little cheezy but I loved them. I think that the favors are really mostly a simple thank you for coming to the wedding and they really can add a nice decrative touch or simply add a small reflection of the couples taste… which is of course important since its their special day. Good luck!
    References :

    By Green on Jan 15, 2010

  42. Personalized M&M’s with our names on them–they got eaten, not thrown away! :)
    References :

    By beetlejuice49423 on Jan 15, 2010

  43. My sister gave away small jars of homemade jellies and jams. Everyone loved them. She had grape jelly and strawberry jam in small jars with a ribbon and tag attached with a saying about life being sweet.
    References :

    By Vickie S on Jan 15, 2010

  44. Ideas for best wedding favors…
    1. Personalized deck of cards with the Bride and Groom’s names and wedding date. How many times have we all had company and were searching for that deck of cards?

    2. Jones Soda, which can be personalized…

    3. Hershey kiss roses, which can inexpensively made with supplies from your local floral supply.
    References :
    http://www.jonessoda.com

    By Deena R on Jan 15, 2010

  45. keep divorce papers
    References :

    By thomas p on Jan 15, 2010

  46. The best one ever was my friend’s wedding in Savannah. They had bought tins of lemon cookies that had a Savannah art print on it and just tied an organza bow on it. I still use the tin. The idea of a souvenir type item that was not personalized was what impressed me. That, and it having something edible in it!

    Candy is always nice, we got married in the spring so we got cheap little boxes, put a sticker on it (thanks for coming yada yada), and filled it with pastel M&Ms. They were all gone.

    We did bubbles, although I wasn’t too keen on it in the beginning (thought it was cheesy) but to my surprise everyone loved it, not just the kids, and the pictures with the bubbles turned out nice too.

    Just went to a wedding where they did the cookie cutter and recipe. But I don’t cook…they had a lot of those left over. Maybe no one else cooked that attended, either!

    No cheapie stuff, period.
    References :

    By LeaS on Jan 15, 2010

  47. We had a beach wedding and the reception was near by. We put small bowls with Beta fish in each on the tables. We told the guests that each family could take home one bowl if they liked. Some families didn’t want any and others wanted extra, but it all worked out and every fish was adopted. Some of my friends still have the fish over two year later! Many tell me they really loved this idea.

    As far as my personal favorite gift goes, the couple had a really nice picture of themselves with the date of the wedding under it at each person’s dinner place. I liked it because I used it in my Creative Memory book.
    References :

    By Rahrah on Jan 15, 2010

  48. I have received Seeds to plant in their honor and a tree sapling.
    I thought those were great not only were they good for the environment but I think of the couple and think of love every time I look at the flowers and the tree growing.
    I am kinda sentimental like that.
    References :

    By high_d75 on Jan 15, 2010

  49. These little "wedding cakes" from Godiva are the BEST favor that you can give at a wedding:

    http://www.godiva.com/catalog/product.aspx?id=1304&SE_Section=Shop&SE_Category=43
    http://www.godiva.com/catalog/product.aspx?id=1303&SE_Section=Shop&SE_Category=43

    They’re Godiva. Enough said.
    References :

    By Jaime-Lyn! on Jan 15, 2010

  50. At a wedding once, I received 4 hershey kisses (2 regular & 2 hugs) wrapped in tulle with a note tied to it with ribbon. The note said "Hugs & Kisses from the new Mr. & Mrs." I liked it because I could just eat them and be done with it. I didn’t have to worry about keeping a stupid favor out of guilt….I just ate the chocolate and was done with it :) It’s very inexpensive as well!
    References :

    By CherBear on Jan 15, 2010

  51. Honestly, I have never received a wedding favor I actually liked. They always get tossed right after the wedding. For our wedding, we didn’t have favors, and nobody missed it.
    References :

    By pascale_65 on Jan 15, 2010

  52. Personalized M&M candy–They came in the cutest tin can with the bride and grooms names on them.
    References :

    By EndlessLaughter on Jan 15, 2010

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