Ways To Throw The Best Wedding Ever

But there's another goal at hand: throwing one seriously epic party that your guests will talk about for years to come. But how do you make your big day stand out amongst the throngs of weddings your family and friends have attended in the past? 

While there are many ways to upgrade the standard nuptials, we made a list of 20 easy ways you can get the party started (and continuing!) right.

To start, think about the wedding experience as a whole. Sure, your nearest and dearest are elated to watch you marry your longtime love, but sitting for an hour-long ceremony is not their idea of a celebration.

Remember that many of your guests have traveled to spend time with you, not watching you, so ensure the evening is interactive. This way they'll feel like an important part of the proceedings.

And while the night should certainly cater towards your preferences, think about the total experience for your guests, too. You may love soft jazz music, but that won't fill your dance floor, so consider those tunes for cocktail hour and have your DJ amp up the playlist after dinner.

To help you plan and execute the best wedding ever, we outlined 20 sure-fire tips that will leave your guests impressed. We promise, including even just a handful of these standout ideas will turn your wedding day into an event to remember.

Keep Your Ceremony Brief

Don't get us wrong, your friends and family are present at your big day to see you get married — but no one wants to watch a drawn out ceremony. Keep the actual proceedings (not including entrances and exits) around 20 minutes so you won't lose anyone's attention.

Choose a Personalized Program

While we're on the topic of the ceremony, don't forget about creating a wedding program. By personalizing this piece of stationery with interesting details about you and your groom, a breakdown of the ceremony's proceedings, and any important information they should know (like a translation of traditional vows or that you'd prefer photos aren't taken) you'll capture their attention and get all of those key details across. Plus, it will keep them busy if the event runs a little late.

Use a Wedding App or Hashtag

There are many great wedding apps to choose from for your big day. Some interactive apps allow guests to upload wedding photos into one curated place, while others keep your friends and family up on any wedding-related news. Want something even easier? Create clever hashtag and ask guests to tag all of their photos using it.

Give Out-of-Town Guests a Welcome Basket

Whether you're hosting a destination wedding or a hometown bash, some of your guests had to travel to be a part of your big day. To show your appreciation, give welcome bags for guests staying at hotels.

Include a few snacks, bottles of water, and a list of local resources, like the nearest drug store, restaurants and coffee shops, plus any nearby attractions. If you're able to splurge, throw in a bottle of wine, tasty local treats like an artisanal cheese or candy, and a guidebook.

Greet Each Guest

It may sound obvious, but it's important to personally greet each and every guest at your wedding. Once the celebration is underway do your best to spend time with each person — whether that means chatting over a cocktail, visiting their table at dinner, or letting loose on the dance floor.

Create a Well-Planned Seating Chart

It doesn't matter if your reception dinner will be a buffet, plated meal, or family-style servings: A smart seating chart is vital to ensuring your guests have a good time. Try to group people together with similar backgrounds and interests, so they'll have something to talk about even if they've never met before.

Splurge on the Open Bar

While open bars can be pricey, there are ways to make it work on any budget. Consider offering just beer and wine or a few cocktail options if you need to cut back, but don't ask family and friends to open their wallets.

Have a Signature Cocktail

Speaking of cocktails, serve one or two delicious customized drinks. It'll offer you a huge savings if you forgo a full bar, and it makes your reception feel so personal. You and your groom should each pick a concoction, but try to select drinks that are palatable for a wide array of people.

Make Sure Your Guests Are Comfortable

No matter what time of year you're tying the knot, it's important to think about what your guests might need to stay comfortable throughout evening. That may mean offering wraps, parasols, or flip-flops.

Design a Lounge Area

Not every guest will want to dance all night. In fact, some may not want to hit the dance floor at all. Although reception tables are a fine place for friends and family to chat, offering a designated seating area is a nice touch. Lower the music, provide comfy chairs, and this will be a detail many guests will love.

Keep Speeches Short

Speeches are a necessary component of any wedding, but it's important to ensure they don't drag on for too long. Keep the toast brief — no matter than a few minutes per person — and have your DJ or bandleader prepared to make tasteful cut-offs.