The Knot gives 17 Luxe Destination Wedding Touches. Here are a few of our favorite high-impact ideas:
Hand-delivered Items
Instead of sending your invitations through the mail, have them personally delivered. Hire a messenger service to distribute invitations affixed to mini bottles of champagne. Don’t have the budget for bubbly? Send a rose or an orchid along with your invite instead. Or, deliver a signature bloom to female guests on the day of the wedding, and suggest they wear it attached to their hair, pinned to their dress, or tied to their bag.
Dramatic Tents
When it comes to tented weddings, guests never know what to expect inside. Take advantage of this opportunity for drama and bring the indoors outside. Mix formal furnishings such as silk fabric drapings, chandeliers, and couches with nature-inspired elements like potted plants and ivy overlays. A clear-top tent makes this contrast even more extravagant — elegant.
Wardrobe Change
Brides, make a grand entrance not once, but twice. Take a cue from some Asian and Indian brides who wear one gown for their traditional ceremony and another for their Western ceremony, and incorporate an outfit change into your own celebration. Wear one dress as you come down the aisle, and then switch into something more svelte and party friendly (and maybe not even white) after your first dance.
A Waldorf bride prepares for 8 shoe changes.
Video Booth
Have your videographer create a candid camera area (he may need an assistant for this) where guests can take it upon themselves to record a message to the newlyweds. Relieve their pressure to find the perfect words by setting up a fishbowl filled with conversation starters like “When did you first meet?” and “What’s the groom’s favorite food?”
Chic Table Settings
Typically, centerpieces are the focal point of a reception table. But the best ones — which aren’t necessarily the biggest ones — work with the whole table setting. Pump up your wow factor with tablecloths in interesting patterns like stripes, toile, or gingham; glass chargers in bold colors; or stylish seats like white chiavari chairs with brightly colored seat cushions or vivid chiavari chairs with matching seat cushions.
Waldorf Astoria Orlando Table Setting
Interactive Cocktail Hour
The best weddings are those where guests seem to really get along. Encourage mingling by scribing on the backs of escort cards fun directions like “Ask Grandma Pat about her famous apple pie” and “Ask the best man about Miami.” It’s the perfect icebreaker for your cocktail hour.
See the rest of their tips here.
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Waldorf Astoria Orlando was recently featured in Bridal Guide magazine.
Brie, 30, is well-known in Orlando’s power circles as Mayor Buddy Dyer’s former chief of staff. The mayor and his wife, attorney Karen Dyer, hosted a cocktail reception for wedding guests the night before the ceremony at the Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek.
Destination: Orlando Weddings 