5 Unforgettable Wedding Ideas - that wont break the bank!
It amazes me how often couples decide against doing something truly unforgettable simply because they think it will be too expensive, without even checking the cost. I've looked into some of these options myself and was surprised by how affordable they were. I guarantee that guests still talk about each and every one of them because they were absolutely unforgettable!
Within This Day Photography
1 - HOT AIR BALLOON RIDES
When my couple told me they wanted a hot air balloon and a wedding theme to match, I was thrilled. It sounded amazing, and it was. I'd never thought of hiring a private hot air balloon for a personal event, so I had no idea what it would cost or where to start looking. I began by simply googling "hot air balloon rides near me." This led me to a local festival, some private tours, and a few places that were easy to email. Within a week, I found someone based just 15 minutes from my venue, and it cost less than $1,000. They even offered options for guests to take rides during cocktail hour!
Within This Day Photography
2 - HANDWRITTEN PERSONAL NOTES
TO EACH OF YOUR GUESTS
Kate Neal Photography
I know how tiring it can be to write heartfelt notes to each of your guests, including their plus ones. But I did it at my own wedding over 12 years ago, and people still talk about it as one of the most amazing things they've experienced at a wedding. This bride put them in the guests' place cards, while I included them with my favors, along with photos of my husband and/or me with that guest. It's a great way to remind guests why they're important to you, why it's so meaningful that they shared your special day, and it helps everyone stay present in the moment. I highly recommend doing this!
We Laugh We Love Photography
3 - CLASSIC ARCADE GAMES
It's rare for a couple to ask me for something I'm not 100% sure I can find for them. But when one of my grooms asked for arcade games at his wedding - in a pavilion, in the middle of the woods, in the Catskill mountains of Upstate New York - I had my doubts. Still, I got to work making some calls, and within three Google searches and two phone calls, I found them! I had several options to choose from. We went with a classic selection, including Pac-Man and some other old favorites, plus a pinball game. The total, including delivery, setup, and breakdown, came to $550. Every 90's kid's dream come true!
We Laugh We Love Photography
4 - FIRE PERFORMER
The hardest part of having a fire performer at your wedding is usually getting the venue to agree, due to liability concerns. However, with websites like GigSalad becoming popular in wedding planning, it's now easier to find skilled performers who do this type of work on the side. Many of them have insurance, which can put the venue's mind at ease. Plus, it's common for fire performers to have safety spotters who are experts in keeping the area around them safe. These performers are often skilled in using different props, such as staff, poi, dart, and devil sticks, which allows the performer to create a varied and entertaining show. This can give your guests a really special and memorable experience. We were able to find them for $900.
5 - A TRUE CLASSIC PHOTOBOOTH
Giddeon Photography
I've worked with many photo booth companies over the years. Most of them use 10x10 backdrops with a camera, either manned by a photographer or mounted on a tripod. However, the coolest one I've come across was provided by a company that bought out a classic booth company that went out of business decades ago. What makes their booth unique is that it still uses processing chemicals and dark room technology to develop film strips, just like in the 1950s when photo booths first emerged. Inside the booth, you can watch the processing take place behind a glass window. And the best part? They usually cost around $1,200, similar to modern photo booths. In fact, it's the most expensive option among the five I've listed.
Come up with a creative idea and look into it! You might be surprised by what you can find!!