Awesome things I've seen at weddings in 2022!

Wedding season of 2022 is in full swing (which might explain why some of your suppliers are looking a little bedraggled behind the scenes… as well as it being the busiest wedding season in almost 40 years, we’ve also got heatwave after heatwave to contend with! Pray for us). Don’t think for one second, though, that we don’t love every minute of our jobs. Meeting awesome couples, seeing beautiful decorations and fabulous flowers, and hanging out in gorgeous locations all summer - it’s a tough job, but someone has to do it.

One of the things that really gets us through those long, hot days is seeing your guests (and the bride and groom of course!) having the absolute best time at the wedding. You can create some really special moments in the simplest of ways, and you can also have a lorra lorra fun by including some unique and entertaining touches for your guests too. I thought I’d give you a little look at some of the best things I’ve come across at weddings this year…

Sparklers & Smoke Bombs!

Photo: Becky Garland Photography

These are becoming a staple at many weddings, and when you see the professional photos you’ll soon understand why. I mean, just look at them!
If you’re looking for a way to get some super fun and colourful photos, to make a big entrance with your bridal party or for something a little different to do with your bridesmaids and groomsmen, this is the answer. Nobody has ever regretted getting these photos, I can guarantee. This awesome shot was taken by Becky Garland Photography.

Sparklers create such a magical atmosphere. At the end of a summer evening, it’s pretty special to gather everyone together and see the smiles on their faces as they become big kids again playing with their sparkles. This gorgeous snap was taken by JDS Weddings.​

Photo: JDS Weddings

​But in both cases, can I just say, please use them safely! There’s nothing scarier for guys like us than walking through rows of tipsy people holding flames and worrying about starting a fire in the field. Seriously. 
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Escape Room

Last week I was handed a list of suppliers for the upcoming wedding, and I saw the words ‘Escape Room’ on the page. I was excited, I was intrigued, but I was very confused. So picture this: a horsebox pulls up to your venue and as you step inside you see clues, puzzles, pictures and tasks for you to complete. The questions may be related to your bride and groom, the theme may have been tailored to fit the style of the day, and you’re competing in teams against the other wedding guests. You need to crack the codes to get yourselves out in record time. Tell me that doesn’t sound like something you immediately want to have a go at?!

This was provided by the awesome Game Lab - check them out here!

Photo from The Game Lab Facebook

Music & Spoken Word

I’ve seen an amazing array of musical talents performing at weddings this year - musical duos, buskers, live bands - but there was one wedding in particular where I had my eyes opened to a whole host of amazing possibilities I’d never considered before.
This couple wanted a relaxed, festival-style wedding with performances for their guests to enjoy all day long... but it wasn’t just your typical acoustic singalong. We had a ten-piece ukulele band, an elderly busker seen on the streets of Solihull, the groom himself even taking to the stage a few times! And the brilliant spoken word performer and poet Joe Cook came along and impressed us all with his work. An eclectic combination for a couple with such brilliant vision.

Ukulele band: Mosolele
Spoken Work: Joe Cook
Venue: Oakfield Gardens
Photos: Robin & Sarah Gillespie
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Campers, Buses & Booths

Wedding transport doesn’t have to be boring. And campers and cars don’t just have to be used in the ways that you’d expect them! This year I’ve seen (and had a go in!) some brilliant and beautifully-converted vans, cars and campers that are now used for photobooths, bars, drinks stations, games and all sorts of other weird and wonderful things! They look great at your venue and become a real talking point for your guests, plus you’ll be guaranteed to get some very memorable snaps with these sorts of props and costumes.

It began with gorgeous pink Birdie Campervan, who brought our lovely bride Beth to her weddings and then stayed around to entertain guests as a photobooth for the evening.

Photo: JDS Weddings

Any here's another gorgeous camper that's been given a new lease of life for weddings! This is Busography, and they create incredible photobooth experiences for your guests. And they're also the nicest guys you'll ever meet!

Photo from Busography Facebook

Singing Waiters

This is something else I’ve been seeing more and more of lately - and when they are done right they are nothing short of incredible! The element of surprise really adds something memorable to the day, and the quality of performances I’ve seen are actually pretty mindblowing! Not only do they make it cheeky, fun and personal but some of these guys have the best singing voices I’ve ever actually heard! They’ll interact with your guests, can be charming and hilarious, and will give a performance your guests will be talking about for years to come.

I had an amazing experience with The Singing Waiters and I'd recommend them to absolutely anyone!

Photo from www.singing-waiters.co.uk

Let me know what other epic things you're thinking of having at your weddings!