Gone are the days of simple church weddings. As anyone knows who’s recently watched a friend or family member tie the knot (or seen a bridezilla TV show), modern weddings are more elaborate, but often less formal, affairs. While celebrating love is the top priority, entertaining guests is a close second. Here’s your T&S manual for managing all those cousins and college roommates on your big day.
[guide your guests]
Destination weddings can add expense and hassle to an already costly, stressful planning process. Instead of trekking to faraway lands, many couples are turning their hometowns into exciting destinations for out-of-town guests. If you’re sticking around the Lou, make an itinerary highlighting the city’s must-sees, and maybe even arrange an excursion or two. What better way to keep your feuding uncles smiling than a trip to Ted Drewes?
[rethink the rehearsal dinner]
Once an intimate gathering for the wedding party, the rehearsal dinner has morphed into a pre-event extravaganza. Instead of having a stuffy supper, let guests loosen up at one of St. Louis’ professional sports stadiums. The special events coordinators at Busch Stadium report hosting five to 10 rehearsal dinners a year on non-game days, serving anything from stadium favorites to lobster. For a real crowd-pleaser, reserve a club level section of seats during a game and cheer on the team while enjoying beer and brats.
[revitalize the reception]
How to keep guests happy while the bride and groom make the rounds? Let them entertain themselves. Photo booths are popular, and bold couples have been known to offer everything from karaoke machines to mechanical bulls. Live entertainment is another strategy. A band is always fun, as are more unusual performers, like tarot readers and magicians. Adam Putnam, a Washington University grad student and strolling magician, says a prestidigitator is best booked during cocktail receptions or after dinner, when he or she can impress small groups of guests with sleight-of-hand or mind-reading tricks without interrupting a meal.
[forsake the cake]
In today’s casual world, formal equals fussy. More and more couples are turning down full-service, sit-down dinners in favor of reception food that’s a little more fun. Self-serve buffets are a hit with guests, from mashed potato bars to sundae creation stations. Cupcakes, pies and ‘candy bars’ often replace wedding cakes. Some couples even choose a visit from a food truck.
[arrange an after-party]
If your friends haven’t moved on—ahem, matured—from their college days, the end of your reception might be just the beginning of their evening out. Couples can plan post-party bashes, sometimes in a smaller room at their reception venue, for guests who want to dance long after Grandma is tucked into bed. If you anticipate being too tired to join them, call your favorite nearby bar and reserve a space for your buddies—and make sure to give them the cab company’s phone number.
By Rebecca Koenig
