subject: Tips on Planning a New Year's Eve Wedding [print this page] Tips on Planning a New Year's Eve Wedding
Want your wedding to be the event of the year? Consider having it on New Year's Eve!What better way is there to celebrate a new year than to get married while doing it? I've been to a New Year's wedding, and it was by far one of the coolest parties I've ever attended. It was elegant, fun, and the electricity in the air was palpable. If you're taking the plunge on one of the most exciting nights on the calendar, here are a few tips to help you plan a spectacular celebration.
Time
Many facilities book parties for this time of year, so be sure to establish your venue early. Planning your reception so that it falls over the midnight hour is also important - after all, what's the point in having a wedding on December 31st if you're not going to ring in the New Year with your guests? You can hold the ceremony around 7 or 8pm with the reception to follow. Don't feel obligated to feed your guests an entire meal at late hours, hors d'oeuvres work well, especially if they can be accessible throughout the night. Having a late evening wedding will also give you the opportunity to make it a black tie affair, and it's a fun excuse for your guests to dress up.
Color/Decor
When you think of a color scheme for a New Year's wedding it's likely you'll come up with black, silver and white. You can use a bold accent color, like red, pink or yellow to really add some punch. Red roses, amaryllis, pink orchids or yellow calla lilies in glass vases can add a lot of elegance to dinner tables. Balloons, streamers and confetti also work well with the theme. And don't forget the candlelight! There's something really romantic about New Year's Eve. Perhaps it's the tradition of having someone to kiss as the clock ticks midnight. Maybe it has more to do with one chapter closing and another beginning. Either way, it's all kind of dreamy and idealistic, and nothing screams romance like loads of candlelight.
Accessories
Adding sparkle to the little details, like your accessories, is a great way to accentuate a New Year's theme. Top your wedding cake with a Swarovski covered monogram topper and toast your marriage with crystal stem flutes. Popping in the glitz wherever possible will really add to the glamour of the night.
Favors
You can thank your guests with miniature bottles of champagne, wine stoppers or personalized glassware. For those on a tighter budget, consider calendars, fortune cookies, photo coasters or silver bells for your guests to ring at midnight. You can also set up a table with party hats and noise makers which they can use at the token hour.
Music
Current hits almost always fill a dance floor, so in keeping with the New Year's theme it's a fun idea to play popular music from the year you're closing. Don't forget to be sure your DJ has Auld Lang Syne to play at midnight. And if you're able, dance your "first dance" right after the new year while your guests hold sparklers. I've seen this done, and it was one of the coolest wedding moments I've ever witnessed.
With these tips and some creativity you can easily produce a magical night. New Year's Eve weddings have a truly special ambience. Starting a new year and a new life at the same time give both you and your guests an extraordinary reason to celebrate.
