The key elements of a wedding are what everyone wants to see. Get these right, and people will be talking about your wedding for years to come – because that’s what you want, right?! Your guests to actually enjoy your day! Especially after all of the time, effort and money you’ve put into it!

So what are these super important factors and how can you make sure that you get each one right? Well, we of course are here to help you with that!

Want to know what really happens on a wedding day? Find out here!

Food

This has to be number 1 when it comes to key wedding elements!! Bad food?? People will be talking about this for years to come! We ALWAYS remember bad food! Not only bad food, but not enough food! So make sure you aren’t just going for the cheapest caterer, but making sure you are tasting their offering before you sign the contract, and checking those all-important testimonials.

It’s also key to think about timings. If you are getting married at 12/1pm, people will be leaving their houses or accommodation before lunch, so they are going to be very hungry when the drinks reception rolls around! So make sure you stock up on those canapes. And
yes! People do want them! We’ve even seen couples opt for charcuterie tables or ice cream vans instead of or alongside the canapes. Sweet tables are also always a hit!

Food is also a great place to add personality. Don’t just stick with a plated 3 course meal, with a crowd-pleasing menu, pick something that is you and that you love! If you have different cultures in your families, tie those in and add your family’s heritage into the menu. As a standard, you need to think about food during drinks reception, dinner and late-night snacks or evening food. Better to be over catered than under! People will never forget a wedding which has an endless supply of good food!

And please stop sitting guests down, then making them wait for food when they are hungry to do your speeches…..

Booze

There are various parts to this subject that come to mind which are key wedding elements. Having enough, having a good choice, cost, and just general bar logistics. So let’s start with having enough….perhaps your venue has this covered, but if you have decided to provide your own drinks, you must make sure you have enough bought for your catering or bar company to serve. If your venue or bar company is sorting, you will most likely be offered a drinks package, and this is key for your guest experience. Don’t offer them any drinks? They will remember this! The standard is a couple of drinks during the drink’s reception, half a bottle of wine per person, and a glass of fizz to toast. If you then decide to have a pay bar where guests buy their own drinks, at least you’ve covered their drinks during the day time.

Choice is also key on the bar, without feeling like you need to have too much selection! Cocktails are very popular right now and a crowd pleaser! Wine, a couple of beer options, a couple of spirit options, and a couple of cocktails works well.

Cost is vital and a key wedding element! I’ve been to some beautiful weddings, but the price of the bar is extortionate! This is what your guests remember and is all part of their experience! So make sure to check bar prices before confirming your bar company or venue!

Bar logistics are also a key wedding element. From how many staff so your guests aren’t queuing, to making you’re your bar company actually include glass collecting as a service (yes, this is a thing that some don’t offer!) so your venue isn’t full of dirty glasses on every surface!

Music/Entertainment

Bad DJ or band? Bad wedding vibes! You want someone who gets you, your vibe, and will keep people on the dancefloor! Entertainment is so important and is a key wedding element! Meet with your band or DJ before you book them, to really make sure they are going to provide what you are looking for. Make sure you are thinking through the full flow of the day, and putting in entertainment where needed. The drinks reception is a key time for entertainment, but it could just be something minor like lawn games, a photo booth, or food that is interactive. Even just
making sure you’ve curated a great playlist!

You Having A Good Time

This is also such a key wedding element, and one people rarely talk about. It may seem strange, but if you aren’t having a good time, or feel stressed, or you’re looking around the room trying to spot small details which aren’t going your way, guests will notice and it will
rub off on them!

My advice on this one? Make sure you have good suppliers, and put your trust in them to make sure the day runs as needed. Things such as timings will change on the day, but they
will amend as they see fit, as they are the professionals! A must have key wedding element is also a wedding co-ordinator. If you have a lot of moving parts to the day – going from venue to venue, or if you have a dry hire venue or a marquee on land, where there is no co-ordinator, this is a must have! You can find out about our on the day co-ordination service here.

Got those four keys wedding elements? You’re on to a winner of a day! Want to plan the best wedding, need help, and love listening to podcasts? Check out Let’s Get You Wed – available on all major podcast platforms!