5 Unexpected Ways to Elevate Your Wedding Experience

At Jamison + Tania Events, we believe your wedding should feel like you, unique, memorable, and above all, fun. Whether you’re planning a luxury destination wedding or an intimate celebration close to home, adding interactive and personalized touches can turn your big day into an unforgettable experience.

Here are 5 creative ways to elevate your wedding day that your guests will rave about long after the last dance:

1. Party Animal of the Night

Every great party needs a hype person. Designate one of your guests as the Party Animal of the Night with a playful accessory like a wild hat, custom sunglasses, or a sash. This person’s job is to get the dance floor going, encourage toasts, and keep the energy up. It’s a great photo opportunity and a fun way to include someone with a big personality.

Pro Tip: Let your photographer know ahead of time so they can capture all the spontaneous moments this honorary guest helps create.

2. Table Talkers for Cocktail Hour

Want to get guests mingling? Add Table Talkers with fun prompts to each cocktail table. Think Would You Rather questions, mini dares, or trivia about the couple. These simple conversation starters are perfect for breaking the ice, especially when guests may not know each other well.

Example:

Would you rather have cake for breakfast every day or champagne with every meal?

Who made the first move — the bride or the groom?

3. Experiential Entertainment

Go beyond the standard DJ and wow your guests with experiential entertainment. A few of our favorite ideas:

• Live musicians to bring ambiance to your ceremony or dinner hour. Think string quartets, jazz trios, or acoustic guitarists.

• A strolling champagne skirt — a model gliding through cocktail hour offering bubbly from a wearable skirt.

• A champagne pouring aerialist who flips upside down and fills flutes from the sky. It’s absolutely unforgettable.

These immersive touches create visual moments and keep guests engaged from start to finish.

4. Surprise Late Night Treats

Just when guests think the party is winding down, surprise them with a nostalgic or indulgent late night snack. From donut walls to In N Out pop ups or a gourmet coffee and cookie bar, this is one detail that never goes unnoticed.

Need ideas? We love pairing a cozy treat like hot churros with personalized coffee cups featuring your wedding hashtag.

5. Custom Guest Audio Guestbook or Video Confessional Booth

Replace or complement the traditional guestbook with a voice or video confessional booth. Guests can leave sweet or hilarious messages that you’ll cherish forever. Audio guestbooks are easy to set up, and video confessionals add another level of personality to your wedding keepsakes.

At Jamison + Tania Events, we specialize in crafting one of a kind weddings with thoughtful details and imaginative design. Whether you’re dreaming of an epic party or a sentimental celebration, we’ll guide you every step of the way.

Let’s make your day unforgettable.

Based in Southern California | Planning Worldwide Weddings

jamison@jamisonandtaniaevents.com

Follow us on Instagram @jamisonandtaniaevents

Hosting a Wedding Weekend

Sometimes one day wedding isn't enough! If you have a lot of out-of-town guests OR just want to make your wedding a really fun memory, consider hosting a wedding weekend.

Now you may be wondering — what IS a wedding weekend & how much is this going to cost me? Everyone’s wedding budget looks a bit different, but for suggestions on all inclusive resorts/venues here in California, check out these package options:

• Twenty Mile House (one of our couples got married HERE!)

• Gardener Ranch

• Kennolyn Stone Creek Village

• Harvey House

• Sacred Mountain Julian

• Silverado Resort in Napa

Inviting Guests to Your Wedding Weekend

On the invitations, if not everyone is involved to a particular event, do not include it on your website or invitations. Offer personal invites to events that certain guests are invited to and make sure they know it’s not an open event. This will cut opportunities for any hurt feelings.

After handling all your invites— what does a wedding weekend timeline look like & what kind of events do you add? If you REALLY want to make your wedding weekend EPIC, pay attention to these tips:

Your Wedding Weekend Timeline

Photo: from BRIDES

1.Host a Welcome Party

This could be elaborate (catered with decor) or small (park and BBQ) but will kick off your weekend and welcome guests. A rule of thumb - the welcome party is typically separate from your rehearsal dinner/lunch, but it can be any time the day-before your wedding. Just don’t cram all these events together.

Another helpful tip: if the Welcome Party is the night before, don’t go TOO late! This ensures your guests are not too tired/hungover for the Wedding Day. 

Photo: by Pigeon Forge

2. Plan an activity or excursion

From hanging by the resort pool to axe throwing to river rafting — we have seen our Couples plan amazing activities that create memories!

Tip: Do this at least 2-3 days before your wedding to ensure everyone has recovered from the day for your wedding day. 

Photo: by Composing Reality Photography

3. Wedding Afterparty!

If you are at a resort or need to end before 10pm on your wedding day, you might consider an after- party. First, take a good look at your guest list to determine if this is something your crowd would be into. Secondly, choose a location that isn’t too far away from your venue (such as a nearby bar, house, etc.)

Photo: from Restaurant Clicks

4. Day-After Brunch

The day after your wedding, if you are wanting to spend extra time with your guests (especially those out of town people you don’t see very often), a day-after brunch is a great way to “thank” your guests for a great weekend. You’re going to want to plan brunch for after around 9:30am (no one wants to jump out of bed the day after a wedding).

Photo: from iStock

Tip: Plan to head off to your honeymoon/night away after your brunch.

Lastly, make sure to do all wedding activities prior to your wedding day and plan for one-on-one moments during & after your wedding day. This will make it feel like a genuine celebration.