As opposed to the de-rigueur of wedding banquets, which are often formal and structured occasions, it’s also common for couples to go with alternative celebrations that are more casual and customisable instead.
Here are a few easy things you can do for some casual, low-key fun.
Image: Munching Teo & Vincent Wang took a SMRT bus to their CHIJMES wedding!
1. Selfie booth instead of photo booth
Low-maintenance and budget-friendly, some couples are choosing to have a selfie booth instead of a professional photo booth.
Just create some props, a big enough frame and a wedding hashtag and you’re good to go. Plus, if you have one, using a Polaroid or Instax camera will add a fun analog touch to the booth.
2. A blank backdrop instead of a decorated backdrop
Creating a backdrop usually takes a lot of preparation so why not let your guests do it for your instead and have it doubled up as a guestbook of sorts?
Here’s what you need: A blank canvas of paper of fabric, markers, paint brushes, paint or any other tool you can think of and guests who are ready to scribble and create.
Image: Cheryl Lee & Justin Kwan acted out a skit of how they met.
3. Trivia night instead of photo montage
Trivia nights are always fun and best of all, you can set any questions you’d like. Creating a legitimate quiz might be time-consuming however.
If you don’t want to go down that route, you can always just change up the questions. Make them personal and relatable and test your friends on how well they know you!
Image: Rachel Lee & Marcus Tan kept the good times rolling at their after-party.
4. Dance floor and a DJ instead of live band performance
There’s no party like an after-party, and no after-party is complete without a dance floor.
No budget for an actual DJ? There’s always Spotify, or perhaps a friend who’s been taking up DJ courses as a hobby. Just press play on any club/edm playlist, and hopefully your guests will be sloshed enough by then to notice or care.
See also: 6 GREAT COST-FREE WEDDING IDEAS WE LOVE
Image: June & Choo Kiat prepared a DIY gin and tonic bar during their wedding dinner party.
5. Special cocktail mixers instead of wine
Have a special alcoholic concoction of your own? Or a cocktail that holds special meaning in your relationship? Why not share it with your guests? If it’s something you can make with your eyes closed, prepping it for your wedding wouldn’t be difficult if you’ve willing hands from your bridal party or friends.
My cousin had a special Sangria served at her wedding with her own recipe and it was so delish yet meaningful. I’ll always associate the taste of Sangria with the great memories from the wedding.
Image: Andie Chua and Mark Cheong played the wedding shoe game during their banquet.
6. Wedding games instead of table photos
By wedding games we mean games that don’t require too many props or things in place to execute. Popular games like the wedding shoe game don’t require anything that isn’t already at your venue.
What you do need is a fun emcee, an enthusiastic crowd, and the rest of it will play itself out.
7. Pet friendly instead of non-pet friendly
Pets make everything all the more wonderful. If your venue allows it, then including your furkids at your wedding will automatically qualify it as the best wedding of the year.
See also: 19 TRUTHS ONLY OTHER BRIDES WILL TELL YOU ABOUT THE WEDDING & AFTER