What to have at your Over-The-Top wedding.

Splurge on the Open Bar

While open bars can be pricey, there are ways to make it work on any budget. Consider offering just beer and wine or a few cocktail options if you need to cut back, but don’t ask family and friends to open their wallets.

Have a Signature Cocktail

Speaking of cocktails, serve one or two delicious customized drinks. It’ll offer you huge savings if you forgo a full bar, and it makes your reception feel so personal. You and your partner should each pick a concoction, but try to select drinks that are palatable for a wide array of people.

Make Sure Your Guests Are Comfortable

No matter what time of year you’re tying the knot, it’s important to think about what your guests might need to stay comfortable throughout the evening. That may mean offering wraps, parasols, or flip-flops.

Design a Lounge Area

Not every guest will want to dance all night. In fact, some may not want to hit the dance floor at all. Although reception tables are a fine place for friends and family to chat, offering a designated seating area is a nice touch. Lower the music, provide comfy chairs, and this will be a detail many guests will love.

Keep Speeches Short

Speeches are a necessary component of any wedding, but it’s important to ensure they don’t drag on for too long. Keep the toasts brief—no more than a few minutes per person—and have your DJ or bandleader prepared to make tasteful cut-offs.

Ask for Song Requests

Want to know the best way to get your guests out on the dance floor? Play the songs they actually want to hear. Have your DJ make an announcement that they’ll be taking requests and watch the dance floor fill up when a crowd favorite comes on.

Create a DIY Bar

Whether it’s an outdoor cigar bar, a build-your-own-biscuits bar during cocktail hour, or a sundae bar at dessert, your guests will love making (and eating) their own treats.

Have Phone Charging Stations

Offering charging stations is a very kind way to show guests you care about their personal needs. Plus, if you want to see tons of Instagram photos of your amazing reception, your friends and family will need battery life. Tuck them away near the bathroom or entrance. (Don’t forget to include a sign with your hashtag too.)

Play Wedding Games

When guests need a break from dancing, what’s more fun than an interactive game? Options like bocce ball, oversize Jenga, and backgammon are fun ways to get your friends and family to interact with each other.

Serve Late-Night Snacks

Yes, you’re having dinner and dessert, but those are typically devoured hours before the reception actually ends. And with couples extending their parties later and later, it’s likely that more than just a few of your guests will be thinking of a tasty late-night snack. Have your caterer bring out handheld options like sliders and fries, mini grilled cheeses, or coffee and donuts about an hour before the reception ends to revive revelers.

Give a Favor People Will Use

Trust us, people don’t want a framed photo of you and your new spouse. If you’re going to spend the money on favors, select something your guests won’t leave on the table. Mini bottles of bubbly, a yummy snack like cookies or popcorn, or a treat they can enjoy once back at home like jam or syrup are all crowd-pleasers.