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Our DIY Wedding Reception: A Party to Remember

Welcome to the next installment in Our DIY Wedding series.
To start at the beginning, click here.

Creative ideas for how to incorporate rip-roaring dancing, heartfelt moments, and handmade touches into your DIY wedding reception...to make it a party to remember!

It’s July 18th, 2009.  The time: approximately 11:30 a.m.  Lauren and Mark have said their wedding vows, exchanged rings, and have been pronounced man and wife.  They scurry downstairs to dig their toes in the sand as their first act as a married couple.  Their photographer, Emily, follows close behind and captures these moments: the dip kiss under the boardwalk…standing on the surfboard…dancing on the beach.

Dancing on the sand....  During the limbo between ceremony and reception.

Upstairs, the wedding guests mingle and enjoy light refreshments.  Pink lemonade.  Bruschetta.  (That sort of thing.)  It’s the time of limbo in between ceremony and reception.  Little do they all know how this reception is about to bust out into full on dance party.  And yes, it’s only 11:30 a.m.

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Now, when Mark and I were planning our wedding, we really wanted to make the most of this four hour block where all of our favorite people were gathered in one place.  And looking back, I can draw out three main ways we attempted to do that:

  • rip-roaring music
  • heartfelt moments
  • handmade touches

Now, I realize very few of you are planning a wedding reception right now, but perhaps you can apply some of these ideas toward your next party…however great or small.  Why not attempt to make every party a party to remember, right?

Rip-Roaring Music

Mark and I decided to employ the element of surprise with our first dance together.  The song?  Why none other than the classic 80s love ballad, “Total Eclipse of the Heart.”  We began it with very melodramatic ballroom dance moves…and then as soon as the surprise techno beat kicked in, our wedding party flooded the dance floor like it was Studio 54!  The photo story of that song playing out is one of my favorite spreads from our wedding album:

You can really set the tone for your reception with the first dance....  And offer a little entertainment by employing the element of surprise!

Just because I was in a wedding dress doesn’t mean I wasn’t going to tear it up on the dance floor.  That’s what a bustle is for, right?

One of the many D.I.Y. elements of our reception was our music playlist!  I compiled some of my favorite tunes to dance to and entrusted it in the very capable hands of my dear friends Jesse and Chad, who stepped up to play the roles of D.J. and emcee.  (Thanks again, guys!)

Our DIY Wedding Reception: Dear friends playing the role of DJ and emcee!

So, to help set the mood for this look back at our wedding reception, I have 15 of my favorite tunes from that playlist for you to get your ears on.  And I give you complete permission to stop reading at any point in order to have a spontaneous dance party in your living room…at your desk…in the elevator.  In fact, I dare you.

And because they’re some of my favorite photos from the reception, here are just a few more snapshots of the joy bomb that was the dance floor that day:

Our DIY Wedding Reception by the Sea: A Party to Remember...especially thanks to the rockin' dance floor!

Our DIY Wedding Reception by the Sea: A Party to Remember...especially thanks to the rockin' dance floor!

Our DIY Wedding Reception by the Sea: A Party to Remember...especially thanks to the rockin' dance floor!

Our DIY Wedding Reception by the Sea: A Party to Remember...especially thanks to the rockin' dance floor!

Our DIY Wedding Reception by the Sea: A Party to Remember...especially thanks to the rockin' dance floor!

Mom & Dad | The Thinking Closet

Our DIY Wedding Reception by the Sea: A Party to Remember...especially thanks to the rockin' dance floor!

Our DIY Wedding Reception by the Sea: A Party to Remember...especially thanks to the rockin' dance floor!

Our DIY Wedding Reception by the Sea: A Party to Remember...especially thanks to the rockin' dance floor!

Heartfelt Moments

Parent-Child Dances

Some of the sweetest dances of the day were definitely the father-daughter and mother-son dances.  My dad and I danced to Chrisette Michele’s “Your Joy” (make sure you have tissues nearby if you listen to this one).  And Mark and his mom danced to “You Raise Me Up” by Josh Groban, the lyrics of which were so deeply significant, especially after some health trials from that year.

Father-Daughter Dance and Mother-Son Dances at our DIY Wedding Reception

Speeches

If you ever need wedding speech coaching, just reach out to my father, sister Lisbeth, and brother-in-law Todd.  Seriously.  They had the perfect blend of touching reflections and laugh-out-loud humor…as evidenced by these photos!

Reactions to the heartfelt speeches at our DIY Wedding Reception

Our DIY Wedding Reception: Heartfelt Speeches by my Father, Sister, and Brother-In-Law

Bouquet Toss Alternative

While there were many classic wedding traditions we decided to embrace, we also thought it’d be fun to start some new ones!  So, instead of doing the bouquet toss and garter fling combo, we decided to celebrate our guests in another way.  I decided to give away my bouquet to one special couple…and to determine that couple, I had everyone who was married hold up their “happy hands” and then I said, “Put your hands down if you’ve been married 1 year or less…5 years or less…10 years or less…” and so on, until I hit the big 60 years.  And the only ones with their hands still waving were my Mor Mor and Pop Pop.  I just may have had a hunch it would be them.

A creative and heartfelt alternative to the bouquet and garter toss!

Here I am giving my bouquet to my grandmother.  I can’t think of a more fitting recipient.

A creative and heartfelt alternative to the bouquet and garter toss!

 Photo Slideshow

My sweet friend and bridesmaid Gianna (yep, the same Gianna of subway art and baby shower gift package fame) gave us the incredible wedding gift of a photo slideshow.  It spanned from our childhoods all the way through our dating relationship, which as you can imagine was no small feat.  Here’s one of my favorite photos where you can just see the elation on our faces as we watched the slideshow for the very first time along with our wedding guests:

Enjoy the photo slideshow at our wedding reception.

Enjoy the photo slideshow at our wedding reception.

Enjoy the photo slideshow at our wedding reception.

Handmade Touches

Shell Place Cards

My Mom and I felt like we hit the jackpot when we discovered a sweet deal on these faux sand-dollars and starfish at the local Christmas Tree Shop.  We bought out the store and then transformed them into place cards for our guests.  They were just so befitting of our beach setting…plus we loved the idea of guests being able to take them home as a souvenir.

Seashell Place Cards: Perfect for a beach wedding.  Makes a great souvenir for wedding guests, too!

Seashell Place Cards: Perfect for a beach wedding.  Makes a great souvenir for wedding guests, too!

Table Numbers

For a creative take on table numbers, Mark and I did a photo shoot with fun poses along with each table-number printed on 8.5″ x 11″ paper.  I remember we were racing the setting sun while using a tripod and the timed photo feature since this was a last minute idea on one of my trips out to Ohio (remember, we were long distance for our entire dating relationship…which made wedding planning a bit tricksy at times).  But I think our sense of urgency made for some really wacky and memorable photos!

A creative take on table numbers for a DIY wedding!

Our Platter Guest Book

We decided to go a more unconventional route with our guest book and had our guests sign ceramic serving platters that we later had glazed and made food-safe!  This was one of those D.I.Y.s I wanted to do myself but ended up having my Mom take care of in those final weeks before the wedding because…ain’t no bride got time for that!  (Mom saves the day yet again.  Thanks, Mom!)

Have guests sign ceramic platters as a "guest book."  Just have it glazed and fired after the wedding to make it food-safe...and then smile every time you serve a special dish!

And I can attest 5 years later, we use these platters anytime we host, and I love looking at the signatures tucked beneath the celery and carrots we serve.  It slaps a silly smile on our faces every time!

Have guests sign ceramic platters as a "guest book."  Just have it glazed and fired after the wedding to make it food-safe...and then smile every time you serve a special dish!

Stamp Flag Cupcake Toppers

For our wedding cupcakes, I dug out my Pop Pop’s vintage stamp collection, employed a team of willing helpers, and we created a ton of stamp flag cupcake toppers!

Stamp Flag Cupcake Toppers!  A great way to showcase a vintage stamp collection at a wedding or special event.  You can choose stamps of a particular color scheme to unite them.

Here they are on their tiered display.  Do you like the beach vignette we added around the base?  That’s not sand you see there….

Stamp Flag Cupcake Toppers! A great way to showcase a vintage stamp collection at a wedding or special event. You can choose stamps of a particular color scheme to unite them.

…but brown sugar!  And I ordered some dollhouse furniture on etsy for the Adirondak chair and fence.

For a beach wedding, use brown sugar and dollhouse furniture to create a little "beach display" around your cake or cupcakes!

Speed-tutorial courtesy of bridesmaid and super-friend, Becky:

  • Sort your stamps. Separate your stamps into piles of identical size. If you’re using old postage stamps, you can also sort them by color.
  • If you have color-sorted your stamps, decide if you want the front and back of each flag to match or contrast.
  • Select two stamps of identical size.
  • Use a square of double-sided tape to affix them together, attractive sides out.
  • Apply a thin line of hot glue just inside the two stamps, along the left of your “front” stamp.
  • Immediately place a toothpick inside, on top of the hot glue, long surface down.
  • Let the hot glue cool. You’re finished!

Our DIY Wedding Reception and all of the love behind the scenes that went into making our big day so special!

Candy Station

I had the hardest time coming up with a good wedding favor.  I must have considered 100 different options before we finally settled on a candy station, which was a perfect fit for our beachy boardwalk setting, especially in such a historic part of the Jersey shore.  And leave it to Willy Shakespeare to have the perfect quote for the occasion!  (Though I have to confess, it’s taken completely out of context and comes from a rather morbid scene from Hamlet.  Phew. Glad to get that off my chest!)

"Sweets to the Sweet" Candy Station: A Fun Party Favor for Wedding Guests!

I think Sam approves.

"Sweets to the Sweet" Candy Station: A Fun Party Favor for Wedding Guests!

Looking back….

There are so many little wedding planning details when it comes to your big day, especially for the reception: centerpieces, seating arrangements, linen colors, menu planning.  But these things aren’t really essential to a rockin’ reception.  In truth, most people won’t remember those details.  So, don’t stress about the red sauce or the white sauce.

Actually, when I asked Mark about it last night, he said, “If you’re planning a reception, don’t think about the kind of reception you want to plan…think about the kind of wedding reception you want to attend.”  And I’m quoting him on that because I couldn’t have said it better myself.

Our DIY Wedding Reception by the Sea via thinkingcloset.com

The Grand Finale

Well, friends, it has been a blast reliving our wedding in this way, lemmetellya.  Thanks for being our virtual wedding guests five years later!

And now, I send you off to the final installment of this year-long series:

10 Lessons I Learned from Planning My Own Wedding

10 Lessons I Learned From Planning My Own Wedding. Hindsight is 20/20, right? So, if you can learn from my mistakes and takeaway from my tips, my hope is that you'll be able to truly enjoy the planning process and remember with fondness your special day.

{Linking up here.}

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19 Comments

  1. Thanks for taking me back to your wedding day and letting me savor the wedding ceremony (earlier post) and reception. When they actually took place time went by so quickly. Though I did try to be present, in some ways it was a bit of a blur, so this is a wonderful way to go back and re-live that special day! Happy 5th anniversary! One of my favorite things at the reception was your father-daughter dance to the song, Your Joy. I had never heard it before and it made me very teary-eyed. Of course your dad, Lisbeth, and Todd’s speeches were also highlights, and Mark’s dance with his mom! Your friends and all of our family and friends made it a day to always treasure and remember. God bless your marriage for now and always! <3 <3 <3

  2. hey lauren. met you at Haven and thought your biz card was so creative so I wanted to stop by your blog to say hello. what a beautiful day you guys had. your pictures really capture the love that was in the room that day. I love weddings so I am gonna go look at your other posts . congrats on your upcoming anniversary and to your grandparents and their amazing 60 years together!

  3. Well, I have to say, I let out a small squeak of terror when I saw what you did with those old stamps… THEY BELONG IN AN ALBUM, WOMAN! But then everything else was so sweet and wonderful, I got over it (almost). What amazing memories you have hear, and everyone just looks so overjoyed, it’s magical. Can’t wait for the final post, although I will be really sad that it’s all over. xx

  4. Oh my… talk about tears in my eyes as I read this post!!! So sweet, and Alex happened to be sitting right next to me during it, commenting on how lovely your photos are and how much you and your sister look alike! I was all like, “yeah, that’s Lisbeth, her little sister and these are her parents…” as if I know them or something! HA! Anyway, you guys obviously had the coolest wedding ever and I have no doubts all of your guests felt the same way!

  5. What an honor to be let in on your very special wedding! I love all those personal, special touches you added in……….yes, a wedding celebration many will never forget. God bless you both………

  6. Your reception looks like a blast. I had a DIY wedding myself!! So much work, but so worth it in the end right? Congratulations btw. I would love it if you linked this up to my Motivate Me Monday linky party at IT’S A ginger SNAP.

  7. What lovely photos and a beautiful wedding. I was just scrolling down enjoying all the loveliness and then you made me cry! Giving your bouquet to your Nan and that gorgeous photo of you together. Either I’m a bog old softy or that is really beautiful – a bit of both I think!
    Though I must ask, how long did you make your poor grandparents hold their hands up for? I hope you whizzed though the numbers pretty quickly!

  8. Lauren – I love that you presented your bouquet to your grandmother! I did the same thing at my own wedding! I had two toss bouquets made up and we presented them to our grandmothers with a small speech… it was such a nice way to honour their long and happy marriages. Plus, I’ve never been a big fan of the bouquet toss. If you’ve ever seen the episode of Sex and the City where the bouquet falls to the floor in front of the four girls- that sums up exactly how I feel. I’m not wrestling someone to the ground for an old bunch of flowers! 🙂

  9. Wow, Lauren, you really captured the fun and meaningfulness of the our reception/party, with this combination of carefully chosen photos and words. Dancing that day was definitely one of the highlights of my life. Thanks for immortalizing it. Well done!

  10. Lauren, your reception looks like it was a truly special, rip-roaring time! Your handmade & sentimental touches, like giving your bouquet to your grandma (tear!) and using your Pop Pop’s vintage stamps, just make it that much more special!

    Can’t wait for the last installment, but, truth be told, I’ll be sad that the wedding is over! haha!

  11. Lauren, I think your reception came out beautifully. In fact, I think everything came out amazing! The amount of heart that you put into your wedding every step of the way really shines through. I love Mark’s advice as well. I have to admit though, were I to plan the reception I wanted to attend, It would be with a bunch of friends and few board games. 😉 I tend to be a bit of a loner at heart. (Shocking, I know). Instead, we planned the type of reception that we thought would reflect who we truly were. I think it worked well for us, and clearly even if you weren’t thinking about it, you did the same. Much love to you and Mark from Earl and me. Thanks for sharing your amazing and inspiring journey with us, not just through your wedding posts, but through your entire blog. 🙂

  12. Congratulations on your gorgeous Wedding Lauren after five years I hope there are many more years of happiness to you both and I had to stop stumbling and read 🙂

  13. I loved reading this and seeing all your photos Lauren! We’re in full blown wedding mode right now. My daughter is getting married on July 19th (the day after your anniversary!) so we’re in crunch time. Most of their planning has been DIY too although they splurged on the venue and caterer. I think all the little touches will really make the day and set the mood though! I loved your idea about choosing three moments to really take-in and remember.

    So now…to make their wedding gift! It will be in vinyl and made with my trusty Cameo, so I’ll make sure to post it over in the Silhouette Challenge Facebook Group when it’s done!

    Thanks again for sharing such a special time in your life!!

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