In the end, guests ended up at the private mansion of Richard Branson on Necker Island, and spent four days celebrating the wedding ceremony with beach and water activities. Vanessa wore a gown by Philippine-born designer Monique L’huillier, accompanied by stud earrings her husband gave her during their first year of dating.
While plane tickets to a private island in the Caribbean Sea might not be feasible for every couple to incorporate into their own wedding nuptial plans, having a surprise element for guests is very possible. Here are some ideas you can try:
* Give your wedding a theme, and find a way to help guests become part of that theme. The themes can be fun, creative, romantic or hobby-related. Involve your guests by providing unique transportation between the wedding ceremony and the reception venue. For example, if you’re having a Camelot-themed wedding, use period-appropriate teams of horses and buggies to get all of your guests from one place to the next.
* Switch up the music. Pachelbel ‘s Canon in D is beautiful, but guests have heard it many times for many different wedding ceremonies. Be unique and walk down the aisle to something a little unexpected like Fanfare for the Common Man, complete with brass players and percussionists. Or hire a mariachi band to keep guests entertained during your reception.
* Take the party somewhere fun. Frequently, once the dinner plates are cleared, the DJ will start up the music, and the dancing begins. Those who aren’t interested in dancing quickly say their good-byes and leave. A different – and surprising – approach for the reception could be renting out an entire bowling alley or arcade game center. Heading out to a water park, or bringing in a comedy club also are fun ideas.
