This month we look at how to throw a New Year’s Eve Wedding
The wedding season traditionally runs throughout the summer months, but it is during winter when most proposals reach their peak, with romance very much in the air over the festive period. Did you know that Christmas Eve is the most popular date of the year to propose, surpassing even Valentine’s Day? And with plenty of reasons to tie the knot on the last night of the year, if your partner does pop the question this month it gives you a year of planning time.
A New Year’s Eve wedding is perfect – not just because a lot of your friends and family will have the next day off, but everyone will be in the mood to party and they will not have to make plans themselves. All of the festive decorations will still be up too, which lends the occasion an extra magical feeling, and your groom will never forget the anniversary. Of course, if you are going to get married on the biggest party night of the year, then there are a few essentials.
Late Bar
A lot of weddings are wrapped up well before Midnight, but presumably you will want to see the new year in, so ensure that your venue is open until at least 1am. Do not forget to consult with your choice of entertainment, photographer and any other suppliers about staying past the countdown on New Year’s Eve.
Sparklers
If your budget does not extend to a fireworks display then at least ensure you have sparklers to celebrate your special evening. Have indoor sparklers as favours on the tables for guests to get into the celebratory spirit, or stick them in a cupcake or cocktail for a glitzy treat.
Bubbly
Bubby is essential for a New Year’s Eve wedding, and if you cannot stretch to serving Champagne for the countdown, then Cava or Prosecco will suffice. If you and your groom are not a desert fan and want an alternative to cutting traditional wedding cake, why not pour your own Champagne tower?
Location
Hosting your wedding on one of the most glamorous nights of the year, calls for a majestic location. And for the ultimate in exclusivity, you can choose to hire out one of Hand Picked Hotels’ grand country houses with just your partner and guests for company. Many venues may be reserved for New Year’s Eve parties so plan well ahead.
Babysitters
Another plus of hosting your wedding with Hand Picked Hotels is that with accommodation on site, you can organise for several reputable babysitters to look after the children once it is past their bed time. That way, everyone can be standing with you on the dancefloor at the end of the night. And for those guests without kids, offering accommodation at the venue means they will not have the nightmare of trying to get a taxi on New Year’s Eve.
New Year’s Resolutions
Instead of a traditional guest book, invite everyone to make a New Year’s resolution for you and your groom to accomplish during the first year of marriage. Or if you are hiring a photo booth, get your guests to write their resolutions on a chalkboard or pop them on a note to place in a wall of envelopes.
Glitz and Glam
A New Year’s Eve wedding means that you can dress your bridesmaids in glittering gowns. If you are going down the traditional route for the ceremony, why not change into a sparkly little number for the reception? Perhaps you are toying with the idea of a sequin wedding dress – a New Year’s Eve wedding is the perfect occasion to pull it off.
You can also extend the glitz and glam to your table cloths, chair covers and decorations. Pair gold with black for the ultimate in elegance or to up the opulence, tuck guest's place cards into mini disco balls and scatter glittery confetti on the tables.
Alternatively, New Year’s Eve party props double as décor in simple vases. Then as midnight approaches you can hand out sparkling hats, tiaras, feathered headbands, monocles, masks and party horns to interject a little fun.
While June maybe the most popular month to get married, more and more couples are choosing to ring in the New Year as newlyweds, after all it has all the elements of a great wedding. If you still have not chosen a date to tie the knot, we hope you now have some good reasons why you should consider New Year’s Eve. Not only will you be marking the start of the new year but, also the start of a wonderful life together.
