New Year’s Eve will look a little different this year, but as the big night approaches, it has me thinking back to some of the amazing New Year’s Eve weddings we’ve planned in the past and looking forward to more in the future. There really is no better way to ring in a new year than with a celebration of love and life! New Year’s weddings are also perfect for the couple who loves a bit of glitz. After all, December 31st is known for being one of the most glamorous and festive dates of the year and everyone is always in the mood to party the night away. Of course, deciding on a New Year’s Eve wedding date is only the beginning. Here are ten tips to get you started with the wedding planning for December 2021 and beyond!
Start late. A New Year’s Eve wedding calls for an adjusted timeline. After all, you’ll want to make sure that the party is in full swing at midnight instead of starting to wind down! An evening ceremony is a great idea and can be super romantic. Especially if you fill your ceremony space with candlelight!
Consider a cocktail-style reception. NYE is the perfect opportunity to have a cocktail-style wedding reception. It’s a great way to get guests mixing and mingling (when that’s safe for us to do again), especially if you create comfy lounge areas where they can relax.
Choose a glamorous venue. A glamorous location is a must for a NYE wedding. For example, a city rooftop, a boat cruise, or a stunning private home. If your city has a fireworks display, try to find a venue that has a great view of the pyrotechnics.
Secure your vendor team early. December 31st is a busy night for all kinds of events and not all vendors will be available. It’s important to secure your team of service providers as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
Think of the practicalities. There are some practical challenges to any NYE event, such as transportation and childcare. Taking care of these for your guests by hiring a babysitter or group transportation will really help them to relax and enjoy themselves.
Dress to impress. A New Year’s Eve wedding is the perfect time to go all in on a full glam wedding dress. Think sequins, beading, sparkle, feathers, and more! It’s also a great idea to change into a shorter dress or jumpsuit after midnight to party the night away in!
Prioritize the music. The last thing you should skimp on for a New Year’s Eve wedding is the music. Make sure you hire a great band or a top DJ who will keep the dance floor going all night long.
Pop the champagne! NYE is synonymous with champagne toasts, so why not make it your signature drink? There are lots of fun ways to serve champagne or sparkling wine. For example, champagne cocktails or a classic champagne tower.
Make the countdown a feature. While your wedding is the main focus of the evening, don’t forget to make the countdown to midnight memorable! Ask your band or DJ for a countdown and surprise guests with a balloon drop or confetti cannon, as well as plenty of bubbles. You could even arrange for your own fireworks display to really get the new year off to a bang!
Have holiday-themed props available. Provide guests with hats, masks, noisemakers, horns, and other party props. They make for great photos too!
Here’s to a return of the kind of NYE celebrations we all love!
xoxo,
Mindy
Image by Amy and Stuart Photography
