Fun ways to make guests a part of your special day

This story originally appeared in iDO, the Southeast Missourian's bridal magazine, covering everything you need to now to get you ready for your big day and beyond. To receive a copy of the latest issue of iDO, email cellis@semissourian.com.

By Robyn Gautschy

Southeast Missourian

For guests, the difference between a good wedding and a great one may be how much fun they have celebrating your special day.

"This summer I've seen several creative ways to get guests involved at weddings," says Amanda Lukefahr of Lukefield Special Events in Jackson. "Couples love advice from other married couples, and a fun way to do that is to share date night ideas with the newlyweds on note cards," she suggests.

LeVa Clement of Milestones Weddings and Events in Jackson suggests having a memory box: Place pieces of paper and pencils at the reception tables and ask guests to write a favorite memory of the couple or the bride or groom. Have guests put the papers in a box near the wedding cake, and you and your hubby can read them together after the wedding.

Keep the kids busy by providing bags with crayons, coloring books, candy, juice boxes, small toys and games, Lukefahr says.

"For outdoor weddings, lawn games are becoming a popular way to pass the time while waiting for the wedding party to make their grand entrance at the reception," she adds. "Bean bag toss, washers and boccie ball are great ideas because they are fun for all ages."

Photo booths are another way to involve guests.

For added fun, stash props and costumes nearby, says Lukefahr. Guests can keep one photo, and you can add the other to your album.

For small weddings, Clement likes the idea of a unity circle: "The guests stood in a circle around the bride and groom. Each held a candle, the officiator lit two candles, and the two lit the candle next to them and passed the flame around the circle. When the circle was complete, the last one lit stepped forward to the couple and lit the ones they were holding. The rest of the candles were then blown out as the couple stepped forward to light an anniversary candle, then blew out their own. The officiator talked about how the couple's lives were influenced by each person in the room and gained some light from them, and that with the lighting of the final candle, all the lives were joined to the couple with love."

Another idea for small weddings is to hang photos of the guests in the church entryway or the reception area -- even better if you have photos of the guests with the bride and groom.

At the end of the ceremony or reception, let guests send you off in a creative and fun way: "My favorite guest activity of this summer was a June wedding in Cape Girardeau with a grand exit with sparklers," says Lukefahr. "Every guest held sparklers to make a pathway for the couple, which created a perfect photo opportunity. It was a beautiful sight on a summer night."