12 Ways to Impress Your Guests

1. How Refreshing!

“I went to a wedding where there was dancing between courses. For the intermezzo course, instead of having us return to our seats, waiters passed sorbet lollipops. Delicious—and we never had to leave the dance floor.”
—Kate, New York, NY

2. Personal Touches

“I’d never met the couple (the groom was an old friend of my husband’s), but after the wedding I felt I’d known them forever. From the location (an apple orchard), to the ring bearer (their dog), to the organic meal, to the mariachi band brought in from Chiapas, Mexico (where they volunteered every year), everything was very personal. I learned that this couple was into nature, organic living and community service—the wedding said it all.”
—Erika, New York, NY

3. Charitable Favors

“In lieu of typical favors, the couple made a donation in honor of their guests to a mission they wanted to support. At each table, there was a note explaining the gesture.”
—Peggy, Spring Mills, PA

4. Flattering Fashion

“I like to see bridesmaids who have been allowed to choose different dress styles to complement the look of the wedding. That way, everyone looks and feels beautiful.”
—Hope, Southampton, PA

5. Location, Location, Location

“The best thing about one wedding was the venue, on the banks of the Rappahannock River in Virginia. The wedding was very relaxed—breezes, birds and a beautiful view.”
—Bruce, Washington, DC

6. Family Ties

“I loved it when the groom’s grandmother was in charge of the dessert table. She happens to bake award-winning desserts! Everything was simple and delicious.”
—Jenna, Madison, VA

7. A Special Officiant

“My mom met my stepfather while teaching at the elementary school that both her children and his daughter had attended. When they got married, they had the service in the chapel of the school, and they asked the chaplain who had taught all four children to officiate the ceremony. That meant a lot to them—and our family.”
—Bella, Washington, DC

8. Tasty Treats

“A lot of candy favors are left on the table, but one couple gave Lindt chocolates as favors. I didn’t leave those behind!”
—Mark, Baltimore, MD

9. It Takes Two

“The bride and groom had secretly been taking tango lessons and performed a choreographed routine for their first dance. We were applauding at every turn.”
—Courtney, Raleigh, NC

10. Poetic License

“It’s touching when couples personalize their vows. One groom who’d met his bride in an English Literature class in college surprised her by reciting a Yeats poem!”
—Martha, Hartford, CT

11. A Sporting Event

“I went to a Steelers-themed wedding where the bridesmaids wore black dresses and carried sunflowers (for the team’s black and gold colors), and the bride and groom briefly wore Steelers jerseys. It showed what a fun-loving duo they are.”
—Tracy, Pittsburgh, PA

12. A Sweet Good-Bye

“As we left the reception, we were handed warm chocolate-chip cookies and vanilla milkshakes to go. Yum!”
—Megan, South Orange, NJ