SURPRISE
,
SURPRISE!
F
or most couples, planning a wedding involves a
whirlwind of organisation, with many a hectic
day planning floral arrangements, wedding décor,
gifts, venues and a whole lot more. But that’s not
for everyone. In fact many couples are now beginning to
take back control of their wedding day, with a new
phenomenon starting to take hold in the wedding market:
the surprise wedding.
Hosting a surprise wedding
enables the couple to avoid what
can become a bit of a circus.
Instead of allowing wedding planning to dominate their lives
for a year and a half, some couples are choosing to keep things
simple and invite their guests to what they think is an
ordinary party. Little do guests know, they’re actually
attending the couple’s nuptials.
Once guests arrive at the ‘party’, they’re usually served
drinks or a meal, before the announcement is made and the
couple goes off to dress in their wedding finery. The couple
will then return, and the ceremony will get underway.
If you’re thinking of hosting a surprise wedding there
are a few things you’ll miss out on, so you need to weigh up
the pros and cons. It will mean no gifts, and it’ll probably
mean a more relaxed dress code – unless you specify that
guests are attending a formal party by making them think
it’s your engagement celebration. You’ll also miss out on
the fancy save-the-dates, invitations and pre-wedding
parties, but if you’re looking to keep things low-key, this
may be just what you’re after.
A surprise wedding best suits couples looking to avoid
the hoopla of a wedding ceremony and everything that
goes along with it. It’s also a great way of ensuring your day
is unique, and gets everyone talking.
The day itself will be spontaneous, so it’s ideal if you’re
looking for a more informal day rather than the traditional sit-
down dinner. It’s the perfect choice for a couple that doesn’t
relish the spotlight, and it means that instead of months of
wedding planning and pricey stag or hen dos, you’ll be able to
pack all the love into one day. Quite romantic, really.
Host a surprise wedding and you’ll avoid all those
awkward wedding questions too. There’ll be no one
pestering you about colour schemes, or dress codes, or
travel arrangements. No one will be after your gift list, or
worrying about what to buy you. They’ll just turn up ready
to party and find themselves at a wedding. Having said
this, it is definitely best if you tell your parents or close
family members about the surprise wedding – you don’t
want to risk upsetting anyone!
Want to know the best bit about hosting a surprise
wedding? It’ll save you tons of money. No one will be
expecting the outlandish floral arrangements, traditional
wedding venue, fancy cake or expensive entertainment, so
there’s no pressure to make sure everything’s perfect. The
main focal point will be your wedding; there’s no need for
other distractions.
Surprise weddings give you a chance to focus on what
you and your partner want – and nothing else. It is your
day, after all.
Damian Clarkson is managing director of
The London Kitchen
pink weddings magazine 37
The London KiTchen
Damian Clarkson
explains why the unconventional
route might be just right for you…
