How to Plan a Surprise Wedding

A surprise wedding can be for either a group of friends and family, or for the bride or groom. There are a few considerations you must take when planning a surprise wedding. While most surprise weddings are enjoyable, some family members might be hurt if they're not included in the planning of your wedding.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Plan for the Bride or Groom

1. Choose when you want the wedding. You can surprise your bride or groom by planning a wedding for right after you get your marriage license, while you're on vacation or even right after you get engaged.
2. Pick a location for your surprise wedding. If you plan your wedding for right after you get the marriage license, you can get married right in the courthouse. If you plan it while you're on vacation, look into getting married at a resort or fancy restaurant.
3. Decide how you'll surprise your bride or groom with an outfit for the wedding day. Some grooms buy a dress and give it to their bride as a present. Brides can tell their grooms that they've planned a black tie event date, and the groom needs a suit or a tux.
4. Plan an after wedding event for you and your spouse. This can be a special dinner, a concert, a romantic walk on the beach or even a special night planned in your room.
5. Get married. If your spouse feels like they need to involve family or friends, plan a wedding party when you return home.

Plan for Friends and Family

6. Decide together how many people you want at your surprise wedding. The smaller the group, the easier the surprise will be to pull off. Send out invitations for either an engagement party or some other party.
7. Get your outfits for the day of the party. For a true surprise, choose two outfits. One outfit for when you greet guests and start the party, and then your dress and tux.
8. Sneak off when no one is paying attention to you. Change your clothes and have the groom stand next to the wedding official. Let the wedding official make an announcement to quiet the room, and then the bride walks in.
9. Get married and continue the party as usual. Feed your guests, thank them for coming and dance the night away.

Tips & Warnings

• You can keep your surprise wedding very small by inviting only your parents and immediate family over to your house for dinner. Invite your pastor over midway through and get married.
• Don't plan a surprise wedding if you're in need of gifts or money to get your marriage off to a good start. Since guests aren't expecting a wedding, they won't come bearing gifts or money cards.