How to Throw a Surprise Wedding
Typically in a surprise party, the guests are the ones doing the surprising. In this innovative party, it's the guests who are surprised---by the hosts getting married! Rather than spend months arguing with family members about wedding details, many couples are choosing to throw a surprise wedding. Follow these steps to throw a surprise wedding, and create a great surprise for your guests.
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Things You'll Need
- Invitations
- Venue
- Wedding officiate
- Decorations
- Announcements
- Refreshments
- Wedding cake
Instructions
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Come up with a cover reason for the party. Perhaps one of the couple is having a birthday or some other reason for a celebration. Invite people to the party for another reason other than a wedding!
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2
Decide where to have the party. Couples who are living together can choose to have the party at home, in a restaurant, banquet hall or other venue. Anywhere a "regular" party can be thrown, a surprise wedding can happen.
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3
Arrange for someone to marry you. Contact a minister, rabbi, or justice of the peace to see if he is available on your date. Alternatively, there are many places where you can "rent" a minister. You'll likely be asked to meet with the officiate prior to the wedding date to set up the details such as vows and the fee. Ask the officiate to come AFTER the guests arrive. So, for example, if the party is to start at 5 p.m., have the officiate arrive at around 6 p.m. so that guests will have time to arrive and get settled.
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Gather the guests together to make the announcement just before the officiant arrives. Some couples choose to hand out a printed wedding announcement, whereas others prefer to make a verbal announcement.
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Steal away and change into wedding attire as the guests are reeling with shock that you are getting married right then and there.
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Continue to have the wedding progress as any typical wedding from this point forward. Vows and rings are exchanged, and the bride and groom kiss. Refreshments are served and a wedding cake is cut. Emotions and energy run high at this type of wedding, and your guests will leave with memories that last a lifetime!
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Tips & Warnings
The key to success in this type of party is to tell NO ONE the real reason for the party. That way, no one will be offended that someone else "knew" and they didn't. However, if you really want a family member to be at your wedding but they aren't planning to attend, you might consider telling them, but be sure to swear them to secrecy.
You can't please everyone, and a surprise party may displease some of your guests, such as parents or exes.
Be aware that if you are keeping the real reason for the party a secret, then you risk having some guests not attend since they are not aware of what an important event it really is.
Resources
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