Let the Countdown Begin! 5 Ideas for an Unforgettable New Year's Eve Wedding

Photo: Belathée Photography
 

We could start off by listing all the reasons a New Year's Eve wedding is an awesome idea, but you probably already know them, particularly if you've ever been a guest at one: think open bar, set plans and no standing in long lines or getting body checked by strangers all night. It's the one night of the year everybody, including your parents, are looking to party, and for a party, for that matter. With New Year's Eve falling on a Saturday in 2016, we suspect a bunch of brides and grooms will be saving the date.

So for the sake of you and your guests, please don't drop the ball on planning! Go big or go home with these epic New Year's Eve wedding ideas.

1. Set up a modern champagne bar
Spice up your typical wedding toast with a champagne bar featuring an array of modern bubbly cocktails in honor of the new year, recommends celebrity caterer and CEO of Elegant Affairs, Andrea Correale. "Bring in a professional mixologist to really make a splash." You can also never go wrong with a big, great gatsby inspired champagne tower, notes Erica Taylor, co-founder of Tinsel & Twine.

2. Have a themed wedding
It's not cheesy if it's on NYE, right? For couples that want to have some fun, an era specific wedding, such as a roaring twenties theme, will tie in with New Year's nicely and add an extra layer of excitement for guests, advises event producer Marc Wilson, owner of Weddings by MWD Lifestyles.

3. Send guests home with a grand "New Year, New You" gift bag
Cheers to new beginnings and not just marriage! Jessica Janik, founder of The Invisible Bridesmaid, strongly believes that if you're going to throw a NYE wedding, everything better be over the top — your favors and welcome bags included — since you're essentially dictating how your guests will spend the holiday. Treat them to a curated gift box full of goodies to kick off the new year right. Some ideas Janik loves are massage gift cards, meal delivery service, a healthy cookbook, nutrition supplements or even certificates to boutique workout centers, such as Barry's Bootcamp and Pure Barre. Beauty products are a no-brainer too, particularly after a night of partying.


4. Create a New Year's resolution guest book
Complete with a photo booth! As planning pro Cynthia Pesce of The Inn at New Hyde Park points out, it's a great way to capitalize on the NYE wedding theme, plus it gives you something to keep in touch with friends and family about. Photo booths generally print out two copies of each photo so people can stick one in the guest book next to their resolution and hang onto the other as a fun memento, she says. As for props: Berets, pearls, feathers, masquerade masks, NYE party hats and boas are perfect.

5. Do a midnight ball, balloon or confetti drop
Turn your wedding into Times Square on New Year's Eve by DIYing your own live ball drop, covered in crystals of course, suggests invitation designer Danielle Behar. "Ask your videographer to capture any midnight kisses on camera too." If you can't do the ball drop, wedding planner Amy Shey Jacobs, President of Chandelier Events, says she'd absolutely end the night with a dance floor confetti drop or a balloon drop if confetti were banned at your venue.