For those who are getting married, congratulations to you. There is no shortage of wedding planning information out there to help you. But if you’ve found someone you are loving life with, yet have no intention of getting married, there is still reason to celebrate your life together with a ‘not getting married’ party.
You may even find, when the simpler, cheaper, but just as fun party’s over, there are funds left to go on a lush holiday together….after you’ve cleaned up of course.
Invitations
It’s not easy to find invitations for people who are not getting married so play around with the abundance of wedding invitations that are available.
Add a big bold sparkly ‘NOT’ over the ‘are getting married’.
If you are a little more technically confident, you can add ‘NOT’ before it is printed to look something like this.
Or if your party is going to be a little more formal.
Don’t use this celebration as an excuse to upgrade your crystal glassware or soup tureens. Make it clear no gifts are expected on the invitation.
Party attire
If you know marriage is not for you but you have always secretly wanted to wear a veil, tiara, cravat, or other decadent bling, this is the time to do it. Even an old wedding dress or tuxedo is not out of bounds. It’s your party, go for it!
Or keep it simple but beautiful with a big red rose.
Spread the love through your suit.
from Fun.com
Luckily there are ways for feet to be fancy and comfortable for the entire party.
Bear in mind, your guests may not have been to a ‘Not Getting Married’ party before so even if you have no particular theme, they’ll want some guidance about what to wear – e.g. formal, smart casual. If you want them to be color coordinated, just let them know on the invitation.
Another option is to tell everyone to wear the most flamboyant suit or frock they can find by raiding family and friends’ cupboards or searching through a local charity store. Give them a $50 budget cap. What they come up with will be way more fun.
Decorations
An easy way to make your home festive to celebrate your relationship is to each choose your favorite color and go crazy jazzing the place up with balloons
streamers
honeycomb balls
or lanterns.
Buffer your colors with symbols of love such as hearts
roses
doves
or a few carefully positioned Cupid’s bow and arrows.
Food
There are a number of foods that symbolise love and good feelings which can be your base for appetizers.
Pomegranates represent togetherness and love in many cultures and pineapples are a sign of hospitality and welcoming arms by people of the Caribbean.
In Italy, lemons are known for love and friendship and putting basil by your front door means you are ready for love.
Honey is associated with love in Greek and Nordic cultures. No surprise really, when it is also a term of endearment for a special person in our lives.
Of course there is chocolate. The science has even proven it releases endorphins and serotonin which produces feelings of love and euphoria.
Stock up on heart shaped candy around Valentine’s Day and keep them tucked away until you are ready to party.
Use a heart shaped cookie cutter to make hearts from melons which you can surround by naturally heart shaped strawberries to make a fruit platter.
Use heart shaped partyware for nibbles such as nuts or pretzels.
Drinks
So it’s not a wedding but you are celebrating something pretty mega so bubbles are in order. It doesn’t need to be expensive champagne. Prosecco or local sparkling wines are just as festive and tasty.
Crystal glassware for bubbles is probably a little out of reach but go for something a little bling.
Paper heart straws would help your guests feel the love
if you decide to have welcome cocktails.
Tableware
Scatter petals over your refreshment tables to brighten up a simple neutral tablecloth or sheet.
Or personalise with name confetti.
Balance with au naturale heart plates.
Icebreakers
You’ve decided you don’t need that piece of paper to remind you of the commitment you’ve made. Your guests’ memories of your relationship moments will do that. Put a guest book on a prominent table for people to write messages which you can treasure and look back on in the future.
Go sleek and minimalist….
or a little more elaborate.
Have a polaroid camera handy for guests to take snaps to add to their Guest Book messages. Don’t forget to put glue or scotch tape and some nice pens nearby.
Get people spinning and mingling with a Wheel of Fun that asks them do things such as; “Find someone with the same eye colour as you and ask them to dance” or “Offer a drink to the next person you see with an empty glass”.
If your party is outside, have a bowl of these for people to blow during a toast or while dancing.
Although this is not a formal ceremony, your guests will want to toast your relationship.
Ask someone you know to emcee and kick off with a few words. Choose someone who can speak confidently in crowds, has a great sense of humour, and good judgment in entertaining people without offending anyone.
Get them to wear something so they stand out and people know something is going to happen.
It also helps if they have a way to get people’s attention.
It is up to you whether you and your partner would like to say anything. If vows are not your thing, consider thanking your partner for what they’ve done for you so far, and vice versa. Write your own words. It doesn’t need to be long, just something from the heart. Your guests won’t mind if you read from a piece of paper either.
Your emcee can then finish things off by asking everyone to raise their glasses and toast to your future.
If you or your partner are not comfortable speaking in public, your emcee could read something you’ve both prepared instead.
Think about where you will do this in advance of the party. Make sure it is somewhere where everyone can see you. Consider a slightly raised platform if necessary. An old wooden crate covered in a sheet or tablecloth could do the trick. If it’s near a wall, you could decorate the space with photos of your relationship over the years.
Something temporary
or something more permanent you can hang in your home after the party.
Music
Quite frankly, this party is about you two so you can unashamedly pull out all YOUR favourite dancing toons and compile that Love Nest playlist which you can bring out again and again when you’re both hanging at home doing the cleaning, washing, cooking etc.
Don’t be afraid to put a few slow romantic numbers in there, just don’t play them too early in they night.
In case you need a list of love songs with a good beat to get people on the dance floor….
Send them off with a smile
Have a big bowl of mints ready for your guests to freshen up as they head home.
Or help them get up the next morning with coffee from the perfectly blended couple. Fill the pouches with ground coffee for those who don’t have grinders at home.
