Emma Anne Photo
Your wedding is all about celebrating your love. But let’s face it, it’s also about creating a memorable day your friends and family won’t easily forget. The caterer and florist are booked, but what about the exotic animal trainer or the samba dancers? We’ve got 8 unique wedding vendor ideas you should consider before your big day.
“Having alternative entertainment at your wedding truly allows you to bring out your personality and share something special with your guests,” said Heather Keyes from Runway Events.
Dewitt For Love Photography
1. Artists
You’ve got the photographer, you might have the videographer, but don’t forget about the artist.
“Vendors with a memorable experience are live paintings of the ceremony and reception,” says Aleshia George from Venue 1902. “It’s a beautiful keepsake.”
We recommend Orlando-based Katie Collins Painting, where a moment from your special day can be remembered forever on canvas.
It’s not only memorable for you, the couple, but your guests can view the painting’s progress throughout the day.
“The way the artist can capture the moment in time is so magical,” says Keyes. “Watching it come together throughout the evening is a truly unique experience.”
“Caricature artists are another way to make your night memorable and fun”, recommends Marianthy Troupos Mendez from Omarvelous Productions. It can also provide a nice keepsake for your guests.
2. Musicians
Live musicians certainly add flair to any wedding.
“We have seen a wide range of live music acts on the wedding day from Mariachi bands, to friends and family who are singer/songwriters, to our personal favorite, when the Bride or Groom plays a special song themselves to show their love,” says Keyes.
Live performers have a way of keeping all of your guests engaged.
“Some vendor categories I think couples tend to forget about are additional things to entertain their guests who maybe aren’t big dancers or drinkers,” said Mendez, who suggests something like dueling pianos to spice up the entertainment.
Don’t forget the musicians for the ceremony as well.
“The most forgotten vendor that we’ve noticed would be the ceremony musicians (live music played by violin, flute, harp or cello),” said Giselle Grande from John Michael Events. “Many couples assume that the DJ will play music for their ceremony while often, this is not the case.”
It can add an extra personal touch to hear your favorite modern hit played by a harp or flute while walking down the aisle.
“You can have vocalists create custom music to serenade you down the aisle, or have a violinist or string trio play your favorite romantic song before the vows,” suggests Bonny Bailey-Finck from P.S. I Love You Productions.
Kathy Thomas Photography
3. Dancers
If you’re looking for more than amateur Electric Slide or Chicken Dance moves, consider hiring professionals to make your wedding unique.
“You can even hire professional dancers to get the action going on the floor while the music is playing,” recommends Bailey-Finck.
Professional dancers not only provide great entertainment, but they can also encourage your guests to hit the dance floor.
“You can enhance entertainment by adding props, LED robots, samba dancers, specialty lighting, confetti, and more,” says Keyes.
The Hispanic wedding tradition, La Hora Loca, or The Crazy Hour, adds many of these components to help end the night with a bang.
“La Hora Loca is typically the last hour of the reception when dancers on stilts emerge, glow sticks are passed out and LED Robots to come on the dance floor with props to get the guests hyped,” says Keyes.
Bailey-Fink says Central Florida is a great spot to find entertainers and other unique wedding vendor ideas.
“In Orlando, more than almost any city in the world, the amount of talent is breathtaking,” she says, “and your imagination is the only limit to what you can include on your big day!”
4. Comedy
It doesn’t just have to be musicians or dancers to make your wedding memorable or unique. Consider hiring comedians or improvised actors.
“We have had Sak Comedy Lab perform at a wedding,” said George. “It was a surprise for the Bride and Groom! The guests and couple loved every minute.”
Depending on the wedding you want to have, you could also think about adding mascots or celebrity impersonators to lighten up the festivities.
“Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, and Elvis Presley have crashed a few of our weddings to perform a special song,” says Keyes. “We have partied many times with Knightro, the University of Central Florida’s mascot, and it’s always a blast to have a representative from your favorite team there to join in the festivities.”
Lifelong Photography Studio
5. Animals
If you’re looking for another “wow factor” that’ll be sure to end up on your friends’ Instagram pages, consider animal encounters.
“You can have adoptable puppies for you and your bridesmaids to carry down the aisle. You can arrive at your ceremony in a horse-drawn carriage, or even with a camel or llama for the more adventurous types,” suggests Bailey-Fink. “You can have a Beer Burro serve drinks to your guests at your cocktail hour. If you and your partner are a fan of a particular movie or TV show that includes an animal character, the odds are good that you can even find a version of them for a great wedding day surprise!”
FairyTail Pet Care has a special “Yappily Ever After” program. They coordinate for shelter pets to be brought to your ceremony or cocktail hour. Not only does the socialization help the animals, but there’s also a chance one of your guests will say “I Do” to giving one of the adoptable animals a forever home.
“Your big day can be their big chance,” said FairyTail Pet Care.
If you want your pet to be a part of your special day, vendors specializing in pet attendant services may also be able to help.
Think about what it would be like to see your wedding day from your dog’s point of view. FairyTale Pet Care can make that happen with their videography services.
“We follow your pup around on their wedding day adventure, capturing the candid, heartwarming moments that only a dog can bring, as well as many of the details from your special day,” said FairyTail Pet Care.
JP Photography
6. Live Streaming
If your guests can’t come or if you’re looking for a more intimate setting, you should consider a vendor specializing in wedding live streaming.
It’s an option that has become increasingly popular due to the pandemic. Some vendors, like Omarvelous Productions, will provide guests with a private Facebook page or YouTube link to watch you go down the aisle. Remember, audio and internet streaming can be an issue if you let your friends try to live to stream it on their phones. It’s best to stick with the experts.
Sierra Ford Photography
7. Next-Generation Photo Booths
Photo booths are a lot of fun, but consider a vendor who ups the photo fun.
“We would suggest having a mobile photo booth that is not as popular in this area, creating a fun and interactive activity for the guests and puts a spin on the traditional photo booths,” says Melissa Harp from Venue 650.
Kristin Wilson from Our DJ Rocks recommends their sister company, Photobooth Rocks.
“Our favorite part about the booths is the video messaging feature,” said Jessie. “The guests can leave a short video with their congratulations so the couple can remember how much fun their guests had at their wedding.”
Mendez says Omarvelous Productions also offers a unique take on photo booths with slow-motion video.
“I would say our Slow Motion Video Booth is a great memorable experience for everyone,” she says. “It’s full of laughs and entertainment that we end up being the highlight of the evening. Individual videos can be distributed to your guests via email instantly as well as a final edited video montage of the entire evening.”
Jonathan Hare Photography
8. Games
Another way to make your wedding day interactive and memorable is to find a vendor specializing in lawn games or other competitive activities.
“Suggestions include setting out games (corn hole, checkers/chess boards, karaoke) and lounge furniture in the garden to smoothly transition day to night, from ceremony to reception for entertainment and relaxation,” said Harp.
You might even think about additional trivia to your reception wish list. Not so well-known facts about you and your new spouse could certainly make for a fun and personal experience.
Regardless of which vendors you decide for your wedding day, make sure it fits your style and personality.
“At the end of the day, you want your guests to walk away telling everyone it was the best party they’ve ever been to – and even more, that they were able to celebrate it with you,” says Keyes.
Written by Daniella Hume
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