Hi, loves! While planning your wedding, it’s easy to get lost in a sea of selfishness, always wanting things to go perfectly. A few months ago, I read a blog post by Robyn Bomar of Mix Mingle Glow which focused on how she celebrated her birthday with 38 random acts of kindness.
It inspired and reminded me about how simple acts of kindness can impact one person’s day – and how good it feels to do things for others without anything in return.
Today we’re tying in the idea of random acts of kindness with a wedding twist: read on to see fifty wedding acts of kindness that can make your wedding more meaningful for all involved. This is a great way to step back and remember why you’re planning your wedding day in the first place and put love back into the equation. Enjoy!
50 Wedding Acts of Kindness
1. Be courteous and kind.
To everyone – and all the time. Family, friends, and wedding vendors are there to help make your day memorable, not work for you. Be kind, courtesy, and appreciative – it goes a long way!
2. Say Please and Thank You often.
3. Expect nothing.
No expectations is a great way to live, let alone plan your wedding. If you expect nothing, you won’t be disappointed – and you’ll often find yourself pleasantly surprised.
4. Select a bridesmaid dress that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg.
The bridesmaid dress will most likely be worn only once. Plus, dresses can be downright expensive! If you find one you love, offer to pay a portion for each bridesmaid to help defray the cost. Or choose an inexpensive bridesmaid dress that looks flattering on everyone, like this.
5. Let bridesmaids select their own shoes.
If you’re specific on color, pick something like black which most women already own. Wearing their own comfy pair of shoes means they’ll be happy with how they look, feel, and since they’re probably already worn in they won’t be in pain all night.
6. Ask your honey what is most important to them for the wedding…
… and make it happen.
7. Ask your Mom or other important person to go dress shopping with you.
And make it a girls’ day to remember.
8. Surprise your bridesmaids with manicures a few days before the wedding.
9. Donate your wedding favor budget to charity.
10. Put gowns back the way you found them after trying ’em on.
It will make the dress attendants day much easier… and it’s the right thing to do!
11. Surprise your honey with date night – and nix the wedding talk for a night.
12. Register only for things you need, love, and will use.
13. When you receive a gift to your home, snap a photo of you with it…
… and send with the thank you card.
14. Spend your wedding budget on things that matter to you both at your wedding.
Make sure both visions of a perfect wedding day are met.
15. Ask friends and family members for favorite song requests and add them to the playlist.
They’ll feel included – and will appreciate the gesture.
16. Honor a loved one who passed away with a bouquet charm or special memento.
For example, one bride attached charms to her shoes so her deceased father could walk her down the aisle. Another tied a charm to a bouquet.
17. Ask your Mom or Dad about their wedding day and tie in a memorable detail.
I borrowed my Mom’s bridal purse, which was given as a wedding gift to her by my Grandmother.
18. Arrange transportation for the bridal party (if your budget allows).
If the ceremony and reception are in separate locations, arrange for a limo or shuttle to transport your bridal party.
19. Tip well.
Be generous. Tip well — and often.
20. Arrange for a wedding shuttle…
… for out of town guests at their hotel, budget-allowing of course. I attended a wedding where the bride arranged for a shuttle at our hotel which was awesome because we were unfamiliar with the area.
21. Make welcome bags for out of town guests.
Include fresh fruit, water, snacks, a thank you card, and a map, along with notable places to visit nearby.
22. Save your Dad (or another important person) a dance.
23. Ask a family member to contribute his or her talent.
For instance, ask a cousin to contribute her talent for floral design, your aunt to give her famous apple pie recipe for your dessert table, or ask a musician to contribute music for the ceremony.
24. Can’t agree? Compromise.
If you and your honey can’t agree on something, compromise. Better yet – flip a coin. It’s not worth a second arguing.
25. Listen.
If your mind is made up on something, be quiet and listen anyway: it may be worth considering.
26. Provide fun games for guests who don’t like to dance.
Read our article on how to entertain guests at a wedding for some fun suggestions.
27. Laugh.
Often. You’ll feel better and stress out less.
28. Reserve a space for honored family members to sit at the ceremony (and reception).
29. Dance.
You know what makes guests get on their feet and dance? When they see the bride and groom dancing!
30. Provide flip flops for sore feet.
Or these foldable flats! They’re a life-saver for high-heeled guests!
31. Provide a basket in the bathroom with essentials for guests.
This is a great idea and guests will be so thrilled you went the extra step! Read more on the must-haves here (+ snag a FREE printable!)
32. Make gift bags for kids at the reception to keep them entertained.
Kids get bored at weddings, at least until the dancing begins. Keep them happy with coloring books, crayons, word games, puzzles, and more.
33. Let guests request songs at the reception.
34. If giving favors, make them memorable.
Don’t say thanks with a throw-away gift! Give the best wedding favors to guests, ones they’ll actually use and enjoy, like bags of candy, coffee favors (try Apropos Roasters), homemade candles, beer soap (give Dirty Deeds Soaps a look), printed photos from your photo booth, etc.
35. Give the bridal party gifts they’ll actually use (+ enjoy).
Again, the gifts you give ought to be memorable. Try this list of 50 Must-Have Bridesmaid Gifts for your girls.
36. Let him plan the bachelor party with his best man.
It’s his party – mind your business!
37. Enjoy the events leading up to the big day.
This time goes by in an instant, so step back and enjoy the events as they unfold. You’ll thank yourself later.
38. If getting married in cold or rainy weather…
… provide blankets or inexpensive umbrellas for guests. I was at Ikea a few weeks ago and spotted these umbrellas which are only $2.99 each (if you’re an IKEA family member, which is free) and are available in a multitude of colors. For blankets, buy in bulk to save money. .
39. Give yourself a wedding planning break when you need it.
This is one way to be kind to yourself. Wedding planning can be stressful, and you owe it yourself to take a day off every so often. Rent a movie. Go for a bike ride. Exercise. Go on a date with your hubby to be. Play video games.
40. Give your bridal party an advance itinerary.
Include important dates, events, and locations so they can plan ahead (with work or school schedules).
41. Arrange for ushers at your ceremony…
… especially important if you have elderly guests in attendance.
42. Include a thank you card at each guest’s seat.
43. Be generous.
44. Donate your dress to a bride in need.
Places like The Bride’s Project help you donate a dress to someone who can’t afford one. It’s a great way to pay it forward.
45. Learn how to shrug it off.
My Dad told me while planning my wedding that if something happened – i.e. the cake never came, the flowers undelivered – that he’d find a way to make it work. (What a guy! – P.S. We didn’t need to improvise, but it was nice to have a backup plan just in case.) Grocery stores offer sheet cake, flowers, or anything else you may need in a pinch. So, if something happens, shrug it off and improvise. It happens! You’ll laugh about it later. Remember: if you’re married at the end of the day, your wedding day was a success. :)
46. Send thank you cards (for all wedding events) as soon as possible.
47. Spend a little time with all of your wedding guests.
48. Donate any uneaten leftovers to a shelter.
49. Donate your wedding flowers to hospitals.
Bring them over the day after the wedding or arrange for family members to assist. Your pretty flowers will be enjoyed and brighten up rooms of so many people. Places like Random Acts of Flowers makes the donating process even easier.
50. Never, EVER be a Bridezilla.
It doesn’t look good on anyone.
Happy Planning!
xo
Emma
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13 comments
This list should be handed out to all parties buying an engagement ring!!! Been on both ends and this would have been a God Send!! ♥
This all resonates with me! Great ideas!! Thank you SO much for sharing this post <3
This is so touching!! I re-posted this on my blog with your link attached…Thank you so much for sharing!!
If you have children, include them in getting ready for the wedding and MAKE CERTAIN that your family members – even the ones you don’t see often enough – know that they are “allowed” to be behind the scenes.
This is such a wonderful post! I have one to add that I’m actually doing at my wedding this fall-
First, allow your entire wedding party to have a plus one. We are doing this but all of our wedding party’s guests do not know each other, so instead of leaving them in the akward position of having to sit alone or with people they do not know at the reception, we are having a “sweetheart” table with just my groom and I and two attendants tables right next to ours.
This way, all of our attendants get to enjoy the evening with their sweetheart (or close friend) too :)
Ashley,
That’s such a great idea! Thanks so much for sharing! :)
-E.
#46. – Thank you notes should be hand written and include a description of the gift. A photo of the bride and groom with a generic message of thanks is not a proper thank you.
Great tip, Becky! Handwritten notes are absolutely essential. Thanks for stopping by!
Emma
Oh what sweet ideas! I want to give my bridesmaids little kits with things they need for the wedding (like a list of things I’d like their help with – so they know what to expect!) & also some little treats so they know how much I appreciate them – I want them all to feel special & enjoy being a part of my big day!
Great post – it’s so easy to get caught up in everything and forget the little things to let people know you care, not just in weddings, but in everyday life.
x
Hello! Thank you so much for the mention about Random Acts of Flowers. And what a wonderful post full of great ideas for helping make your wedding day something special for everyone. :-)
Great suggestions for brides! I love the idea of donating your dress and flowers.
AMAZING post! Keeps thing into perspective and certainly reminds you of the positive and what is important!
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