Wedding Party Ideas I Wish I Had When I Got Married

If you know anything about me, you know I love parties. Like... love love them. So you might assume I had a big, elaborate wedding filled with all the bells and whistles.

But surprise! You’d be wrong.

There was no engagement party. No bridal shower. No bachelorette bash. No rehearsal dinner or fancy brunch.

Our wedding was small—just 15people in my brother’s living room. We served pizza. (And yes, it was amazing.)

Our Wedding Day, 2019

But being the party person I am, I still daydream about all the ways I could’ve celebrated the lead-up. And as cheesy as it might sound, I know I would’ve used my own services to do it.

Here’s how I would’ve twisted up the fun:

My Engagement Party?

A Sabotage Mystery Party, of course—Secret Agent edition! I’d gather 20 of my closest friends and family for a night of undercover intrigue, all while dropping subtle wedding-themed hints throughout the game.

Picture it: spy missions, coded messages, mysterious props… and then—BAM! At the final reveal, the “Saboteur” isn’t the biggest secret of the night…It’s that we’re engaged!

You’d better believe no one would forget that moment.

Guests balance balloons between them in a Sabotage Mystery Party challenge.

The Bachelorette Bash?

Forget the typical night out—I’d host a Video Scavenger Hunt: Bride’s Crew vs. Groom’s Crew! We’d race around our favorite Jacksonville neighborhood, hitting spots from our relationship and completing hilarious challenges on camera. Later, we’d crash on the couch, snacks in hand, watching the shenanigans unfold on TV like our own rom-com highlight reel.

Team "Winners" complete the challenge to "Sing a popular TV theme song."

And to say thank you to my wedding party?

A Photoshoot Party would be the ultimate gift. Tina Minshall would work her magic behind the lens while the rest of us played games and snacked. Each guest would get a gorgeous 8x10 portrait, and I’d turn those into a photo wall at the wedding. Best part? Framing them as parting gifts at the end of the night. Pure magic.

It's unanimous - our guests LOVED their Photoshoot Party!

Now, to be clear—I wouldn’t change my wedding day for the world. I found my Angel, and that’s what matters most.

But I am passionate about helping other brides-to-be live their best party lives. Whether you're planning a grand celebration or keeping it low-key, you deserve fun that’s meaningful, creative, and completely unforgettable.

Sound like your vibe?

Let’s talk wedding party ideas—because your love story deserves a little twist.

I'm ready to chat when you are!