The big day is approaching and your guests are welcomed with their digital devices. They are encouraged to document as much as they can. If you use a special hashtag, you’ll have a whole lot of memories from different perspectives in one place. Here are some tips to create a wedding hashtag:

Wedding hashtags are a great addition, especially if you’ve decided not to unplug your wedding.

How it works

When your guests take a picture or film a snippet of your big day, they can upload it to Instagram or Twitter. When posting, they can add your custom hashtag. This means that when you search that specific hashtag, all the posts uploaded with that hashtag will all appear in one place. It sounds more complicated than what it is. For guests that aren’t too ‘with it’, provide a short video or step-by-step picture explanation.

List

Come up with a few potential wedding hashtags. Just in case your hashtag is taken.

Have fun

If you want to keep things simple, then go ahead! But it’s really funny when you’re punny. Some couples choose to incorporate their names with a movie title, for example, #ShesTheMannelly which is a combination of the movie She’s the Man (2006) and their surname Mannelly. You could even play on well-known sayings like #ToHaveAndToHughes which is the saying (part of the vows) ‘to have and to hold’ in combination with the surname Hughes.

Customise, really

As lovely as hashtags are, they are very common. So it is absolutely vital that you and your partner come up with a unique hashtag. For example, don’t just use a hashtag like #Williamswedding. There are probably so many wed couples with the surname Williams. You really don’t want to search your custom hashtag to find your little gems among someone else’s big day.

Search the tag

When you’ve narrowed down the choices, search your hashtag on social medias to see if it has been used.

Capital 

Capitalise the first letter of each word in your hashtag. It makes it a lot easier to read.

Number it 

If you’re keeping things plain and simple and your hashtag is taken, you can always add numbers to it. It could be your wedding day date or any other significant number. Remember to not make it too complicated.

Reuse

A great idea is to use your special hashtag for all wedding events. That way you will have all your wedding festivity pictures in one place. From the engagement party to the big day.

Let it be known 

Having a wedding hashtag is great but not if your guests don’t know about it. Make sure you add your hashtag to the invitation and have little reminders around the wedding. Depending on how important it is to you, you can send your guests little reminders and maybe mention it at the reception.

Feature image: Unsplash

It’s always great receiving an invitation to a wedding. It’s a joyous occasion that you are honoured to be part of. As excited as you may be, your wallet might not be as thrilled. All the costs are easy to forget, so be prepared for these expenses if you’re a wedding guest.

The engagement party

Couples usually have an engagement party to celebrate the good news and the marriage to come. It’s not always a big thing, but there is a chance that you may encounter a few expenses.

– You may need to purchase a gift. It’s not a requirement, but if you feel the need to get the couple a gift, it doesn’t have to be anything fancy or over the top and you shouldn’t feel pressured into getting something expensive.

– Not all engagement parties are super formal, but if the one you’re going to happens to be, and you don’t own anything up to par, then you may need to go on a little shopping trip.

– Hopefully, there are drinks available but if the soiree doesn’t feature an open bar, you’ll have to fork out some cash for your liquor.

Bridal shower

– Pitching up with a gift is now expected unless stated otherwise, so that’s definitely a deduction.

The bachelor/bachelorette party

– A gift may not be necessary but depending on how close you are to the bride, you may be required to contribute to various things surrounding the party itself.

– If you’re going out, you may have to pay your own way for things like dinner and drinks.

– Travel costs. Now, this isn’t always the case, but you may be required to travel to a destination for the party. Whether it’s an hour or plane away, that’s still a cost.

The wedding

– Travel comes up again, as the ceremony and reception may be held at a special place that’s of course at a distance. You’ll have to make your own way there unless stated otherwise.

– This is the main event and a special gift is now mandatory. Most couples opt for a wedding registry that consists of a variety of gifts with different price tags, big and small.

– Since it is the big day, you have to look your best. Depending on what the dress code is and what’s available in your closet, you may need to stop window shopping.

– If it is a destination wedding, chances are, you may need to sort out your own accommodation. Some couples may book a few rooms at a hotel but you’ll have to pay your own way.

It’s important to remember that even if you get an invitation to all the wedding festivities, you don’t have to attend them all, especially since they can become quite costly.

As expensive as all these things may seem, before you decline the invitation, keep in mind that all the things listed may not be applicable to all events.

Image: Visual Poetry Photography