You have been preparing for this since…forever, and you certainly want to remember this day for the rest of your life. Marrying your best friend and lover is what made you come so far, but there’s another goal at base: throwing one epic party that you and your guests will talk about for the years to come.

But how do you make your special day stand out amongst the throngs of weddings which your family and friends have attended in the past? While there are many ways on how to upgrade your standard nuptials,we made a small list of easy ways you can get the party started.

Keep Your Ceremony Brief
If your intention is to have readings and personalised vows keep them to a certain size. Do not go writing papers on end. This will eventually get boring. Keep the actual proceedings (not including entrances and exits) around 25 minutes so you won’t lose anyone’s attention.

Use a Wedding App or Hashtag
It is a trend to keep it social! There are many great wedding apps to choose from for your big day. Some interactive apps allow guests to upload wedding photos into one curated place, while others keep your friends and family up on any wedding-related news. Want something even easier? Create your own hashtag and ask guests to tag all of their photos. You will enjoy going through them the morning after.

Give your Guests a Welcome Basket
Whether you’re going for a destination wedding or a hometown bash, some, if not all of your guests had to travel to be a part of your special day. To show your appreciation, give them a nice welcome bag, especially those staying in hotels. Include a few snacks, bottles of water, and a list of local resources, like the nearest drug store, restaurants and coffee shops, maybe nearby attractions, and why not a map.

Greet Each and every Guest
It may sound obvious, but it’s important to personally greet each guest at your wedding. Again they have come to celebrate with you — whether that means chatting over a cocktail, visiting their table at dinner, or letting loose on the dance floor.

Create a Seating Plan
If you are having a plated dinner, a buffet, or family-style servings: A nice themed seating chart is vital to ensuring your guests have a great time. Try to group people together with similar backgrounds or interests, so they’ll have something to talk about even if they’ve never met before.

Open Bar
We all know that open bars can be pricey,but there are ways to make it work on a budget. Consider offering just beer and wine or a few cocktail options if you need to cut back, avoid having family and friends to open their wallets.

Create a Lounge Area
Not every guest will want to dance the night away. Some might not want to hit the dance floor at all. Although bistro tables are a fine place for friends and family to chat, offering a designated seating area is a nice touch to keep your guests part of the party.

Play a nice mix of music
Want to know the best way to get your guests out on the dance floor? Play the songs they actually want to hear! A nice mix goes a long way. Have your DJ make an announcement that they’ll be taking requests and watch the dance floor fill up when a crowd-favorite comes on.