Image by Candice Marie Photography. Keep reading for recommendations on hosting a sensory friendly wedding
When we predict of weddings, we equate them with sensory experiences—the sound of chatter that fills the air, the sweet smell of flowers, different textures of food, camera lights flashing, and dancing while music is playing. These experiences could also be exciting for some people, but for others, they could be jarring and overwhelming. Weddings could be quite a bit to absorb and could be physically and emotionally taxing, especially for those with neurodivergence.
Autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, and sensory processing disorder are only just a few examples of neurodiversity that could make attending weddings a struggle for people of all ages. Every person could also be overwhelmed by different triggers, which regularly leads to anxiety, panic, and distress. The excellent news is that there are methods to make sure everyone has the perfect probability at having fun with themselves. It’s all about anticipating and understanding needs and accommodating them where possible.
Although your wedding is ultimately about you and your partner, it’s also about your family members who’re there to have fun with you. And having the ability to include everyone you like will make your big day that significantly better. Whether it’s for yourself or your partner, someone in your wedding party, otherwise you’re doing it just in case any of your guests need it, listed below are steps you’ll be able to take to create a sensory friendly wedding.
Image by Andre Gouin Photography
Suggestions For Hosting A Sensory Friendly Wedding
Get a read in your guests
The perfect method to anticipate what is going to make your guests most comfortable is to easily ask them. We recommend putting a note in your wedding website or invitations to encourage guests to let you understand in the event that they have any special requests or extra accommodations that might improve their experience. Setting the tone and acknowledging that you need to make adjustments will go a protracted method to making everyone feel welcome.
Confer with your vendors
Experienced vendors are vital to make certain your big day goes off and not using a hitch. Your planner and vendor team are experts who’ve participated in lots of weddings and might have already got ideas to make the experience more inclusive for everybody. Most vendors are pleased to make adjustments to accommodate the needs of your guests. Being transparent together with your wants and goals from the start will make the planning stages less stressful.
Give a heads up on what to anticipate
Consider handing out the wedding day timeline prematurely to cut back uncertainty and provides any routine-favoring guests a heads up on what to anticipate. It’s possible you’ll also wish to let guests see the menu prematurely, as many individuals with sensory sensitivities have limited food selections. Confer with your caterer about including selections that meet your guests’ requests and specific dietary requirements.
Think concerning the lighting
Flashing lights could be dangerous to individuals with sensory difficulties. Not only can they make them feel overwhelmed, but they may cause migraines and nausea. You don’t want anyone at your wedding to get sick, so it’s a very good idea to attempt to keep on with soft natural lighting. It would make your wedding feel more cozy and relaxed too. Nevertheless, if you happen to’re going to incorporate LED lights, strobe lights, or vibrant lights, ensure all of your guests are informed.
Image by Nicole Nero
Consider the noise levels
Weddings are likely to be stuffed with all various kinds of sound. Confer with the DJ or band to maintain the music at an affordable minimum, or consider a silent disco for a singular option for entertainment. You may also provide guests with earplugs or noise-canceling headphones—they make for thoughtful wedding favors too.
Offer a break area
A lounge provides an escape when the sounds, lights, and crowds change into overstimulating. Give your guests a separate space, preferably outdoors to diffuse extra noise, where they’ll sit down and recharge. Arrange signs directing towards these areas, so that they can retreat to this space for some time when needed. Simply knowing there’s a quiet and comfortable area they’ll go to could make a giant difference in comfort levels.
Image by Tayler Ashley Photography
Spend a while doing proper research
On condition that you and your partner are probably the most aware of the main points of your big day, you should prepare yourselves with relevant knowledge and plan for accommodations suited to the circumstances. There are actually many available resources and online communities to learn from. For more insight, you’ll be able to read first-person stories written by people living with a disability on The Mighty. It’s also helpful to talk with medical professionals.
Be at liberty to interrupt tradition
Not every wedding has to follow the identical routine. That’s why unconventional weddings have gotten the brand new normal—from backyard weddings and adventure elopements to shortened ceremonies and multi-day celebrations. And as more soon-to-be-married couples are open to revamping tradition to accommodate diverse needs, eventually, approaches for a sensory friendly wedding may change into the usual.
Be flexible
These best practices are great starting points to making a more sensory friendly celebration. But keep in mind that there’s no such thing as a “one-size-fits-all” solution. Ultimately, the perfect method to prepare is to encourage open communication, have several options ready, and adjust as the necessity arises. Your planner can be there every step of the best way and be sure that all of your guests are cared for.
While this may occasionally seem to be a giant undertaking, with a trusted vendor team by your side, anything is feasible. Making a welcoming environment will be sure that your neurodivergent guests will feel seen, loved, and valued. So don’t be afraid to pave the best way for inclusion, not only for weddings but for every kind of celebrations.
Image by Raw Shoots
