Fun and Festive Ideas for a New Year's Eve Wedding

By Emily Platt
December 09, 2014
Nina and Wes Photography

Ring in the new year (and your new marriage) with thematic party decorations and details.

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Nina and Wes Photography
Go Inside This New Year's Eve Wedding

New Year's Eve weddings have a lot of perks. For one, the holiday has a lot in common with nuptial celebrations—both celebrate new beginnings, for example. Additionally, the date basically begs you to throw the party of a lifetime (as if you needed an excuse). But planning a New Year's Eve wedding is no easy feat. Guests will expect a lot from the event, considering that they're giving up the big night to honor you and your future spouse. The last thing you want is to leave them disappointed, and the best way to avoid that is by incorporating the holiday into your theme. They can't miss out on New Year's Eve fun if you're supplying it at your affair!

If you're throwing your party on December 31, you'll need some inspiration for making the most of the occasion. When it comes to décor, think metallics and thematic details (like clocks and confetti). For entertainment, consider celebratory activities and plenty of props (like noisemakers and party hats). As your guests dance from one year into another, provide food to keep them energized, and music to keep them pumped.

See all of these ideas (and many, many more) come to life with this inspirational slideshow. Ahead, we've listed some of our favorite ceremony and reception ideas for honoring New Year's Eve at your wedding. After all, why would you settle on just ringing in the new year, when you can ring in your new marriage at the same time, too? 

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Thematic Save-the-Dates

Trent Bailey
Modern Save-the-Dates for a Contemporary Celebration

These save-the-dates were decorated with metallic confetti to give guests a preview of festivities. 

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Party Horns

Trent Bailey
8 Alternatives to the Traditional Wedding Exit Toss

Encourage your guests to make some noise as you enter (or exit) the reception.

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Celebratory Favors

Trent Bailey
See More Edible Wedding Favors

These edible favors came in witty packaging, which said "Let's Go Nuts!" in reference to the food and the wedding date.

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Creative Photo Sessions

Tana Photography
8 Inventive Ways to Revamp Your Wedding Photo Booth

Take a few silly snapshots with your wedding party. You can set up a New Year's Eve-themed photo booth with props related to the holiday, like party hats, horns, and glasses with the year.

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Late-Night Snacks

Stacy Able Photography
Get More Ideas for Late-Night Wedding Snacks

Fuel your friends and family with yummy treats to keep them dancing all night long. How else are they going to last until midnight?

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Festive Drinkware

Jennifer Domenick/Love Life Images

At this wedding, Champagne was served in fun glassware. Confetti and words like "Cheers" and "Celebrate" adorned each flute.

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Thematic Signage

Michelle Beller
See More Wedding Signs

Honor the upcoming year in a big way, like this couple did at their New Year's Eve wedding. Decorate your lounge area, photo booth, or dance floor with oversized digits.

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Clock Décor

Love & Light Photographs

For a quirky take on the classic New Year's Eve countdown, decorate your reception venue with mismatched clocks.

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Cake Pops

Leslee Mitchell

Let guests eat on the go, so that they never have to stop partying. 

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Fun Portraits

Leslee Mitchell
Get More Ideas for Your Wedding Portraits

With holiday-themed props everywhere, your photographer will be able to capture you and your new spouse doing a few cute poses.

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Statement Accessories

Jennifer Domenick/Love Life Images
See More Statement Wedding Accessories

This bride slipped into festive flats. The left shoe had Champagne glasses on it, and the right shoe said "Cheers." 

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Cork Seating Cards

Alison Conklin
Go Inside This New Year's Eve Wedding

At this event, seating cards were attached to metallic corks as a nod to popping bottles. 

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Balloon Drop

Shaun Menary Photography
Get More Ideas for Incorporating Balloons Into Your Wedding

When the clock hits 12 a.m., release an array of balloons from the ceiling—this creative couple prove that it's worth the splurge.

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Party Hats

Larissa Cleveland Photography

Provide masks, top hats, and more for guests to dress up with. 

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Thematic Invitations

AVERYHOUSE

Get guests excited for a New Year's Eve wedding and send out invites in a glam color palette. Thematic motifs are also welcome (this stationery suite featured a bottle of bubbly on the outer envelope).

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Sequined Bridesmaids' Dresses

Kate Headley

Let your bridesmaids sparkle. These ladies stepped out in sequinned Adrianna Papell dresses.

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Champagne Tower

Mint Photography
See Champagne Towers from Real Weddings

Toast to new beginnings with a Champagne tower.

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Cocktail Hour Décor

Heather Waraksa

This couple garnished their signature drinks with gold, pom-pom stir sticks.

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Noisemaker Escort Cards

For a fun touch, use noisemakers as escort cards like this bride and groom did at their wedding.

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Festive Menus

Wish wedding guests a "Bonne Année!" as they sit down to dinner.

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Interactive Guest Book

Allow guests to choose a playful prediction for the new year from a wall of envelopes, then have them write resolutions for the newlyweds into a nearby guest book.

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Thematic Music

Nirav Patel

Dance to Dick Haymes's 1947 version of "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?" like this couple did at their holiday bash.

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Celebratory Wedding Cake

See More Metallic Wedding Cakes

Decorate your wedding cake with golden details and the lyrics to "Auld Lang Syne," like this one by People's Cake from a New Year's Eve wedding.

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Confetti Toss

Let it rain colorful confetti to celebrate the new year, or give it to guests to throw for the exit toss.

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Festive Cake Topper

Nirav Patel

Modify a vintage cake topper to include a gold hat for the groom and fireworks behind the couple for a festive twist on tradition.

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Fireworks

Nirav Patel

Follow this couple's example and conclude the evening (and year) with an amazing fireworks display.

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Sparklers

Aneta Mak
See More Sparklers and Fireworks from Real Weddings

If you don't want to work with full-blown explosives, add some flare to your reception with sparklers. This couple used them to decorate their dessert. "It got everyone's attention," the bride recalled.

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By Emily Platt