When planning a wedding, just about every couple knows they’ll need someone to take care of flowers, someone to handle a cake, someone to cover photography, someone to officially marry them. Those are some of the necessities. But when I was planning my own wedding, there was something I never considered: Bringing in someone unexpected adds a unique, fun, memorable touch to the wedding. So I’ve rounded up a few ideas of these types of services/vendors, and shared a few local professionals who offer these services.

Popcorn Bars
We all know about chocolate fountains and the ever-popular candy bars, but have you ever heard of offering a popcorn bar? I’m probably popcorn’s biggest fan, but I like it pure and unadulterated, with just butter and salt . . . or so I thought. Who knew that a peanut butter banana combo on popcorn would be absolutely delish?! Offer a popcorn bar as your guests’ wedding favor, and they will definitely leave with not only a tasty favor they will enjoy, but something memorable, too.

Florida professionals who offers this service: Pop-N-Off, Kernel Encore, and Mrs. Bee’s, who provided this popcorn bar.

Live Wedding Painting
At the last Dubsdread tasting, we met Jacob Neagle, and we were blown away by his talent that he offers to couples at their weddings: He will live-paint the event on canvas or linen, creating a truly one-of-a-kind piece of artwork to grace the couple’s home. Entertaining for guests to watch, a conversation piece in the couple’s home after the wedding, and an incredible memory all wrapped in one, this is something I really wish I had known existed and had sought out for my own wedding!

A Florida professional who offers this service: Jacob James Neagle.

Custom Chalk Art
Cute wedding signage really ups the put-together-ness of any wedding — but gorgeously designed and hand-drawn wedding signage takes that to another level. From beautiful menus to table numbers to seven foot tall backdrops, the sky is pretty much the limit when it comes to what you can have chalk-drawn for your wedding.

A Florida professional who offers this service: The Chalk Shop.

Food Trucks
While they’re a wedding staple in some parts of the country, food trucks are a little less common in Florida. But there are plenty of options for offering your guests a unique, taste-specific late-night snack, from lobster rolls to Korean BBQ to Cuban to gelato.

You can find a list of Florida professionals who offer this service here.

Dancing
One of the most exciting things I’ve ever seen happen at a wedding was when a traditional Thai dancer surprised the guests — and the bride and groom — at Kristin and Billy’s wedding this past December. A performance isn’t something guests usually expect, and it not only ups the energy level at a wedding but leaves the guests talking about something they rarely get to enjoy. In most cities, you’ll be able to find dancers in a variety of disciplines, from ballroom to ballet to ethnic, who would be available to perform at your reception.

You can search for Florida professionals who offer this service here.

There are so many professionals out there who can help make a wedding unique and memorable and exciting — professionals most couples don’t even realize exist. So do some internet searches, ask your friends and the wedding professionals you’ve already hired for recommendations, and have fun adding creative flourishes to your wedding day!

~ Laura