6 Unique Guest Experience Ideas To Elevate Your Wedding Day

Afternoon tea offers the perfect moment to slow down and celebrate with your inner circle before the big day. It’s also an ideal time to give gifts, share some laughs, and calm any nerves together. The Station House Hotel includes complimentary afternoon tea in our all-inclusive wedding packages, served in the comfort of our vintage-inspired bridal suites. Enjoy gourmet sandwiches, scones, pastries, and a glass of prosecco with your closest friends as you get ready in style.

To learn more about hosting your wedding at The Station House Hotel, download our brochure and check the dates for our upcoming wedding showcase events.

Start your wedding weekend with a refreshing welcome walk or bike ride that lets guests soak in the local sites and scenery. It’s a perfect, low-pressure way for everyone to mingle before the formal festivities begin—and for those hosting a destination wedding, it’s a thoughtful way to give guests time to explore the area with friends and family. Include an illustrated map or route card in guests’ welcome bags for a personal touch.

The Station House Hotel offers complimentary bikes for guests, making it easy to explore the beauty of the surrounding Boyne Valley. Ideally located near iconic landmarks like the Hill of Tara, guests can enjoy a self-guided ride through lush landscapes and centuries of Irish history. 

Invite your guests to help shape the soundtrack of your wedding. Include a line in your RSVP form or wedding website asking attendees to suggest one song that gets them on the dance floor. This lets everyone feel personally involved and ensures your DJ set is packed with crowd-pleasers. Display the final playlist on signage or share it post-wedding as a musical keepsake of the night everyone danced together.

Add bespoke artistry to your ceremony with a live wedding illustrator. As the day unfolds, they’ll capture candid moments— like your vows, the first dance, or guests laughing over dinner—through quick, expressive sketches. These one-of-a-kind illustrations make for cherished keepsakes and can even double as unique thank-you cards. Many illustrators also offer custom guest portraits to take home, providing a charming, personalized alternative to the traditional photo booth.

Station House couple Jen and Martin hired illustrator Linda Byrne (pictured above) to create beautiful illustrations for their guests. Read more about Jen and Martin’s vibrant September wedding.

Nothing breaks the ice faster than a little friendly competition. Set up a lawn games corner with classics like croquet or cornhole, or have fun with oversized games like giant Jenga, checkers, or Connect Four. It gives guests something fun to do during cocktail hour or while waiting for photos to wrap. These games add a relaxed, playful vibe to your day and are especially great for kids, bored uncles, or anyone who needs a break from dancing. Bonus points if you brand the boards with your names or wedding date—they’ll look great in photos and make a perfect souvineer!

Serve up drinks packed with personality. Signature cocktails are a fun and simple way to add flair to your reception. Create one for each of you based on your personal tastes, or name them after your pets, hometowns, or favorite inside jokes. Include custom menus and playful signage to let guests in on the story behind each drink, and it’s a guaranteed conversation starter while they wait at the bar. And don’t forget the late-night snacks—after hours of dancing and drinking, offering some sliders, fries, or mini desserts keeps the energy high and your guests happily fed as the party rolls on.