How to Plan a Surprise Wedding Without Spoiling the Secret

If you're the type of couple who can't resist the opportunity to wow your friends and family by catching them totally off guard with something better than they could have ever imagined, then a surprise wedding could be in the cards for your big day.

These unexpected celebrations have been increasing in popularity in recent years, especially for those who want all the fun of a festive occasion, but without the months of planning, opinions and budget that can go into a full-blown wedding. Guests show up expecting an engagement party or even a birthday party, and they're shocked when the couple announces they'll actually be saying, "I do."

Mary Smith, wedding planning specialist and founder of Vowness, explains, "Surprise we­ddings are a truly special and exciting way to ce­lebrate love, and I have­ had the honor of successfully planning three­ of them. The key is timing and cre­ativity."

In this article:

• What Is a Surprise Wedding?
• How to Plan a Surprise Wedding
• How to Find a Surprise Wedding Venue
• How Do You Reveal a Surprise Wedding?
• How Common Are Surprise Weddings?

What Is a Surprise Wedding?

A surprise wedding is just what it sounds like: a wedding that's a surprise to everyone but the couple! Typically, the couple will plan a celebration of some sort, whether that's an engagement party, holiday party or summer picnic. However, that celebration is just a cover for the important occasion. Once they've gathered their closest friends and family in one place, they'll reveal the big surprise — they're actually there to witness the couple say their vows.

FEATURED VIDEO FROM THE KNOT

How to Plan a Surprise Wedding

If you've ever thrown a surprise party, you know the pressure of coordinating all the details while hiding them from your guest of honor. Now imagine that every guest is the guest of honor, and every single one of them has to be kept outside of the circle of trust. Not surprisingly, there's a lot going on when you plan a surprise wedding! Here's how to pull it off flawlessly.

1. Ask yourself if a surprise wedding is right for you.

"For couples looking for a celebration that's unique and less pressure, it can be a homerun," says Sarah Klingman, CEO and Founder of Gthr. But, she points out that there's a flip side that could mean giving up some of the traditional trappings of a wedding and all of the events that lead up to it. "The couple must be comfortable with some friends and family members missing the event, as well as skipping out on a lot of the festivities leading up to the big day," explains Klingman.

Planning a surprise wedding may be a quicker process, so there may not be a shower or a bachelorette party, and some people who wouldn't dream of skipping the wedding may not fly in for an engagement party, housewarming or whichever ruse you come up with for the surprise.

2. Consider whether a surprise wedding is right for your guests.

While your opinion matters most, Smith notes that she has seen guests react less than positively, so it's important to know your audience. If there's a parent or close relative that might feel slighted by missing the planning process, a surprise wedding might not be the best route.

3. Make sure you can keep a secret.

"Make sure you can keep it a secret," advises Klingman. This one is basic, but it's the most critical part of planning a surprise wedding. If you are someone who can't resist spilling the beans, then a surprise wedding may not be for you. Once one person finds out, it's not long before a game of telephone happens and the whole world knows.

4. Hire a wedding planner or coordinator.

Klingman says, "Hire a planner. It's arguably even more important than a traditional wedding since family and friends won't be able to help, and logistics need to be perfect to pull it off." You also won't have others to bounce ideas off of or task with DIY projects, so hiring extra help is necessary so you can focus on being present and enjoying the celebration.

5. Choose the right cover event.

You have endless choices for a cover event. Anything except a wedding is fair game. An engagement party, a big birthday party, a housewarming party, or even a backyard picnic are all great ways to gather friends and family before you say, "I do."

Klingman explains, "The right cover event is ultimately personal to the couple, but in a lot of cases, the best option is an engagement party. The couple needs to choose an event that will garner attendance without tipping their family and friends off."

Depending on the couple, that event could look slightly unconventional. "We recently had a couple come to us planning a wedding disguised as a Halloween engagement party. They met on Halloween a few years prior, so it was perfect," says Klingman. She adds, "The couple should make the celebration personal to their love story."

6. Make sure you've made it legal.

Amidst all the secretive planning and coordination, make sure you don't keep it a secret from the courthouse. You'll still need to remember to get all of your documents and your marriage license in order, as well as secure a legal officiant so that you can actually pronounce yourselves married.

7. Carefully rehearse the surprise.

Keep the lines of communication open and clear with your planner and coordinator throughout the process so the surprise can go off without a hitch. Smith advises, "Careful planning and rehe­arsal of the big reveal are­ crucial, as well as keeping e­verything tightly sealed. The goal is to create a truly bre­athtaking moment filled with love and astonishme­nt."

How to Find a Surprise Wedding Venue

When you're looking for a surprise wedding venue, make sure it's not somewhere that gives away the surprise. Traditional wedding venues might hint at what's about to happen, unless there's a good cover, like an engagement party. Instead, look at smaller, quirkier venues or non-traditional spots. Try a bar, restaurant or park where you can throw a celebration under the guise of another event. Need ideas? Try searching venues on The Knot Vendor Marketplace by filtering for guest size and venue type.

And don't be afraid to think outside the box if you want to truly surprise your guests! Smith says, "I planned a surprise wedding for a couple who shared a de­ep love for a particular theme­ park. We planne­d what appeared to be an ordinary trip to the­ park but we surprised their guests with the couple's dream we­dding, right in front of the iconic castle. The mome­nt was simply magical!"

How Do You Reveal a Surprise Wedding?

When the moment comes to reveal the real reason you've brought together your nearest and dearest, you have a few options that go beyond shouting, "Surprise, we're getting married!"

The bride could make a grand entrance in a wedding dress, tipping off onlookers to what's going on. There could be a curtain drawn on the ceremony setup so you can dramatically open it to reveal why you're gathered there today. Or, you could grab a microphone for a toast, and make an announcement that the celebration is going to take a quick turn towards matrimony.

And Klingman says not to worry about the reaction, "Once the surprise is announced, the energy in the room is both electric and emotional every time."

"Surprise­ weddings tend to be e­mbraced warmly and leave a lasting impre­ssion on both the couple and their gue­sts. Se­eing the mix of shock and joy on guests' faces is truly heartwarming," adds Smith.

How Common Are Surprise Weddings?

Surprise weddings are still a delightful surprise that most people haven't had the pleasure of attending. But, that could be changing. Smith says, "Surprisingly, many couples actually e­xpress interest in having surprise­ weddings. They are captivate­d by the idea of adding an ele­ment of spontaneity and surprise to the­ir big day."

In a season where so much is planned and anticipated, adding something totally unexpected to the mix can add romance and fun—and the feeling that you and your partner pulled off the ultimate surprise.