It’s hard to remember that there was ever a time before the Internet and social media—especially when it comes to throwing a wedding. How did wedding guests collect all the details before emails and websites? And how would they let the world know they wore a bright blue tux if not for Instagram?
Hashtags—and social media in general—essentially become a one-stop shop where you and your guests can brag, brand, and reminisce. Not only do they allow your guests to post photos that are collected in one place, they also become the evidence that helps you chronologically track and relive your entire wedding day (or weekend) from the moment of “yes” through the “I dos,” past the drunk pics, and even onto the honeymoon, explains Ashley Greer, owner of Atelier Ashley Flowers.
The Role of the Almighty Hashtag
Hashtags are most often used in Instagram as a way to organize photo memories, candid moments, and behind-the-scenes glimpses posted by a myriad of individuals, from friends to professional vendors, in one single, scrollable page. So if you randomly combine two people’s names and add “get married” — like this: #billandmarygetmarried — then you will see the collection of pics published with that hashtag. If there are two couples of Bill and Mary, then, sorry, their photos will all get mixed together. In this case, there are only six photos, so it seems likely that this couple pretty much owns the hashtag. For now.
Hashtags can also be used on Facebook, Twitter, or as, Greer adds, as a momentary aggregator of a jaunty catch-phrase for amusement (#livingthedream had 5.8 million posts at press time).
Wedding hashtags full-on set the tone for the soon-to-be married couple and their wedding events, from the very first moment of engagement to the bridal shower, bachelor party, and, of course, the big day. “Many couples choose playful and creative puns or combinations of their names to create the perfect hashtag,” explains Lisa Grotts, San Francisco-based etiquette expert. “Hashtags provide quick and easy access to all of the wedding photos and allow guests to contribute their photos and videos to the entire collection of images under a specific hashtag.”
Hashtags in Invitations and Guest Place Cards
Hashtags can also play an off-line role, starring in everything from your wedding decor to your wedding stationery. In fact, wedding stationery designer, Marlie Renee, of Marlie Renee Designs, usually asks her couples if they are going to use a wedding hashtag during their initial consultation to show them how they can incorporate it into their stationery.
“A hashtag can be included in your invitation suite or wedding day details, like adding it to a welcome sign, a seating chart or the back of guests’ place cards, on your ceremony programs, or throughout cocktail hour like on napkins, coasters or signature cocktail signs,” she explains. “For my own wedding, my then-fiancé Dan and I were having a hard time choosing our perfect hashtag, so on the back of our RSVP card, we asked guests to help us pick our wedding hashtag giving the three top options we liked best, as well as leaving a space for guests to write additional ones in.”
In Renee’s case, her guests loved the added interactive element and she had a lot of fun reading the RSVPs and seeing what people picked (or the hysterical new ideas her wittiest friends and family members suggested).
“Then on our wedding day, we revealed the winner, which was #WhenaDanlovesawoman.” This was Renee’s winning wedding hashtag for several reasons. Firstly, it includes her husband’s name. Second, it is easy to remember. It also happens to be a play on one of the most romantic slow songs of all time: “When a Man Loves a Woman” by Percy Sledge. “When we were getting married there were only a few other posts that used this so we knew we were in the clear,” she adds.
Hashtags can take on all sorts of forms and tones—they can be funny, witty, whimsical, trendy, or romantic, like in Renee’s case. This all depends on the couple and their personality. “Most couples have a favorite song or nicknames for one another which can aid in the creation of the perfect hashtag; however, if you can’t find inspiration on your own, there are many ready-made hashtags,” explains Grotts. “It’s all about brainstorming to find a meaningful fit—some couples prefer a humorous take on hashtags while others prefer something easy for all guests to remember.”
When Do You Create a Wedding Hashtag? (Early as Possible)
There’s really no hard-and-fast rule when it comes to when to create your wedding hashtag. The sooner one is created, however, the sooner you can start reaping the benefits of having one, namely having a collective space where wedding-related photos can live. Now, “wedding-related” can mean basically whatever you want it to mean. It can include dress or tux shopping, bachelor or bachelorette party events (although you may want to think twice about what pics live on from that weekend), any wedding planning meetings or appointments, and of course wedding festivities such as the engagement party, rehearsal dinner, welcome party and beyond.
#HashtagTips
Not sure where to start when it comes to creating a wedding hashtag that fits your personality as a couple? Let these expert-approved tips be your guide.
Get creative (puns optional)
Kevin Dennis, owner of Fantasy Sound Event Service, recommends kicking things off with a little brainstorming. “Think about your personality as a couple—are you the funny, playful kind or a bit more on the serious side?” he says. “Something with a pun may be more your style, but maybe you’re the kind to pull something from pop culture or current events.” The tone is totally up to you and your partner.
One of Renee’s couples chose a hashtag that was creative and unique. The only real detail it included was their wedding date: #OnCloud929. Once they decided on this hashtag, the couple took things one step further by letting it inspire their first dance: They included a fog machine to make it look like they were dancing on the clouds.
Be original (and make sure your hashtag isn’t taken already)
Next to being creative, you want to choose a hashtag that is as unique as possible. Since hashtags have become so popular, this can prove to be tricky. “It’s difficult to create a brand new one that no one has ever used, but it is possible to find wedding hashtags that have very few previous posts or usage that are fine to use,” says Justina Michaels, Manhattan-based wedding planner and owner of Fitting Fêtes. “Your names are the most unique tools you have so use them to your advantage, so encourage family members and friends to assist as they know your personalities well and can help create a hashtag that suits you best.”
Another major incentive to creating your own unique hashtag is so your photos don’t get mixed up with another couple’s photos. No one wants to confuse you for another bride and groom when they’re in search of your wedding photos only.
Use memes sparingly or your hashtag may sound dated
If there is a meme that fits well with your last name, interests, location, etc., then it might be appropriate to get inspiration from a meme or popular culture reference, explains Grotts. However, this can be a slippery slope. If it’s a very now meme or reference, it’ll be old news in a few years and potentially even in just a few months. Instead, Grotts suggests putting on your creative thinking cap whether it be a play on your names or a place where you met.
Example: #MendezGotWood – Now this one may not be for everyone, but I loved it. It was funny because it included both of the couple’s last names in a witty, memorable way. They are a very fun couple, so it went off with a hitch for their wedding guests.
Don’t make it too long or generic
If the hashtag is too long, it will discourage people from actually using it. Making it shorter and using fairly simple terminology will help avoid a scenario where people misspell the hashtag, which ruins the entire point of having one in the very first place. That being said, you don’t want to make it too generic either, like #weregettingmarried. “Making it too common will not allow you to see a curated collection of your wedding day photos,” adds Renee. “You want it to be unique to you as a couple using your names, dates or things relevant to you.”
Spread the word, let the world know
If you’re looking to get the most out of your wedding hashtag, you’ll want to use it in every aspect of your big day. Post it all over your wedding website, in every single post you write about your wedding and in any paper products you print for your wedding like a welcome letter or ceremony program. If guests don’t know about the hashtag, they most certainly won’t use it! Include it in and on every facet of your wedding day to ensure that it lives up to its expectation, serving as a memory collector for your important day and something that will live on through the years, potentially longer than you.
Clever Hashtags You Can Steal
Here are some that are worth adapting with your own names:
- At last (ex: #AverbachAtLast)
- Betrothed (ex: #BufordBetrothed)
- Bewitched (ex: #BewitchedByBurdon)
- Captivated (ex: #CaptivatedByCurry)
- Charmed (ex: #ChesterfieldCharmed)
- Crazy about (ex: #CrazyAboutCrenshaw)
- Dreaming (ex: #DorneDreaming)
- Enamored (ex: #EnamoredWithEllsworth)
- Enchanted (ex: #EnchatedByEnnis)
- Fond (ex: #FondOfFirestein)
- Forever (ex: #ForeverFlugelhorn)
- Finally (ex: #FinallyFriedberg)
- Happily Ever After (ex: #HappilyEverAbner)
- Head Over Heels (ex: #HeadOverHeelsForHyung)
- Hooked On (ex: #HookedOnHelleman)
- Hot For (ex: #HotForHaberman)
- Infatuated (ex: #InfatuatedWithIrving)
- Lovestruck (ex: #LorimerLovestruck)
- Loving (ex: #LovingLeshowitz)
- Married (ex: #MagnusonMarried)
- Meet the (ex: #MeetTheMoritzes)
- Off The Market (ex: #OrnaOffTheMarket)
- Smitten (ex: #SmittenForSchuman)
- Sweet on (ex: #SweetOnStrauss)
- Taken (ex: #TheTewlowsAreTaken)
- Tie The Knot (ex: #JohnandJenTieTheKnot)
- Under the Spell (ex: #UnderTheSpellOfUnderwood)
- Wooing (ex: #WooingWong)
