Useful Information

Five ways to decrease security risks at your wedding

In an ideal world, your wedding day will go off without a hitch. Everyone will have a wonderful time, there will be lots of laughter and fun and you and your friends and family will create memories that will last a lifetime. Unfortunately, not only do accidents happen, but there are also people who will take advantage of what should be the happiest of occasions to get away with their bad intentions. Here’s how to prevent yourself and your family from becoming a target.

Don’t put too much information out there

It’s perfectly fine to share photos and messages from your big day on social media, but the internet is huge and uncontrollable: most of it is open for anyone to see and data can be lifted without you even noticing that something has gone awry. Be careful of the information you put out there, including captions on photographs, as this could help potential identity thieves pick up on your personal details more easily.

Learn about your venue’s security facilities

Each wedding venue is different, and it’s good to know what security features are included in the package, so that you can make an informed decision on whether it is sufficient for your purposes, or whether you should beef up security using outside contractors. It’s also beneficial to know what the safety procedures are in case of an accident such as a fire. It’s unlikely that you’ll ever need it, but that’s why they call it a worst-case scenario.

Crush the wedding crashers

You’ve spent days agonising over your guest list, making sure you’ve invited everyone and feeling bad about anyone who didn’t make the cut – so you certainly shouldn’t have to foot the bill for strangers. While there will probably be distant family members whom you’ve never seen before, don’t be afraid to go up and introduce yourself to anyone who looks like they’re not meant to be there. Ask both sets of parents if they know who the mystery guests are, and if they come up empty, ask the planner, the venue manager or a trusted friend to discreetly approach them and show them out.

Quell family drama

Every family has its fair share of drama, and having relatives who don’t get along all in the same place can be a powder keg waiting to happen. You can brief some of your bridesmaids, groomsmen or even the wedding planner or co-ordinator to keep certain family members away from each other. You can also have a couple of incognito security guards wandering around the reception, who will act immediately if a fight breaks out.

Appoint a housesitter

Security at the venue may be watertight, but what about your home? Whether you’re the bride or groom or a guest at the wedding, you’ll be away from your home for a long period of time; eagle-eyed spotters will have noticed this and may be planning to use it to their advantage. If you’re a guest, ask a trusted friend who’s unrelated to the couple if they would be kind enough to look after your home and any pets you may have while you’re away. If you’re the bride or the groom, most of the people close to you will be at the ceremony, so it’s best to appoint a professional.