Sensory-friendly events are becoming more common as people recognize the benefits. If anyone in your family or circle of friends deals with autism, epilepsy, PTSD, ADHD, or any other neurodivergent conditions, planning a sensory-friendly wedding is a great way to make them feel safe and comfortable on your big day.

Even if you or your partner don’t have any sensory-specific needs, it’s important to consider your guests — many of them may be more sensory-sensitive than you realize. The last thing you want is for someone not to come because they’re nervous about noise or certain situations, or to have them come feeling stressed or anxious.

Even if you’re not sure where to get started in making your special day sensory-friendly, we’ve got you covered. Let’s cover a few tips you can keep in mind to keep things safe and sensory-friendly for everyone.

1. Offer Some Space

While wedding ceremonies might be quiet and peaceful, receptions don’t have the same reputation.

Most wedding receptions feature loud music, dancing, a lot of talking, and laughter. Those are all great things and should be included in your celebration. However, for people with sensory issues, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by that kind of commotion. For example, noise sensitivity is extremely common in adults with autism. Loud noises can be painful and cause anxiety. Commotion can also cause issues for those with PTSD, ADHD, or other neurodivergent conditions.

One of the best things you can do to give those individuals a “break” is to book a venue with a lot of space and preferably multiple rooms. Set up signs beforehand directing guests towards these areas, so in times of chaos or noise, they can retreat to this quiet oasis for a while. Simply knowing there is a safe, quiet space they can turn to if they need to step away can make a big difference in their comfort levels.

Lights can also be a problem for neurodivergent individuals. Not only can they make them feel overwhelmed, but they can contribute to migraines and cause symptoms like

• Pain in the face or neck;
• Nausea;
• Distorted vision;
• Dizziness

Obviously, you don’t want anyone at your wedding feeling sick. In addition to having a separate area where people can go to find some peace and quiet, consider speaking with your DJ about keeping noise levels down and not using any flashing lights, and if you do want those features, consider asking the DJ to warn guests when they’re about to appear.

2. Talk to Your Vendors

In addition to having a separate area where people can go to find some peace and quiet, clearly communicate with all of your vendors about sensory-friendly goals you may have.

Everyone you work with and hire is there to make sure your special day goes off without a hitch. Most vendors are happy to make small adjustments to accommodate the needs of your guests. Many vendors have also done hundreds of weddings and might already have ideas on how to make the experience more inclusive for everyone. By being transparent with your needs and wants from the beginning, the planning stages will be less stressful.

If your vendors aren’t familiar with how to make those changes, consider explaining some of the issues your guests might face. For example, let your vendors know what neurodivergence means and how they can adjust their services. Specifically, consider speaking with your DJ about keeping noise levels down and not using any flashing lights, and if you do want those features, consider asking the DJ to warn guests when they’re about to appear.

By focusing on making your wedding accessible for everyone, you’re celebrating all of the greatest relationships in your life! The more people willing to do things like this, the more common it will be for vendors to know exactly what to do for sensory-friendly weddings. Don’t be afraid to be a trendsetter in that movement.

3. Keep Things Small and Intimate

People tend to give in to the stigma about what they think a wedding should be. However, at the end of the day, the ceremony and reception are all about you and your partner. That’s one reason why unconventional weddings are becoming more popular than ever. Some of the most popular trends that are tossing away tradition include

• Unique venues;
• Getting married on a weekday;
• Hosting a wedding brunch;
• Casual attire;
• “Adventure” weddings.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, people had to get even more creative with their wedding plans if they wanted to include their friends and family. There’s no reason you can’t continue with those creative ideas if you have loved ones who need a sensory-friendly environment. Consider keeping things small, quiet, and intimate instead of throwing a big bash.

Not only will a smaller wedding save you money, but it can make the day seem more special and romantic with only your closest friends and family involved.

There’s no reason you can’t plan a sensory-friendly wedding that is extremely special and memorable. Being able to include everyone you love will make your big day that much better, and you can do that by making sure they’re safe and comfortable throughout the event. Keep these ideas in mind if you’re in the planning stages, and be sure to let your guests know ahead of time what steps you’re taking to make things as sensory-friendly as possible.