A bride captivated the internet with a unique wedding twist—a temporary tattoo station that left her guests “inked” with love.
Maggie Emory, 26, (@maggiewiththedogs) posted a video showcasing the romantic designs her guests enjoyed to commemorate her marriage to Cameron Dwan, 28, in Hood River, Oregon, in August. The video went viral, amassing 469,200 likes and 19.6 million views on Instagram.
“We were inspired to have the tattoo station because we both love a fun party and have a few tattoos ourselves. We love anything that brings back that childlike feeling, so we thought temporary tattoos would be perfect to give our guests an element of fun and an activity to do at our reception,” Emory, a content creator, told Newsweek.
Emory, originally from Tucson, Arizona, but who now lives in Vancouver, Washington, said her inspiration for the designs came from sentimental moments in her and Dwan’s relationship, things personal to them and also replicas of their own tattoos.
The temporary wedding tattoos. The guests adored the personal touch of the couple’s themed designs.
@maggiewiththedogs/@maggiewiththedogs
“We also included fun sayings and graphics we thought people would love! To put the tattoos on, I found the cutest heart-shaped sponges and gold-accented spray bottles. I also thrifted some glass bowls to set everything in and made a sign that said ‘Our Love Is Forever, Unlike These Tattoos,'” she said.
In the video, guests were seen adorned with personalized hearts inscribed with “Mags” and “Cam,” butterflies, and other love-inspired designs. The playful yet heartfelt idea resonated with her guests, adding a memorable touch to her special day, Emory said.
In a follow-up video, she offered advice for others looking to replicate the experience at their own weddings. While online retailers like Etsy and Amazon offer a variety of generic temporary tattoos, she opted to design her own using Canva.
“Yatted up our wedding reception,” Emory wrote, sharing her excitement.
Nontraditional wedding activities are becoming more popular as couples look for ways to make their receptions unforgettable. From interactive stations to personalized experiences, modern weddings are brimming with creativity.
According to website The Knot, couples are introducing ideas such as karaoke stations, DIY cocktail bars, and live painting sessions. These interactive elements aim to entertain guests and leave them with memories that go beyond the traditional bouquet toss.
Another emerging trend is the incorporation of food trucks or themed snack stations, offering guests a fun and casual dining experience. And some couples choose to have live performers, such as magicians or caricature artists, adding a whimsical touch to the day.
Emory and Dwan’s temporary tattoo station was a huge hit, and many social media viewers shared similar experiences at their own events.
“My 4-year-old niece took over the temp tattoo station at our wedding and gave everyone a tattoo. It was so fun,” said one user, Koral.
Another wrote: “My cousin did this as well! She had hummingbird art in memory of a passed cousin. It was so special.”
And Luci said: “We had a real tattoo artist! 10 minute tattoos for tips. Monumental hit. Worked 6 hours straight and people were turned away because not enough time. Go big or go home!”
Have you had an unconventional wedding? Let us know via life@newsweek.com. We would love to hear all about it, and your story could be featured on Newsweek.
