If you've been to one wedding, you've seen it all. From the flowers and the candles to the dress and the music, the typical wedding can be as predictable and generic as your Uncle Leo's dance moves. For your wedding to stand out, you need to involve your guests in the sentiment and process of the day. It's not the cake or the great food that will be remembered, but all the little details that will make your wedding as unique and memorable for your guests as it will be for you. These 25 ideas on how to personalize your day will make it the event that will be talked about for years to come:
1. Write a welcome note for your out-of-town guests on postcards from the city your wedding takes place. It's a nice personal touch that shows tremendous thought as well as a keepsake that can be saved with photos of the wedding.
2. Include an "About the Wedding Party" section in your programs or on the reception tables for your guests to learn more about the members of your bridal party. Not everyone will know that you and your Maid of Honor have been best friends since preschool.
3. Hang your dress on a pretty silk coat hanger the day of your wedding. People will be taking photographs of the dress before you put it on and you'd like to avoid having it on an old wire coat hanger.
4. Send your invitations to Loveville, Maryland first -- they've developed special wedding postmarks that add a nice "love" touch to your envelope. Call 301-475-5243 for details.
5. Invite the President, Pope, and the Queen of England for a special wedding surprise. Be sure to send their invites out early.
6. If you're planning on taking pictures prior to the ceremony, clear everyone out of the ceremony site and have your groom at the end of the aisle. Walk down the aisle, so it's only the two of you. It's a very sweet and special moment that you can share... and the pictures of the tears in his eyes will be priceless.
7. Place tissues or personalized embroidered handkerchiefs in the rows where family will be seated for their "tears of joy".
8. Write a letter to your mom and dad and have it waiting for them at their seat during the ceremony. It could be about anything: a thank you, how you hope your marriage turns out like theirs, your gratitude everything they have done for you, etc. They will be so touched and honored that you took the time to arrange for this and you'll have them in tears before you begin to walk down the aisle!
9. Have each bridesmaid carry a bouquet made entirely of their favorite flower. Your bouquet will be a combination of all of their flowers.
10. Dress your flowergirl in a bright color rather than a replica of your dress so that the dress can be worn again.
11. Read your vows to candlelight. All your guests will receive a candle on their way into the ceremony. When it comes time for the vows, have your ushers or groomsmen go around and light the candle at the end of the row and let them "pass the flame." It's a nice romantic touch to a very sentimental and powerful moment.
12. For family members who have passed away or cannot physically be there with you, wear something of theirs so that they are with you. It could be a lapel pin tied to the ribbon of your bouquet, your great aunt's pearls, or your grandmother's handkerchief.
13. Pick a special ceremony start time, like 5:17 -- the exact time he proposed to you.
14. Serve your cocktails from a "Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue" menu. Take recommendations from special people involved in the wedding for their favorite old/classic drink, a new/modern drink, a favorite borrowed unique drink recipe, and a blue cocktail. It's a festive way to get the party started!
15. If an ice sculpture is a must have, go for a martini luge. It's a great accent to every bar and it will certainly give your guests something to talk about!
16. Write special love quotes on the inside of everyone's place cards.
17. Forget the clinking glasses and ringing bells. Have your guests sing loves songs to get you and your groom to smooch during the reception.
18. Have guests sign a tablecloth or guest book platter to be used at special dinners in the future in lieu of a guestbook.
19. Set small photo albums, notecards and a disposable camera at each table. Create a sign asking each guest to write some words of wisdom on the notecards and put the card into the photo album. Make sure they take a photo of everyone at the table. After the wedding you can combine the notecard on the same page as the photograph and you'll have a special keepsake of every guest at your wedding.
20. Be sure to have your parents and married siblings first dances played at the reception- and make sure the DJ or band recognizes them when its played!
21. Rather than doing the money dance, do a "wish dance". The bride and groom start off dancing together, then guests cut in for 10-20 seconds of dancing and their chance to give you any last minute marriage advice and parting words.
22. Assign table numbers by age and accent the decor with pictures of you and fianc? from that time. For example...at table sixteen you could show pictures of your fianc? with his new car and you at your sweet 16 birthday party.
23. Be sure to have a kid oriented table. Lay down block paper for them to draw on, have them make you cards, serve hot dogs, chicken fingers, ice cream sundaes. Perhaps even have a side room for them with Disney movies playing or a magician for entertainment. Your guests will love you for getting the kids out of their hair for the night!
24. Wrap a "keep out" or "no trespassing" sign around your leg outside of the garter. Your groom will find a shocking surprise when he dives in and your guests will find it to be quite humorous!
25. Race through a tunnel of swords, ski poles, sparklers or boat oars for a different grand exit.
Remember that this wedding is about celebrating your love and inviting your family and friends to see a glimpse of who you are. Don't be afraid to do things a little differently... your guests will appreciate and remember your day all the more for it!
Reprint Rights: Feel free to use this article on your website or online publication. Please remember that you must include the resource box and live URL links, exactly as shown below, to the author's website at the end of the article.
Ashley Rader is the owner and editor for moments of elegance bridal, an online boutique specializing in moments of elegance bridal, moments of elegance bridal and wedding accents that will truely make your event unforgettable.
experienced cleaning professionals Des Plaines ..This season, a Caribbean honeymoon vacation will give you unlimited... Read More
As a Personal Trainer for brides-to-be, I often get asked... Read More
The sole purpose of save-the-date cards is to give the... Read More
When planning your wedding, what type of entertainment are you... Read More
As mens wedding rings become more and more popular mens... Read More
The exact origin of the wedding ring is uncertain and... Read More
Going to Italy on a honeymoon vacation could be the... Read More
Ah! It's the wedding night. You've cut the cake, drank... Read More
Brides are looking for different ways to make their wedding... Read More
Prescription for a happy marriage: one cup of tea or... Read More
If you're getting married, a Bridal Show is a great... Read More
Being a best man is like many duties you will... Read More
The term and role "Maid of Honor" is sometimes confusing,... Read More
In a fast-paced world of wedding planning, stress levels are... Read More
Need a quick idea to dress up a mediocre wedding?... Read More
Thank You, Merci, Arigatou, Gracias, Xie-Xie?Gratitude is a universal emotion.... Read More
Whether we like it or not current trends in engagement... Read More
If you're looking to the internet for help with your... Read More
Mexico, a country rich in arts and ancient cultures and... Read More
Apparently for a person to get married is like burning... Read More
In the next six months, my... Read More
Your big day is now over all the stress of... Read More
There are so many styles of wedding gown to choose... Read More
Just like weddings, receptions are often theme based as well.... Read More
Got a yen for Elvis? Lots of people do. There... Read More
green cleaning service Deerfield ..A 50th anniversary gift commemorates a milestone most married couples... Read More
Overwhelmed is a common feeling a bride-to-be experiences as she... Read More
Being disc jockeys, we get the opportunity to evaluate many... Read More
There is little doubt that planning a wedding can be... Read More
Have you ever heard the expression, "The Urge to Merge"?It... Read More
Although I do believe in "till death do us part",... Read More
Marriage has to be the greatest opportunity for mindfulness on... Read More
Choosing who should walk down the aisle with you is... Read More
One of the most beautiful of the bride's adornments at... Read More
Moissanite is fast becoming the new diamonds. The newest jewelry... Read More
All brides want that one photograph that perfectly captures the... Read More
We've all been through times in our lives when it... Read More
How much should you spend on a diamond engagement ring?$100?$1000?How... Read More
One of the best benefits of marriage is that you... Read More
It goes without saying that we all want to look... Read More
Wedding receptions are not as formal as they once were,... Read More
The job of choosing the right wedding cake style is... Read More
Traditionally, a wedding band was worn on the ring finger... Read More
Wedding favors have evolved over time. Wedding favors today combine... Read More
The exact origin of the wedding ring is uncertain and... Read More
When it comes to placing your new diamond in a... Read More
You and the one you love are dreaming of an... Read More
Not so many years ago, the proposition of a wedding... Read More
When people plan to marry, they expect to find in... Read More
No one wants to pay more than they have to... Read More
Marriage & Wedding |