Instead of letting a wedding planner or catering consultant turn your wedding into another cookie cutter event, use your imagination to make the event one-of-a-kind. Creativity can help to make any wedding look like it cost a million dollars.
1 Consider all your invitation options. Don’t limit yourself to the conservative engraved variety. How about one that’s folded — origami style — into a crane? Why not use a delicate blue or shell pink paper stock instead of white? Simple is always better for a bride. Engraved is nice, but a small wedding might use calligraphy — or even your own personally handwritten invitation. Did you fall in love while on vacation? How about printing the invitation on a postcard from the site of your meeting?
2 Choose interesting mood music. “Here Comes the Bride” is traditional but boring. No one will call a halt to the proceedings if you choose the Toreador song from “Carmen” or “Love Will Keep Us Together” by the Captain & Tennille. Pick a song that has real meaning for you both.
3 Instead of rounding up the usual catering suspects, call on your favorite restaurant and see if they can provide the wedding goodies. And it doesn’t have to be a dinner. An early wedding brunch after a sunrise ceremony or an intimate supper following a late afternoon wedding are more glamourous than the usual reception. Pick foods you love, not run of the mill chicken-or-fish. Can you serve chili and beer? Why not? Mushroom risotto and a 100% vegan menu? Absolutely.
4 Make it your celebration. And don’t forget dessert. The wedding cake can be the usual bridal delight, or you can let your fantasy take sweet flight…cakes come in virtually any shape, size or configuration. They can be covered with real flowers, or dripping in edible pearls. The happy couple can be displayed in icing, or the cake can pay homage to the hobby that brought you together. It’s your choice to make.
5 Have a special friend or family member officiate your wedding. You are not limited to your priest, with the proper preparation anyone of your choosing can legally conduct your wedding ceremony. See information on Becoming Ordained to prepare your choice of an officiant.
6 Consider a theme wedding. It is a perfect opportunity to incorporate your personalities and passions into your special day. If you have always dreamed of royalty for a day, plan a formal wedding. Alternatively, maybe you prefer a different kind of royalty of the glamour of old Hollywood. Be creative – the possibilities are endless.
7 Thrill your grandparents by adding a touch of your personal heritage with some traditional food. For example, a Japanese feast may not excite you but you can consider serving some sushi. Whatever your background is, there must be some delicious items that you can incorporate into your menu.
Other Tips
Use personalized postage stamps for your invitations. You select a photo, go to photostamps, upload the picture, pick out a stamp you like and place your order. Voila, about a week or so later, you’ve got personalized postage stamps.
Your favorite “couples” picture is perfect for wedding invitations…and think long term: This could be the start of a family tradition, with babies, anniversaries, all the milestones marked by your own family stamps.
Consider a mermaid wedding dresses of another color! Or order a custom corset with matching skirt. It can be cheaper than many wedding dresses from local retailers.
Include your special pet in your wedding, and be sure to dress them up in a dog tuxedo or dress! Some pets can be excitable, though, so to save your dress, be sure to visit the groomer and have vinyl nail caps applied to your pet’s nails. They are made for cats as well as dogs, and they come in several colors.
Include your special pet in your wedding, and be sure to dress them up in a dog tuxedo or dress! Some pets can be excitable, though, so to save your dress, be sure to visit the groomer and have vinyl nail caps applied to your pet’s nails. They are made for cats as well as dogs, and they come in several colors.