Custom Rehearsal Dinners
With more and more families hailing from different parts of the country or the globe, very often, soon-to-be-in-laws are meeting for the first time at the rehearsal dinner. Rather than holding a formal dinner gathering, brides and grooms are finding that a casual affair creates a better atmosphere for mixing and mingling among families who are strangers. Backyard barbecues, clam bakes and luaus are festive, fun settings that encourage conversation and make it easier for parents, siblings, extended families and friends to get to know each other.
Drive Away in an Antique Car
Limousines have long been the most popular mode of transportation for wedding parties. But creative brides and grooms sometimes look for more a unusual vehicle to leave their ceremony and reception. Today’s hot “getaway cars” include antique Rolls Royce, Harley-Davidson motorcycle (or motorcycle with side car), decorated golf carts, horse-drawn carriages, Jaguars, trolley cars and Porsche Boxsters.
Salon and Spa Certificates for the Bridal Party
A luncheon with your bridesmaids is nice…but a day of beauty at a favorite spa is fantastic! Some brides are substituting spa outings with their bridal attendants for the traditional bridesmaids’ luncheon. Not only does a visit to the spa give the gals a chance to bond, but they also get to relax and enjoy spa treatments that have them looking their best for the wedding.
Cakes That Take, Well, the Cake!
Long gone are the days of wedding cakes featuring fountains or plastic bride-and-groom cake toppers. Brides and grooms are now selecting cakes that reflect their personal style and even hobbies. Designs can run gamut, as do the flavors, from chocolate to raspberry and tiramisu to amaretto. Want something different for your special day? How about a tower of cupcakes… or a whimsical topsy-turvy cake… or the more sophisticated French wedding pastry, croquet-en-bouche (cream puffs arranged in a tower and drizzled with spun sugar and chocolate).
Lots of Color, Any Time of Year
White gowns for brides and pastel dresses for her attendants are passe’. Consider: Red, a “holiday” color, traditionally shows up in weddings from November through February. Lately, it’s a popular color year-round, with a ruby or rich shades showing up most frequently. Designers, such as Nicole Miller, have noticed and are offering red dresses all through the year. Color isn’t just for the bridal attendants; some brides – typically mature or second-time brides, or destination brides who travel to get married – are expressing their personal taste through color, including colored décor on their gowns. Beyond dresses, color can be used in linens, fabric pipe and draping, lighting, flowers, food and the dance floor.
Charitable Contributions Instead of Guest Favors
Philanthropic-minded couples have found an unexpected way to extend their wedding celebration to favorite charities. Instead of purchasing favors for wedding guests, some couples are writing checks to non-profit groups. Considering an average budget of $1,000 or more for favors, gestures like these are generous turns of goodwill that couples and their guests can be proud of.
Cutting the Wedding Cake Early
A highlight of any wedding reception is the cutting of the cake, a moment that typically occurs late in the celebration. By staging the cake cutting earlier – after the first dance but before guests dine, for example, several advantages are realized: the photographer and videographer are still at work and alert; the bride and groom still look fresh and attention is focused on them; and all the guests are still on-hand to enjoy the experience. In addition, the catering staff has plenty of time to decorate or “paint” the cake plates before serving them.
Elaborate, Personalized Paper Goods and Accessories
Imprinted items are not just about function anymore. The form, or look, of paper accessories has become more complex and tie into a central theme. We’re not just talking matches and beverage napkins. In addition to printed invitations, couples are regularly using customized menu cards, save-the-date cards, place cards and table cards. Designs run gamut and can include special colors, initials, a floral motif, family crest and more.
Skip the Garter and Bouquet Toss in favor of an Anniversary Dance
Worried that your single friends will object to the tossing of the garter and bouquet? Instead, opt for an anniversary dance: While a slow song plays, all couples assemble on the dance floor and they dance, the master of ceremonies begins eliminating them by asking couples to leave if they have been married LESS than six hours, and later, LESS than one year, five years and so forth until the last couple remaining has been married longest. This couple is present with bouquet or momento and photographed with the bride and groom.
Serenades
Either the bride to groom or vice-versa, a serenade is certain to have guests grabbing for a hanky. Skeptics may worry this it seems too contrived, but time has proven this to be a sure crowd pleaser. Guests can also serenade the couple. Rather than the traditional clinking of glasses to get the bride and groom to kiss, challenge your wedding guests to sing a song with the words love, kiss or marriage in them to encourage smooching by the new couple. Be forewarned, however – if you have trouble carrying a tune, this probably isn’t the right setting for a public performance.
Eloping… With Family and Friends
Eloping today is not what it used to be. Couples who desire to marry away from home – usually in an exotic or romantic destination – are bringing along an intimate group of family and friends to help them celebrate the occasion. These “destination weddings” are increasingly popular, offering couples the chance to wed…and even spend their honeymoon… in spectacular settings that aren’t found “back home.” Family and friends can experience the occasion AND enjoy a getaway at the same time.
Set the Ambience with Dramatic Lighting
Once the purview of elaborate luxury weddings, specialized lighting can be used in almost any budget to create a dramatic and ambience for your ceremony and reception. The impact of well-situated lighting – colored lights, spotlights, back lighting and more – can do more to enhance a room’s aura that floral décor could.
Use One Large, Dramatic Feature as a Reception Focal Point
Less really can be more. At your reception, a single decorative focal point, spectacularly executed, can create a dramatic impression that you and your guests will remember forever. Elements to consider include cake presentation, water feature, sculpture, floral presentation, ice feature, artwork or column presentation.
Royal Banquet Seating and Service
Royal banquet seating – having your guests sit at one long table like in the days of King Henry and Queen Victoria – is all the rage now. The effective is dramatic, however, many venues aren’t able to pull it off due to space or service limitations. To be well executed, the room must be large and white-glove service must be impeccable, or this format won’t work!
Larger Weddings
In our post 9/11 world, people are reaching out to family and friends more than in years past. In spite of economic belt-tightening, couples are foregoing intimate gatherings and are opting for festive celebrations that include lots of loved ones.
Video You Can Be Proud Of
Home movies – the presumed amateur videos that are torture to watch – are a thing of the past. Today, there is a great video or none at all. A professional videographer should be selected with the same discernment used to assess still photographers. Find a talented vendor, who can both shoot and edit skillfully.
Photojournalistic Pictures
Rather than posing your wedding party in traditional, stages photographs, many couples are opting for journalistic, or candid images of the couples and their guests. You can choose all photojournalistic pictures or a combination of traditional and photojournalistic – be certain to find just the right photographer or team of photographers to get the photos you want.
