New Ways to Wed
The creativity and ingenuity of couples and wedding professionals have helped to create new, fun, and memorable ideas that add sparkle and pizzazz to modern weddings. Surprise and delight are in store for your guests when you mix things up. Add some personal touches, incorporate meaningful elements, and possibly create a tradition all your own.
The Marriage of Ideas
I want to have a guestbook, but not a traditional one. What are couples doing for their guestbooks now? Guestbooks are traditional and full of priceless wedding memories. If you want something less traditional, try a photo guestbook, where an instant photo is snapped of the guests as they enter the reception and is immediately placed in the guest book, where the guest writes their well wishes right next to the photo. You can also ask guests to sign a beautiful coffee table-style book that represents something to you or about your wedding, such as a book filled with photos of your honeymoon destination. Another idea that has been popular for quite a while is a framed engagement photo, where guests sign their well wishes on the photo matte. The framed photo can be hung in your home.
Fact
Favors aren't necessary, but are a tradition that most couples continue to embrace. If you are giving something edible, like a piece of chocolate or cookies, plan on one favor per person. If you are giving something like a picture frame or a candle, one per couple or family is fine. It is great for the favor to have meaning to you or your fiancé, such as you favorite candies, or the destination of the wedding.
Lasting Ideas
It seems everyone is talking about signature drinks. What do they mean by this? A signature drink is an alcoholic or nonalcoholic beverage that the bride and groom helped create or drink regularly, or a drink that reflects the wedding theme. Creating a signature drink has become a new tradition that brides and grooms seem to love.
Going Green
I think the best tradition I can start is being eco-friendly. How can I go green at my wedding? Going green is a trend that will turn into a wedding staple. Here are some ideas to make your wedding green.
Ask the caterer, venue, and guests to recycle.
Use locally grown organic produce, products, and flowers.
Use potted plants (that can later be planted) for table decor.
Use paper-free invitations or use 100 percent post-consumer waste recycled paper and nontoxic inks.
Serve organic wines.
Have your favors reflect a green theme. Give guests reusable shopping bags, stainless steel water bottles, tree seedlings, seeds, or organic fruits.
For typically disposable items such as table numbers and escort/place cards, use organic items such as leaves, lemons, and rocks, use reusable products such as photo frames, choose accessories that are made from recycled paper.
