The issue of children and weddings is a difficult one and comes up quite often. Some couples don’t want any children present at their wedding, others want to invite children but only family members and others say the more kids the merrier. No matter what you decide there are lots of ways to include children (yours or others) in the wedding day as well as keep them entertained.

Flower girl and ring bearer

There is of course the traditional flower girl and ring bearer roles that children can take on. Most of the time these roles are filled by children aged three to seven however exceptions can be made and you can have younger or older as you see fit.

Kids corner

Set up a corner table at the reception where kids can go and play. This isn’t where they will eat just where they can mingle while some of the activities such as the first dance and so forth go on. Have coloring books, toys, puzzles and more available to keep the kids amused.

Program distribution

Ask some kids to be the ones to pass out the programs for the wedding. It’s a simple task and will make the kids feel important as they have something to do that they are responsible for.

Sign-in book

Ask a child in your life to attend to the guest book and ask people to sign-in. They’ll get to see everyone who comes and will be talked by lots of folks making them feel extra special just like you.

Photography

Give some of the kids disposable cameras and ask them to take pictures throughout the day. You may end up with a lot of pointless photos but then again you could be surprised. Sometimes kids are very in tune with things and will take the task seriously giving you some shockingly nice moments on film.

Bubbles

Have the kids blow bubbles as you and your spouse walk back down the aisle or when you enter for the reception. The kids can also be in charge of handing out bottles of bubbles to other guests.

Weddings and flowers have long been known to be hand in hand. One of the largest parts of most budget breakdowns is indeed the flowers for the ceremony and reception. However you don’t have to use flowers and nowadays lots of brides are choosing to opt out of the typical flowery ceremony and reception. Not only does it save money but it’s one less thing to worry about and it’s also very “green” or eco-friendly as cut flowers are grown specifically for being cut flowers and that’s it. There are lots of alternatives to flowers that you can use and your wedding will still be beautiful and perfect.

Vines as a bouquet

Use vines to make a handheld bouquet for walking down the aisle. Vines are beautiful as a cascading bouquet because they show off the liveliness of the plant and naturally fall in a cascading manner making them the perfect choice for the effect. The green of the vines also looks stunning against the white dress of the bride and photographs well. There are some blooming vines you can use as well if you want a little extra color and some added flair besides the typical vine look.

Ivy for the arch

Use live ivy to cover the arch for the ceremony. You can have it grow over the arch prior to the wedding or take an existing ivy plant and hang or droop it over the entire arch. This looks great for outdoor weddings that are naturalistic as it blends in with the scenery and enhances the splendor and serene calmness of an outdoor ceremony.

Topiaries

Topiaries make great decorative items. Set in pots, small planters, even used as table decorations these magnificent plants can serve a multitude of purposes and when all is said and done you can even send them home with guests if you don’t want them all.

Landscape centrepieces

Use plants and herbs or vegetables to create a garden landscape centerpiece. You can create whatever kind of landscape piece you like so it’s fun to be a bit creative and play with your options. These can be full landscape gardens that guests can take home or ones you take home and plant in your backyard to start your own garden.

Weddings are largely run on rules of etiquette and tradition. One of the oldest and most widely followed traditions is the sending of thank you cards. If someone gives you a gift it is expected that you will acknowledge them with a thank you card expressing your sincere gratitude for their kindness. Whether you actually like the present or not doesn’t really matter, you still have to send the card because it’s a matter of etiquette and of being polite. These are some other things you should realize about the thank you card process so you don’t end up offending anyone by mistake.

Timing is key

Thank you cards should be sent out as soon as possible. Traditional etiquette says you have up to one year to send them out but most people expect a thank you card within two months of the wedding. If you wait longer some people may think you’re ungrateful. Yes, they can be a pain to write at times but it must be done and the sooner the better. Guests will appreciate your prompt response and know that you really do feel grateful for the gifts.

Use nice note cards

Don’t go cheap on your thank you cards. Use actual thank you cards for starters. Some people try to get away with one sheet notes, blank cardstock or even lined paper. Make sure you use actual thank you cards to show your guests you care about what they think and want to show them some sort of class in your gift receipt etiquette.

State the specific gift

In your note make sure you state exactly what the gift was that you received versus just saying “thank you for the present.” This is where proper management of your gift opening list comes into play.

Acknowledge their presence or absence

If they attended your wedding acknowledge that and state that it was nice to see them and you hope they enjoyed themselves. If they didn’t attend the wedding then tell them you missed the fact they weren’t there but appreciate the gift.

How to accept money

If you are given money or a gift card then tell the person how you intend to use it. Whether it’s saving up for a large item or purchasing some linens, if you have an idea of how it will be used then let them know, it’s nice to know where their money is going.

Include a special item

Put some photos from the wedding in the thank you card. If you have photos with them in it then include these. Or if they couldn’t make it to the wedding insert the program or other special materials so they still feel included.

Your wedding is a momentous occasion and one that you will likely want lots of photos of to look back on and remember. There are tons of wedding photographers with different styles, ideas, and packages they offer. All of these choices can be very confusing especially when they then throw in the “extra options” and you look at the prices wondering what you can afford and what’s most important to you. Besides just basic photos there are lots of options and not all of them require a photographer. Here are some options for what you can do with photos for your wedding both to remember the day as well as add to your special day.

Photo booth

Rent a photo booth and have it at your reception for you and your guests to use. You’ll be able to take silly photos and it’s also a form of entertainment for your guests. They’ll love having a souvenir to take home. In fact you can have a strip of photos from the photo booth be their favor. You can also have it set up so guests enter the booth when they arrive, take a photo strip and place it in the guest book when they sign in so you have a photo of them from the day along with their signature and message.

Photo montage

Get photos of you and your spouse to be through the years and put together a photo montage to show at the wedding. You can start with pictures of each of you growing up and then you as a couple. Set it to music and project it on a big screen at the reception. If you have extra special footage of say the proposal or another moment you can insert this as well.

Disposable cameras

Set disposable cameras out on all the tables with a note asking guests to take pictures of the entire day. You can do this instead of a professional photographer to save some money but know that you’ll likely end up with a lot of silly, unusable photos as well. However you can also catch some fun moments a photographer might miss.

Polaroid guest book

Have someone take a Polaroid of each person as they arrive. Then tape the Polaroid in the guest book and have them sign beside it and write their message. This makes for a unique and fun guest book that is just a little out of the ordinary and helps you remember all the details of the day.

Online wedding photobook

Give everyone a card at the wedding with a website where you’ll be posting your wedding photos. Invite others to share any photos they take on the site as well. This way you can collect all the photos from the day because you never know what great photo someone else might have taken that you just have to get a print made of to put on your wall. It’s also fun for the guests because they get to relive your day as well and see all the various elements they might have missed such as your posed wedding party and couple’s photos.

Lots of people are very concerned about the environment now and have changed their lifestyles to fit a new thought process which seeks to preserve resources and promote sustainability. This “green” living has spread even into the wedding industry and couples are looking for ways to make their special day more eco-friendly. Celebrities like Alicia Silverstone have taken to the movement and proudly promote that their special day was eco-friendly. If you want to make some changes to your day to show off your style but in an environmentally friendly way here are some ideas.

Organic cotton linens

Make sure all the linens you use for the day are organic. This means the tablecloths, napkins, and any other linens you might use for decoration.

Recycled paper invitations and e-vites

Show that you love the trees and purchase recycled paper invitations. This way you know they are being reused through the recycling process. Or better yet don’t use any paper at all. Instead send out e-vites or email invitations. Sure these are less formal but you’ll help save some trees as well as money spent on the invitations themselves and postage.

Dinner from local farmers and growers

Serve a meal made of food grown and raised entirely by local farmers and ranchers. You’ll be supporting your local economy and serving delicious fresh food which your guests will really appreciate.

Light with soy candles

Soy candles are longer lasting and cleaner in the burning process than regular candles. Plus candlelight is eco-friendly because it doesn’t require any energy to light a space. Using soy candles to light the tables is green as well as romantic and very appropriate for weddings.

Plants as centerpieces

Use potted planted or vegetables and herbs as centerpieces. Send these home with guests or take them home and plant in your own garden to start you own supply. These can be reused and

Favors

Skip the favors and donate to charity instead. Let your guests know that you did this so they aren’t expecting a favor as many folks do. Use recycled paper to inform them of this and have the DJ make an announcement so everyone is aware of what is going on and what charity the couple decided to donate to.

Fashion goes through numerous trends. Some are seasonal or yearly and determined mostly by the runway shows of high end designers in New York City and Europe. Other trends cover the span of a decade or era such as bell bottom pants for the hippie era and flapper dresses during the roaring twenties. Wedding attire has caught on to this and has yearly trends as well which tend to somewhat reflect the styles and cuts of the designer runways looks. However that’s not all that follows the trends, jewellery too goes through trends only they are publicized and promoted less and the time span of the trend changes less frequently. Wedding rings are the most common form of wedding related jewelry and a very important symbol of a marriage. Wedding rings have undergone some changes lately and brought out a whole new style trend for the new millennium.

Titanium

It’s extremely durable and looks stunning making more men turn to titanium rings. This metal can cut through diamonds and doesn’t scratch which is very appealing to anyone who uses their hands a lot and worries that their ring may eventually become so badly worn it looks cheap or is destroyed. Plus it’s not all that expensive, in fact it’s priced less than many gold or silver variations so you don’t have to spend a fortune to get great quality. There are less designs and fancy settings but this one is strong and if you’re going for quality or durability over flash this might be a good choice for you.

Women’s single band

Traditionally, a woman has an engagement ring and a wedding band. However lots more brides nowadays are opting to lose one and go with the single band look just like men. Usually the single ring is very unique, the type that would be difficult to match with a second band however it can really be anything. This is a great way to save some money if you’re feeling a crunch on your wallet. Just think, you can always get another ring later down the road for an anniversary if you really want one.

Coloured stones

Instead of classic white diamonds lots of couple are choosing birthstones and unique colored diamonds to grace their fingers as a way of expressing their personal style. There are all sorts of gemstones that can be used instead of diamonds. It’s a matter of personal preference and since you’ll be wearing the ring for a long time it should be something you really like.

Custom designs

Lots of couple are designing their own rings, some by themselves and others as a couple. These custom rings are truly one of a kind and will make your friends jealous that your significant other was so thoughtful.

One of the latest trends in recent years is the at home wedding. These were once quite popular and very much the norm as they are cost effective, personal and very easy to host. The comeback of the at home wedding is probably in response to a weakening economy and turn against commercialism as weddings have become such a huge industry built up on “things” that many people are very against the whole concept of a “wedding” but still want to get “married.” There is absolutely nothing wrong with either concept, it’s a matter of personal preference as well as budget. Here are some things to consider when planning an at home wedding.

Size

The size of your home or the home and property of a relative will largely determine the size of your guest list. If the house doesn’t have a fairly sizable backyard it’s unlikely you’ll be able to accommodate one hundred people however if you have a good acre of land or more you may be able to do so. Be realistic with the space you have and plan accordingly. You might consider having the ceremony inside as well if you don’t plan on inviting too many guests.

Style

If the wedding is held at your home then you already have some style set in place, your style as a couple (if you live together before marriage). Decide on how you can decorate the space to accommodate your style and keep the house in tact. Since it’s your home or that of someone close to you it’s especially important everything remains well kept as it’s unacceptable for furniture to be ruined or things stapled in the walls which you might be able to get away with at another venue. Figure out how you can decorate ahead of time without harming the existing space and in such a way that clean up is minimal.

Food

Are you going to cook all the food (or family members) or have the event catered? There are advantages and disadvantages to each so you have to decide what works for you. If you and your family cook the food you can likely save a good deal of money as you’ll be able to control what you spend based on what’s served and where it’s purchased. However you’ll also have the burden of getting all that food made as well as everything else done and prepared for your big day. It can be a lot of stress if you’re ill prepared or your planning falls through. Catering can ease the stress of having to deal with food however it is more expensive. But if there’s a special restaurant you love this can also be very personal and just the thing you need to make the party that much better.

Set Up and Clean Up

The advantage is you can take as long as you would like to set everything up if it’s at your home. That means you can begin hanging decorations and arranging tables long before the actual day if you so choose. You can also take your time cleaning up but remember, you do have to clean up and it will be you (and your helpers) doing the work not some hired employees at a venue.

There are lots of great things about having an at home wedding that make it well worth the time and energy to plan. Whatever you decide you should just make sure it makes you happy and will be what you want to look back on and smile about years from now.

Part of any wedding are the people who stand beside the bride and groom during the ceremony, the bridesmaids and groomsmen. These wedding party members are the couple’s closest friends and relatives. The wedding party plays a big part in the process as they help the couple prepare for their big day from assisting in making selections to planning parties and calming nerves. For all the time and support they give the bride and groom it’s traditional to give them each a gift as a way of saying “thank you.” These presents are handed out during the rehearsal dinner. While they can be anything in the world the following are some fun ideas most anyone will enjoy.

Engraved flasks

The guys will love having a handy little flask they can discretely hide for those occasions when one just needs a drink to calm the nerves, spice up a drink or just start the party. You can have their names engraved or just initials, that is entirely up to you. There are tons of different styles and sizes of flasks nowadays as well so you can shop around to find the one that perfect for each guy whether he’s the city slicker type, cowboy or good old boy next door.

Embroidered bags

Make the girls smile with a cute embroidered bag. Larger duffle size or gym bag totes are great because they can use it for whatever they want whether it be for books, the beach, a vacation carry all or just a large purse even. Choose each girl’s favorite color or a fun pattern that they will just have to have. Then have their name embroidered on the side of the bag or use iron-on lettering to do it yourself. Fill the bag with some goodies if you want either related to the big day (such as their jewelry, shoes, disposable camera) or otherwise (favorite candy, playful socks or a special handmade card).

Spa gift certificates

Everyone can use a day away from the world and a day at the spa is just that. If it’s in your budget get your wedding party spa gift certificates. This is the perfect form of relaxation after months of grueling schedules, planning and helping you with all your details.

Bar sets

Most guys love a good bar set. Get your fellows some engraved beer mugs, a cool corkscrew, mixed drink guide, stirrers, margarita shaker or other fun bar related gift. This is perfect for any guy who knows how to party!

Movie packages

Entertainment is always a safe bet so put together a movie gift basket. Include some movie passes, candy and bags of microwaveable popcorn. Or skip the movie tickets and include some of their favorite DVDs so they can enjoy a movie night at home.

If you want your reception to stand out and have something people will be talking about for years to come then you need something truly unique. A signature drink is just the ticket. While you’re likely serving more than one type of beverage adding a signature drink that is special makes your day memorable, especially if it’s a cocktail that most people will enjoy.

To create a signature drink sit down and consult with a mixologist. The mixologist will ask you both about your favorite tastes, colors, and flavor. He will also take into account your hobbies, personality traits and even names. From this he will put together your combined characteristics and make a drink that speaks for you both and creates a complete couples’ style. This signature drink should have a fun name which lets guests know it is not like any other and is all about you. If you don’t want to hire a professional you of course aren’t required to at all. You can instead make your own drink. There may be a cocktail that you each enjoy which you can put your own twist on and make it original. Or you can even use an old favorite and simply name it something different so it relates to the two of you as a couple. To make it fit even more perfectly choose a concoction that coordinates with your wedding colors or ask the bartender to add food coloring so it is the correct color and shade. Remember every little detail matters in creating the overall look.

Serve the drink in a glass unlike the others being used at the reception so it is even more distinctive. If you have a bar set up place a sign up that describes the drink and explains it’s relationship to the two of you. As part of the favor you leave you can have an index size card printed with the recipe for your special concoction along with a fun glass or bar accessory. This can also be displayed on the bar or around other tables so guests will know what they’re drinking and be able to recreate it later if they happen to really enjoy it.

Creating your own signature cocktail for your reception shows off a new level of excitement, energy and style. Suddenly you’ll be the “it” couple that everyone wants to mimic and be like. Get the party started with your signature drink and enjoy your memorable day.

Nowadays everyone is looking for a sponsor to fund their trips, adventures, events, products and education. So why not a wedding? Weddings are typically quite expensive so it make sense that a couple would need and want help paying for the day of their dreams. Thus sponsored weddings have begun to become more common. Some people sell advertising space in their programs, hang banners with a corporate or company logo on it or have specific products available which their sponsors supply such as the food, decorations or even serving ware.

So what does the sponsor get out of it? The sponsor gets free advertising which is always appealing. This is perfect for weddings that will get some press, have photos displayed in magazines or will be talked about online. Some couples even win competitions or contests to have their weddings planned for them or to receive help from vendors for their services. These are the types of couples companies love to sponsor as they know their product or service will be seen and recognized which has the potential to lead to increased sales and product recognition in the market.

With weddings being decided on myspace and face book and thus getting national coverage it only makes sense to sponsor some weddings for small and large companies. If the wedding happens to be a well known couple in a smaller town then little businesses and boutiques can gain a lot of exposure from sponsoring a wedding and donating their services or products. Other people are selling spots in their wedding on ebay or other online auction sites. This is great for those who have always wanted to be a part of someone’s wedding day but never got a chance. This is also good for companies who can get a representative into the wedding and promote their products.

Sponsored weddings may seem unusual to some folks but really it’s just a smart investment for companies and a great way to save some cash for couples who don’t mind making a few adjustments and alterations for their big day.