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.

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.

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.

Wedding favors are small little gifts you leave for your guests at the reception as a sort of “thank you” for coming. Favors don’t have to be expensive, the thought is what really counts. It can be anything from some candy to a game, household tool or themed item to coordinate with the rest of the wedding. These are some fun wedding favors that will excite your guests and be sure to start a conversation at the reception.

“Head over heels” wine corks

These wine corks have a bride’s or groom’s feet sticking up so it looks like their head is stuck in the wine bottle and you only see their upper half. Meant to be comical these corks are also practical and would be greatly appreciated by wine lovers with a sense of humor.

Personalized poker chips

Give your guests something to play and bet against one another with such as personalized poker chips. If the couple are gamblers this is perfect as it says something about their own style and is something fun that can keep your guests amused and they can use later.

“Slice of Love” pizza cutter

A typical pizza cutter with the words “slice of love” engraved on it or a metal pizza cutter with “slice of love” craved in metal on top of the cutter blade as decoration.

Personalized hot sauce

Spice things up with some hot sauce. Make personalized labels to wrap about the bottles. You can make this hot sauce yourself or choose your favorite kind to hand out to guests.

Toy boats or planes

If you’re having a beach or beach-themed wedding giving guests toy boats or planes can be a lot of fun. Guests will have a blast playing with their toys during the down time of the ceremony. These are great for adults as well as children because heck, everyone has some “kid”
in them.

Chocolate dipped fortune cookies

Create mock fortunes and place them in fortune cookies. Then dip the cookies in chocolate and if you so choose, additional goodies such as sprinkles. These are fun delicious. Guests will love eating the cookies to break in and discover their fortune.

Miniature gumball machine dispensers

Leave a sweet treat for your guests. Buy miniature gumball machine dispensers and fill with colored gum balls or other candy that coordinates with your wedding colors. These are fun to play with, have a nice treat for your guests and are something they can take home and continue to enjoy.

The wedding menu lets guests know what they will be eating for their meal during the reception. It’s not necessary but a nice way of informing guests what to expect and preparing them for a delicious feast. Like everything else the menu should coordinate with the theme and colors of the wedding. It’s another element of style that you can use to further set the scene and make things flow together. These are some creative ideas on how to present your menu so you can add your special touch or twist to even the simplest of details.

Circular on the plate

Have the menus printed on circular cardstock or cut it out so it fits perfectly in the center of the charger plate or dinner plate. That way the menu can be set down on the plate and look like it was embedded in the place setting. You can have these professionally printed or print and cut these yourself. Be sure to measure the diameter of the plate’s interior where the menu will sit to ensure your plan will work.

Newspaper announcement

Design a mock newspaper page with the headline and article having to do with the menu. You can include creative guest quotes about how delicious the dishes are, what famous chef created them and so on. This works well for a casual or themed wedding.

Traditional menu style

Leave a traditional menu on the plate. This can be enclosed in a nice leather bound case or printed on heavy cardstock and folded or other some other variation of a traditional menu.

Chalkboard

For a casual outdoor reception a fun idea is to write the menu on a large chalkboard near the entrance (preferably where guests sign in or leave presents). This is easy to do, inexpensive and create a relaxed, local café feel to your reception.

Framed

Do double duty and place the menu in a picture frame. The frame can serve as the favor as well so you knock two birds out with one stone.

Recipe books

Make recipe books. Include the recipes for the dishes that will be served. This gives guests a clear idea of what they’ll be eating and are fun favor ideas. It’s unique, easy to put together and can be done for any kind of reception style.

Fortune teller finger game

Keep your guests entertained with a fortune teller finger game menu. Poke your fingers in this and play with the flaps to discover what you’re eating. It makes the menu into a game and will be a hit for a youthful or crazy crowd.

The best man doesn’t have too many duties when it comes to the wedding but one he does have that is very important is the toast. The best man is expect to give a speech before dinner to honor the bride and groom. Usually this is very funny and the best man tries to make everyone laugh by embarrassing the groom but every one has their way of making this moment special and depends on the relationship between the groom and his best man. No matter what the best man decides to do there are some things he should avoid as well as some things he should do to ensure everyone is happy and the speech is a success.

Introduce yourself

Not everyone may know who you are so it’s nice to introduce yourself just to break the ice as well as get everyone’s attention if they’re in the middle of a conversation or doing something else.

Start by talking about your relationship

Speak about how you know the groom whether you’re brothers, met in elementary school or were once enemies fighting over the same girl. It’s a nice way to get others interested in what you have to say and may lead into your story or overall message.

Stories are good

Short stories about your times with the groom and why he’s such a good guy are great. Be careful which stories you reveal to everyone though as you don’t want to put anyone in an awkward position that doesn’t know about certain things occurring or incidents that may give off the wrong impression.

Mention the bride

Don’t forget to talk about the bride during your speech. She’s important too and deserves to be talked about. Make sure you at least acknowledge her.

Don’t embarrass the bride

The number one rule when it comes to giving a speech, do no embarrass the bride. It’s unforgivable. You have to be kind to her. Even if you don’t like her just be civil and wish the two of them the best luck in their marriage.

Keep it PC

Keep the speech clean. There are people there who shouldn’t hear certain things. Grandma and the kids don’t want to or need to hear about drunken frat parties during spring break. Keep the focus on the future and the couple.

Don’t drink too much beforehand

Drunken best men have been known to give terrible, day ruining speeches because something slips out that shouldn’t have and they can’t ever take it back. Be careful not to drink too much beforehand so this doesn’t happen or you don’t sound like a bumbling fool. Afterwards go ahead and get drunk, but not before the speech.

Practice

Prepare something ahead of time so you’re not fishing for ideas out of thin air. Then practice ad-libbing a couple speeches so you have some idea of what it might sound like.

Music is a big part of any wedding reception. It sets the mood and gets people actively participating in your day whether watching the first dance, laughing at the garter toss or getting up and dancing themselves. There are some songs that have become very popular over the years because they’re simply perfect for the wedding reception arena, here are a few.

Grand entrance

This is when you first walk into the reception and are announced as a couple. This is usually an upbeat song and often very comical to get the party going.

Another One Bites The Dust – Queen

Everybody Have Fun Tonight – Wang Chung

Get the Party Started – Pink
How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You) – Marvin Gay

First dance

Your first dance as a married couple. It’s usually very sweet and tender, a moment everyone looks forward to.

At Last – Etta James

Have I Told You Lately – Rod Stewart

Breathe – Faith Hill

Amazed – Lonestar

From This Moment – Shania Twan & Bryan White

Can’t Help Falling In Love – Elvis Presley

Stand By Me – Ben E. King

Father daughter dance

The sweet dance between the bride and her father or the man who just gave her away. It’s bittersweet and often brings a tear to the eye.

Butterfly Kisses – Bob Carlisle

Isn’t She Lovely – Stevie Wonder

Daddy’s Little Girl – Al Martino

Because You Loved Me – Celine Dion

Mother son dance

The groom and his mom dance together to a soft, loving song showing how much he loves his mom.

Unforgettable – Natalie Cole

Wind Beneath My Wings – Bette Midler

A Song For Mama – Boyz II Men

I Wish You Love – Natalie Cole

Wedding party dance

This is when the entire wedding party gets up and dances to start the party’s dancing officially.

Shout – Isley Brothers

Friends In Low Places – Garth Brooks

Celebration – Kool & The Gang

We Are Family – Sister Sledge

Bouquet and garter toss

A really fun point in the evening, the traditional bouquet toss and garter removal are a time to be rowdy and let loose a bit!

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun – Cyndi Lauper

It’s Raining Men – Weather Girls

Man, I Feel Like A Woman – Shania Twain

Pretty Woman – Roy Orbinson

U Can’t Touch This – MC Hammer

Last dance of the evening

The very last dance of the night, sometimes it’s a slow dance other times it’s a party song. This all depends on the crowd and the couple’s preference. It’s a way of telling everyone the party is over.

What A Wonderful World – Louis Armstrong

Last Dance – Donna Summer

Let’s Get It On – Marvin Gaye

Hit The Road Jack – Ray Charles

A reception can be just a big post ceremony party or you can turn it into a themed celebration that brings in lots of different elements and makes guests feel a little more at ease as they dine and dance the night away with you. There are tons of themes you can choose based on your individual likes, hobbies, obsessions and sense of style however these are the most popular themes for wedding receptions. Maybe one of them will inspire you with your planning.

Hollywood glam
Roll out the red carpet and treat guests to a night as celebrities. Use star designs, red and gold colors, photos and your own paparazzi to bring the spirit of Hollywood out. Screen a home video or video montage, serve popcorn or hand out “best award” trophies for all those who made your wedding day possible.

Cowboy hoedown
Show your roots and turn up the country music. Have line dancing, hay barrels stacked around the area and games for kids and adult guests to play such as horseshoe toss pits. Serve a barbecue dinner and don’t forget to say “yee ha!”

Tropical getaway
Bring the exotic locations to you. Set out sand landscape centerpieces, serve beach appropriate cocktails and give each guest a lei as they enter. Think bright colors, cool blue tones and sweet drinks. Your guests will feel like they’re on vacation.

Valentine romance
All the sweetness of love comes out for you. Decorate with red and pink stars. Serve Hershey’s kisses on the tables and have a couples dance honoring those who have been married for at least one year. Share your romance with all your guests.

Disney princess
Bring Disneyland wonder and fairytales to your reception. Play fairytale music from the movies, release doves or butterflies and smile sweetly in your princess dress. Enjoy your perfect storybook ending.

Casino night
Hire some dealers and break out the casino tables. Give all your guests fake money to play with and invite them to play throughout the night. Have a prize for the person with the most fake money at the end of the celebration. Set out the Vegas décor and roll those dice!

Selecting your wedding colours is part of the process of planning a wedding. Although it seems like a small factor it is actually quite important as many other aspects of the wedding depend upon colour choices. From your table settings to your flowers and bridesmaid dresses, colour is important. However many brides don’t realize the implications of certain colour choices or what combinations do and don’t work. This will help guide you in selecting the perfect colour palette for your big day.

Think seasonal
Winter weddings tend to have a winter landscape of colours; blues, whites, silver, and so on. Or green and red because of Christmas. These are colours that are easy to find during this time of year. It’s a lot more difficult to find things in pink, orange or teal. So think about the season of your wedding. The more “in season” your colours are the easier it will be to locate items. These will also be much more inexpensive. Out of season items may require you to special order them and pay more for even the simplest of things. Try to stick to in season colors or just out of season colors that may be found on clearance to ease your preparations.

Pair your selections
After you’ve narrowed your selections down to a few hold them up to one another and see how they look with each other. Hold them up against clothing, flowers, linens and other wedding items to get a feel for how it would all appear and whether or not it works for you. Take several days to consider your options so you can let it sink in and be sure you’re making the right choice for your dream wedding.

Style and tone
Consider the style and tone of the wedding. If you’re having a black tie affair you’ll probably want to forgo the pastels and think bolder, darker tones. If the wedding is a Mardi Gras party then gold, purple, and green are your friends not peach and cream. Work with your overall concept to ensure it all makes sense.

Time of day
Very few morning weddings show off bright red and very few night weddings go for pastel greens. Think about how the colour is associated with the time of day by many people. You want it all to flow together, not stand out and seem odd.