One of the things that most brides tell me in our initial consultation is that they want their wedding to be unique.  They want it to be a day that their family and friends will remember all the details of for years to come.  When planning your ceremony and reception it is important to remember that no matter how lovely your ceremony and reception venues are, your wedding will look no different than the wedding the previous weekend unless you personalize it.  You want to make the space “yours” for the night.   

I like to think of your wedding day in a similar way to the start-up of a new company.   You need to incorporate the things that make you…you.  And then, create an identity for your newly formed “company”.  One of the first things a start-up company does is to chose a logo that identifies them.  Chose a monogram that can be used on all your stationary, on your cake and illuminated on the dance floor.  There are several companies that will provide this service for just a few dollars.

One of those companies is I Do Originals .  They will create a monogram and then incorporate it into aisle runners, table runners, your unity candle and on many other wedding day accessories.  Now until Feb. 28th receive 10% off all items in the I Do Originals embroidery line! Enter code LOVE10. 

Make sure to work with your florist to pay special attention to what your entire ceremony area will look like in your photos. Particularly the large arrangements that you are spending tons of money on! If you have several attendants you could potentially cover up those expensive blooms. Or, like in the photo below, the bride and groom are framed by something that looks like it might reach around and grab them!

Here’s a great, inexpensive idea for a favor. These glass coasters come packaged in sets of 2 for $1.50. Slip in various pictures from your engagement photo session ( don’t use the same picture for each place setting – way too boring!) for a favor for your guests. Other ideas are to use them as place cards or simply put a thank you note in them.

Available online at David’s Bridal.

Want to make your reception venue totally yours?

Try using wedding graffiti, which specializes in producing custom monograms and logos that can be applied to walls, floors, cars, favors, and many other surfaces.

Wonderful Graffiti is very thin pieces of matte vinyl that look “printed” when applied to most smooth surfaces. Your entire wedding graffiti design arrives on one sheet of transfer paper. Just tape the transfer paper into place, burnish it down and peel it away. Only the individual letters and graphic elements remain.

Wonderful Graffiti removes quickly, and won’t harm underlying surfaces.

Prices range from $24 for a simple 12″monogramto $395 for a 50″x 47″focal point for your wall.

http://www.wonderfulgraffitiwedding.com/index.html

Banquet seating with guests at long tables instead of at round tables is becoming more popular, in part due to the increased influence of Tuscan style in all areas of life. Banquet seating creates a more festive atmosphere, one that promotes more guest interaction throughout the room.

Coupled with the change in seating comes a change in table arrangements – linear pieces or clusters of flowers, fruit and candles dotted down the length of the table replace round arrangements placed in the center of a round table.

Depending on the size of your venue and guest list, tables can either be placed parallel to each other throughout the room, or placed in a U-shape which would provide an even greater sense of community among your guests.

Fragrant, environmentally friendly dried lavender buds are a great alternative for rice. Most wedding venues no longer allow rice because it’s difficult to clean up and attracts rodents. Not only does birdseed also attract unwanted guests, it sprouts unwanted plants. As for bubbles, they create a slippery mess and stain fine fabrics. Lavender used as wedding toss vacuums up easily providing an instant air freshener.

Labyrinth Hill grows and naturally cultivates fragrant lavender in Kitsap County, WA. A half-pound (approximately 8 cups) is enough for 50 guests to toss at a cost of $15.50 plus shipping. (www.labyrinthhill.com)

Check out a new product from Blumebox…what a great way to add color and excitement to your wedding reception place settings at a minimal cost!  Talk about getting more bang for your buck – this cute little item could take the place of 3…it can serve as your table decor, place card and favor all wrapped up in one!

Only $9 for a six-pack (plus, of course, the cost of your flower.)

Go to www.blumebox.com for your nearest retail location.