FeatureSource
B
ecky Long, author of Something Old,
Something New, talks about planning a
unique wedding:
June is known as the traditional month for
weddings. How has this changed?
Weddings are becoming more personal. Today's
bridal pair wants to avoid a cookie-cutter celebra-
tion, opting for memorable matrimony instead.
September has become just as popular for weddings
as June.
Make It
Special
It's not as hard as
you think to plan a
unique wedding.
How is it possible to have a unique wedding if
you're on a budget?
It can be easy and inexpensive to put your personal
stamp on your celebration. One simple way to leave
guests reminiscing about your wedding long after
you've tossed the bouquet is to pick a theme for your
celebration. Choosing a theme for your wedding will
provide you with a planning framework that will in
turn make all of the little details gel into one magnifi-
cent and memorable occasion.
For example, consider your honeymoon destina-
tion as a theme for your reception by serving up the
sights, sounds and tastes that are indicative of that
location. You may also choose to simply sprinkle in a
few unexpected surprises, such as offering a person-
alized drink menu to your guests.
One bride and groom served a drink called "The
Plunge" at their reception as a tribute to the groom's
underwater marriage proposal. Small plastic fish
came floating in each glass of this nonalcoholic
punch.
What are some of the new trends in personalizing
weddings?
Today's bride and groom are weaving their person-
al style into their celebration in many different ways.
Some are choosing to send wedding invitations that
Get It Right!
Six rules for the perfect
wedding reception.
FeatureSource
udith Ann Graham, author of My Bride Guide
(Barricade Books, www.MyWeddingMyWay.com ),
offers six guidelines to ensure a memorable
wedding reception:
j
• Location, Location, Location
Have your reception within a reasonable distance of
the synagogue or other venue where you will have
the ceremony. The chances are great there is a cater-
ing facility close to your wedding site. Is it an accept-
able location for your reception?
Try to keep the ceremony and reception within a
25-minute drive of each other.
• Book Immediately
Choose your reception site early. Many couples deter-
mine their wedding date based on the availability of
the reception site. Because so many couples marry
on a weekend, facilities can be booked more than a
year in advance. If you have your heart set on a spe-
cific reception site, book it immediately upon your
engagement.
Another option is to marry during the week.
Wednesday and Thursday are favored days.
• Accommodate Your Guests
If you have 125 guests, it is unwise to choose a place
the size of a football stadium. On the other hand, if
you have 250 guests, don't stuff them into a room
that has a capacity of 200.
• Understand Your Contract
Get a contract that spells out exactly what you have
agreed to with the catering facility. Make sure you
have a breakdown of each service you are contract-
ing.
For instance, if your caterer supplies linens and
floral arrangements, get those quotes itemized in the
contract. Find out the deposit required to reserve the
are uniquely their own. Whether the invitations feature
childhood pictures of the bride and groom or are craft-
ed of handmade paper, the original designs provide
guests with their first glimpse of the upcoming cele-
bration and ensure that something special is about to
happen.
Bridal duos of the new millennium are also tapping
into the wedding customs of their heritage to person-
alize their weddings.
What's a good way to give a unique twist to a
beloved tradition?
It's fun to make something old become something
new by adding a contemporary twist to beloved wedding
traditions. For example, host a bridesmaids' slumber
party several weeks before the wedding and skip the for-
mal bridesmaids' luncheon in the busy days before your
wedding.
Add pictures to your wedding program. Give it a
scrapbook feel by featuring snapshots from the past of
the bridal party members at play with the bride and
groom. Include a few words about how each friend-
ship/relationship began.
Have the ringbearer present the wedding rings tied
to the center of calla lilies.
Salute Mom and Dad by having the band or DJ play
the first dance songs from their weddings.
What's the most important thing to remember
when planning a personalized wedding?
Give yourself plenty of time to plan this once-in-a-
lifetime event. Think big as you brainstorm the possi-
bilities.
Ask yourself how you would like for your wedding
to be remembered. Don't suffocate great ideas by
assuming that they're too expensive or too difficult to
pull off. Research your options and then set a deadline,
after which prioritizing should begin.
With proper planning, you may be surprised at how
many of your dreams will come true in the end with
minimal compromise. ❑
space (usually about 50 percent).
Read the cancellation clause in the contract. Find
out about the refund policy for your deposit.
• Get All The Facts
Qualify your reception site with the local Chamber of
Commerce or the Better Business Bureau. You proba-
bly are familiar with your site, or it was personally
recommended.
In any case, review the contract thoroughly. Before
you sign it, have all your questions answered.
• Stay Within Your Budget
The average cost of a U.S. wedding is far above
$2,000. Most couples contribute 10 percent to 50
percent of the cost. The most expensive part of the
wedding is the reception. If it looks like you are going
over your budget, work with your caterer to come up
with revisions before you sign the contract.
Just as a wedding dress is probably the most
expensive dress a woman will own, your wedding
reception is probably the most expensive party you
will ever host. Weddings are special, so afford your-
self the time necessary to make your day memo-
rable.
❑
JN
CELEBRATE • 2006
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