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 59