How
to Create a Customized Wedding
(MS)
— More so than ever, soon-to-be-wed couples are establishing
their own traditions by looking for ways to impart a custom
feel into their weddings — without breaking the bank.
Weddings have a tendency to be contagious, and chances are,
youve already been invited to a number of weddings this
year. After a while the same traditions can become tedious
and routine. If you are planning your own wedding, you may
be competing with others you know for unique ideas.
Did you know that according to the latest findings, 2.4
million weddings occur annually? Thats a lot of bouquet
tossing and wedding band renditions of The Wind Beneath
my Wings to sit through. Its no wonder most brides want
their ceremony and reception to be different. Maybe youre
inspired by the lavish celebrity affairs, many of whom fly
entourages to exotic locales like Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes
did last year in Italy, or clean out florists supplies of
an entire species of flower all in the effort to be different.
Celebrities have the bankrolls to do so. But you, too, can
have a custom affair with an average wedding budget. So
apart from choosing personal wedding songs and outlandish
bridesmaids gowns, what can you do to be unique? Plenty
With a creative imagination and some internet resources,
you can host a custom wedding; says Ava Jordon, an Illinois
wedding planner. rom personalized stationery to memorable
keepsakes, there are a number of ways to put your special
touch on the affair.
1.
On Location: Change the setting of the wedding. Think beyond
the local reception hall. Investigate a park, theater, museum
or even a building rooftop. You may be able to get these
venues for a steal. Also, destination weddings are growing
in popularity. According to the American Wedding Study conducted
by the Conde Nast Bridal Group in 2006, about 16 percent
of all couples have a destination wedding, a 400 percent
increase in the past 10 years. Your destination can be a
Caribbean island, the San Francisco Bay or a European castle.
2.
Break the rules: Okay, so there really arent hard-set rules
in weddings, except for those that your house of worship
may require. Still, people become accustomed to certain
traditions. Go against the norm. If the groom wants a female
best man that his prerogative. If the bride wants to ditch
the white gown and wear a drop-dead-gorgeous red dress,
she certainly has the right. The first dance at the reception
doesnt have to be a sappy love song. Choose an up-tempo
number or your favorite rock hit. Its a celebration after
all. Some guests jaws may drop initially, but soon theyll
understand youre just expressing creative license.
3.
Personalize stationery: Couples can show their personalities
through the stationery they choose — from quirky save-the-date
fridge magnets to thank you notes that all form a cohesive
theme. A well-designed invitation set not only establishes
the mood of the event, it also informs guests of what to
do and when. But traditionally stationery doesnt offer many
opportunities for personalization, especially if youre planning
a wedding that has unique communication needs, such as a
destination wedding. Checkerboard Ltd. has a line of wedding
stationery called Blue Moon that opens up the possibilities
for customization. It provides all the elements couples
need to communicate with their guests when they are planning
destination weddings or have special requirements where
stationery needs to be more than just a response card and
ceremony announcement. For example, Blue Moon sets include
save-the-date cards, invitations to special activities,
schedule of events, stickers for local maps and guidebooks,
tags for gift bags, maps, directions cards, welcome letters,
programs, and custom folders to keep all these documents
together. Styles include tropical, al fresco and island
botanical themes, beautiful alpine imagery, and seasonal
designs. Most invitations can be customized for almost any
destination, whether its overseas or the next town over.
Learn more at www.checkernet.com.
4.
Take the cake: Instead of a tiered wedding cake go for a
custom creation. If youve ever tuned into the Food Network
you know that cakes can be designed in all shapes and sizes.
Or maybe you prefer something even more unique? Whether
a series of individual cupcakes, gourmet brownies or your
favorite pie, allow your preferences to set the scene instead
of feeling the need to conform.
5.
Free DIY favors: Guests look forward to taking home a memento
from the wedding. But usually it just something that ends
up collecting dust on a shelf. Who likes those Jordon almonds
anyway? For intimate weddings, such as destination wedding
affairs where the guest list may be considerably smaller,
you can personalize favors for each couple that attends
the event. Offer a sweet sentiment and words of thanks for
their attendance. Blue Moon has a series of matching wedding
favors that you can print out for free on a home computer
and assemble yourself at www.checkernet.com/favors. From
playing card packages, to CD holders, to flower favor boxes,
you can calm stress with some wedding-themed origami and
present something truly unique that wont be a budget-breaker.
Think
unique and whimsical for your wedding and definitely stand
out from the crowd. Its your special day so make the most
of it and enjoy and remember the day forever. For more ideas
on custom stationery and wedding themes, visit www.checkernet.com
