So many weddings nowadays are starting to look the same. Sure a lot of things change wedding to wedding, but there's a lot of things that have established a "status quo." Lately, however a few trends have caught my eye that made me go "Huh, I haven't seen that before." And maybe we don't all want all of these ideas in our dream wedding, but at least they break the mold and make us think outside the box. Your wedding is about you and your betrothed, so do what YOU want to do, and what fits you as a couple, not what everyone else is doing, or my favorite -- what you're "supposed" to do.
1. Forget the paper plate seating chart!
Now I don't know anyone who doesn't relish introducing their favorite people to their other favorite people -- and, as much as we all love being relationship matchmakers, I truly enjoy being a friendship matchmaker. On a day that's filled with as much love as a wedding day, why not encourage everyone to pick their own seats, sit together and meet someone new. And, hey, if you've got groups of people who maybe love each other a bit less than others (if you know what I mean) you can let them handle their own drama and pick the seat that suits them best -- perhaps one in the bar in the lobby? -- and worry about more important things in the weeks leading up to your wedding than dealing with color-coded sticky tabs on paper plates spread all over your living room floor.
2. Baby Bridesmaids?
Okay, so maybe this one isn't for everyone. It's probably not for me, seeing as I have 7 best friends who I absolutely want standing beside me on my wedding day, but I think it is probably one of the sweetest things I have ever seen! I feel like so often I hear conversations or read blogs about how to politely communicate that children are not invited to the wedding... and it hurts my heart. I love children, I love the innocent joy they bring to situations (And I love living in the dreamworld where they never throw tantrums and are always clean and looking cute.) So maybe you don't want an all-children wedding party, but what about a gaggle of precious little girls walking down the aisle ahead of you scattering rose petals? I can't imagine anything cuter.
3. Who says Mama can't walk you down the aisle?
My grandfather is without a doubt the most important man in my life, and I have spent most of my 23 years thinking that one day he would walk me down the aisle to give me away to the man of my dreams -- and in all honesty, I hope he does. But, part of me really knows that the person who holds the authority to "give me away" is my mom. Maybe it's different for you, maybe it's your brother, your uncle, your sister, or just a wonderful friend. Whoever it is, the person who walks you down the aisle has a pretty important role: they get to hold your hand as you take the first steps to your new life!
4. Have your cake and eat other stuff, too.
So I've never been the biggest fan of cake. But give me warm chocolate chip cookies, and I will go to town. For some, it's pie; for others, it's cheesecake. Personally, I could do work at an ice cream sundae bar. Dessert time at your wedding should be a time where you have what you like, not just what's expected. For many, this means having a wedding cake accompanied by other options. My personal favorite is the family recipe bar as shown below. Gather some of your family members together (or gather friends and borrow the family recipe book) and bake your Granny's cherrie pie your new Mother-in-Law's famous peanut butter cookies! That way you have all your favorite things at your wedding and not just an expensive cake you'll eat again on your first anniversary.
5. Dance parties work up an appetite.
I don't know about you, but if I stay up past about 10 p.m., I need a bit to eat! And, if you expect me to dance into the wee hours of the morning, I'm mon need a bit of dancing fuel. Think of it as the "Fourth-meal" of your wedding, or the food that helps soak up some of the champagne.
What are some of the things you've seen at weddings that were out-of-the-box ideas? What did you do at your wedding, or what are you planning to do? What's something you see done at every wedding that you know you won't do? (For me it's the garter toss!)
