5 Ways To make Your Wedding Stand Out From The Crowd
5 Ways to Make Your Wedding Stand Out From the Crowd
Even for the most wedding-obsessed of people, doesn’t it just seem like sometimes ALL weddings are the same? Of course, every bride doesn’t start planning her wedding by saying “OK, I need this wedding to be exactly like every other one I’ve been to.” But somehow, somewhere along the line, she falls into line and her wedding ends up suspiciously similar to her cousin’s, who was married last year.
If you want to avoid this pitfall, follow these tips for small ideas that will make your wedding stand out among others. Of course, occasionally, choosing a nontraditional path in your wedding planning will make the final bill rise somewhat. But if you’re stingy with your money in places where it’s not as important, you might be able to splurge a bit on some of these luxuries.
1) Think outside the round tables. Whether it’s square tables, high-top pub tables or ultra-long rectangles, setting up your reception venue with something — anything — other than the standard eight-person round tables will immediately set your wedding apart. What would be even better is having a mix of different kinds of tables, which will provide visual intrigue to the entering guests. Top them with a variety of centerpieces — some short, some table, some candle-light, some flower-centric. You want them to all match each other thematically, but it’s awfully beautiful to have a variety of looks topping the tables.
2) Have a cocktail party instead of a sit-down dinner. Who doesn’t love a late-evening gathering of family, food and cocktails? This type of reception is perfect for a city rooftop or a ritzy lounge. Instead of the regular buffet or plated dinner, set up couches, lounge chairs and high-top tables, and have waiters pass around heavy hors d’ouerves, such as Caprese skewers of a grape tomato, mozzarella cubes and springs of basil, or a gorgonzola, walnut and poached pear crostini. Serve signature cocktails (the wedding cake cocktail is a delicious concoction of gin, amaretto, orange juice, pineapple juice and a splash of cream) and have fun dancing the night away.
3) Make the menu locally inspired. Sometimes the standard “chicken or fish?” gets so boring. Create a menu with your caterer that showcases local ingredients — blue crab ravioli for mid-Atlantic brides or chipotle chicken tacos for those in the southwest. A shot glass full of New England clam chowder would be perfect for a mid-winter wedding in Massachusetts. Even if you can only afford to go local on the appetizers, it will provide for mouthwatering morsels that kicks the reception off right.
4) Steer clear of event halls and hotel ballrooms. The best way to make sure your reception is one-of-a-kind is to host it in a one-of-a-kind place. Current favorites include rustic farms and classic libraries.
5) Transport your guests in style. If you’re planning on having the wedding ceremony in a separate location than the reception, then it’s awfully courteous of you to transport them to and from the reception. (If you can’t swing this, then at least the bridal party could ride in style). Try out a super-fun trolley, which a lot of towns have already riding around downtown transporting tourists.
