Austin WeddingDay Articles of Interest

Make Your Dream Personal

Throw out the cookie-cutter wedding and be truly unique – there are endless ways to personalize your day. If you’re not afraid to express yourself and make your wedding personal to who you are, you’ll create a unique event that your guests will remember for years to come.

Begin your journey to an original wedding by shaking up the wedding date and maybe the event time. Who says you have to have your wedding on a Saturday – what about a Friday or Sunday event? Guests will be intrigued by the unusual day of the week. It’s also a cost-saver to hold your wedding on a non-Saturday; many vendors and venues are more willing to negotiate price for weddings held on off days. While a traditional reception includes a cocktail hour, dinner, cake cutting and dancing, consider changing the time line to a sunrise or sunset ceremony followed by a decadent breakfast or intimate late-night meal. Anything out of the ordinary will be most memorable.

Wedding theme

Pick a theme that is meaningful to you and your partner, and don’t be afraid to go all out. If fall is your favorite season, then take fall as your theme and start looking for fall colors such as browns, oranges and yellows. There are endless fall decorations: pumpkins, squash, leaves, berries and green apples. If you both love to travel, choose a world cities theme. On each table, leave food typical of a particular city as a special gift for each guest. If you both love old movies, then go Old Hollywood glam. Find old movie posters and photographs, frame them, and hang or place them on the tables and around the room on the walls. Lighting is very effective for emphasizing this theme. Training spotlights on the framed pictures and hanging old neon signs around the venue are very impressive. Your guests will be talking about this wedding for years to come.

From the invitation design to your signature drink and the songs that keep the night moving, don’t stray from your theme.

Invitations

Put your own spin on your invitations. You might try creating your own design, or use an invitation you already love and embellish it with photos of you and your fiancé. Adding more attention to your location with an enclosed special map helps your guests out and shows that you have an eye for details. In addition to the wedding venue, point out other special spots on the map, like where you had your first date or favorite places you’ve often gone. Guests will feel they’re getting the inside scoop. Look also for a personalized stamp to show how important little details are to you and your fiancé. You can order neat images or favorite photo stamps online.

Location

For your venue, look for an unusual place to say “I do.” Let the sky be your limit. Exchange your vows in a church or a temple or a personal home. Look for special places for both the ceremony and reception. Even a favorite restaurant, beach, park, museum or garden that you’ve found inspiring puts a personal spin on the entire event. Or if you’re sentimental at heart, consider marrying in the same church or temple where your parents or your partner’s parents wed. Let your guests know about this special significance in your program.

Bridal style

If you really want to break from tradition, consider these changes when you buy your wedding gown.

Break away from traditional bridal white for something truly unique. If you look and feel your hottest in a sexy shade of red, then go for it. If you love color but not for an entire ensemble, then add a splash of color to your gown with a striking bow or sash.

If you have fallen in love with a salon dress but want to add your personal touches, then ask the sales consultant about making minor changes.

Remove the sleeves to convert the dress to strapless, or have beading or buttons added. Even lengthening or shortening the train can make this a truly one-of-a-kind style.

Music

Show off your individuality by selecting songs that you and your partner feel express your style.

If you really want to put your stamp on this ceremony, then the traditional ceremony recessional is a thing of the past. Consider shaking up the ceremony with an unexpected recessional. Pick a song that spices things up, and dance to the altar. Make sure someone is capturing this on video, because your guests will be in awe and talking about the moment for years to come.

Lighting

Using various colors of light to project your initials or monogram is very hot right now. A single letter representing your last name as a married couple has become increasingly popular, and designs range from the sleek to the showy. You can project your chosen design on the wall or dance floor – the possibilities of ways you can incorporate this intimate detail are endless.

Remember that this is your day. Don’t be afraid to express yourself. Make it all yours in every way, and don’t worry about what anyone thinks or what other couples are doing. Let everyone know who you and your spouse-to-be truly are. Put your stamp on your nuptials.