Wedding Advice – Here Comes the Blog

For most of us, it is hard to hear that the average wedding costs over $25,000.  It is a fortune, to be sure.  But for some celebrities, $25,000 is a drop in the bucket. It may cover the cake!  What would you do with a multi-million dollar wedding budget?  Let’s take a look at the ideas the rich and famous have come up to spend that money with a look at the most expensive celebrity weddings.

Imagine an intimate wedding, with 1,900 of your dearest friends and family members, an $80,000 cake, and a $400,000 dress.  Kate Middleton and Prince William’s brandy-soaked fruitcake could fund three or four weddings alone!  No expense was spared, as you can tell by the $800,000 floral displays, the $600,000 luncheon, the lavish wedding decorations, and the upscale $550/night hotel accommodations for guests.  The wedding cost about $34 million – but the British public picked up most of the $33 million security price tag.

Prince William’s parents also threw a wedding to remember. Prince Charles and Lady Diana outdid their son with 27 wedding cakes and a four-foot “main” cake (with backups), a massive 25-foot train of taffeta and antique lace, and 3,500 guests.  The newlyweds capped off their wedding with a Mediterranean cruise aboard Her Majesty’s yacht.  Diana did cut the budget by choosing a relatively “cheap” engagement ring that cost only $65,000.  She passed the savings on to Kate, who wore the ring also.  At the time, the wedding cost $48 million; adjusted for inflation, that is a whopping $110 million.

You don’t have to be royalty to have a lavish wedding; you just have to be the daughter of a steel magnate. Vanisha Mittal married Amit Bhatia in 2004.  On their expense checklist was 12 Boeing jets for the guests, 45 chefs, 10,000 flowers, 1,000 wedding invitations in silver boxes that included a plane ticket and accommodations in a 5-star Paris hotel, a massive wedding cake, and luxurious gifts for all of the female guests.  The wedding and events lasted five days and cost $66 million.  That’s only $13.2 million per day; a bargain!

British soccer player Wayne Rooney’s wedding to Colleen McLoughlin was relatively frugal at $8 million.  The happy couple paid for 65 guests to fly to Genoa for a ball aboard a $120 million yacht.

While Rooney said he would gladly run away to Vegas for a “quickie” wedding, he did agree with his bride to up the budget for things like an entire wedding wardrobe for his mother, three wedding dresses, and crystal-encrusted Christian Louboutin shoes.  It is likely that if Colleen had it all over to do again, she wouldn’t change a thing – except the groom.

Chelsea Clinton, daughter of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and former U.S President Bill Clinton, married Marc Mezvinsky, an investment banker, in 2011.

The $5 million budget covered Chelsea’s gorgeous Vera Wang gown, $750,000 for the caterers, $11,000 for the cake, $250,000 for bridal jewelry, $600,000 for air-conditioned tents, and a half million for flowers, among other expenses.

A diva has to have the perfect wedding; Michael Jackson as a best man, Elizabeth Taylor as the maid of honor, a 60-piece orchestra featuring Natalie Cole, Tony Bennett, and Stevie Wonder, a $40,000 cake, $700,000 in flowers, lavish gifts for 1,000 guests.  When Liza Minnelli married David Gest in 1994, it was reported that even jaded celebrities were in awe of the spectacle.  It cost $3.2 million, which, adjusted for inflation, is $4.2 million today. Planning for this affair certainly took a lot longer than the one year the couple stayed married.

Could our list be complete with mentioning Kim Kardashian?  The reality star’s wedding cost a reported $10 million, but with business savvy, the Kardashians managed to get many expenses crossed off the list free of charge, including a $6,000 cake, $10,000 in invitations, a big discount on Kim’s $2 million engagement ring, and three Vera Wang gowns priced at $20,000 each. It is estimated that Kim and her husband of 72 days made $18 million from the wedding.

For the rest of us, there are sales and knock-offs of designer gowns – and we can still make magic with comparatively little - right?

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Every bride-to-be has a million things to consider when planning her dream wedding. There's the cake, the photographer, the dress, venue, flowers, bridesmaid dresses, hair and makeup... the list goes on and on. If you're busy planning a wedding, then you've most likely considered these important items, but have you given any thought to what gifts you and your fiance are going to buy for your wedding party?

It's standard practice for a bride and groom to present their bridesmaids and groomsmen with small wedding gifts to show their appreciation for their appearance in and support with the wedding. Everything from corkscrews to jewelry to personalized flasks to keepsakes, there are so many different gift ideas to consider. Here are some ideas to think about:

• Personalized Favors. Giving a gift that has a personal touch will show the members of your wedding party that you've put a lot of thought into finding the perfect gifts just for them. Let's say a member of the bridal party loves fine chocolates. You could get her a box of delectable chocolate. Or maybe you have some particularly handy groomsmen that you get personalized multi-purpose tools with their names engraved on them. Whatever you decide, giving a gift with a personal touch is a very nice gesture that your wedding party will undoubtedly appreciate.
• Themed Gifts. Themed gifts are a great idea for couples that are having a themed wedding. Beach, cultural, fairytale, vintage, or seasonally themed weddings are all very popular, and treating your wedding party to memorable gifts that go along with the theme can be a lot of fun. If you're doing a vintage theme, for instance, you could get monogram cufflinks for the guys and some fun 1940s style earrings for the ladies. With a little thought and effort, it's easy to tie your wedding party gifts in with your theme.
• Useful Items. Getting practical gifts is always a nice idea, too. Who doesn't want something they can use again and again? The multi-purpose tools mentioned above is a very useful item, but there are lots of other ides out there too. What about personalized makeup bags, business card cases, desk accessories, money clips, or valet trays. There are tons of items out there that are both classy and practical and would make great wedding party gifts.
• Unique Gifts. There's no reason to limit yourself to the standard wedding party gift ideas. If you want something a little different, then just give some thought to what your wedding party might like. What about a donation to a charity that you know one of them supports? Or maybe you have an artistic flair and could make gifts for them. Giving unique gifts can be a lot of fun - let your imagination go and see where it takes you!

There's so much to think about when planning a wedding, but don't let the wedding party gifts slip your mind. Your bridal party and groomsmen are probably under a little stress themselves helping you prepare for the big day, so show your appreciation with gifts that show you recognize their efforts.

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Marriage is a time for two people to come together to recognize the union of two hearts.  What better way to recognize the family and their heritage than to celebrate in a way that reflects it?  Many have come to enjoy these sorts of theme celebrations and among the most practiced is the Celtic theme.  The term Celtic actually refers to seven nations - Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Cornwall, Isle of Man, Spain, and Brittany.  However, most frequently Americans associate the Celtic symbols with the Scottish and Irish heritages.

Aside from the general use of Celtic colors (green, yellow, and white), there are many ways to incorporate this theme into the celebration.  This might include the passing of a family heirloom to this new generation, the use of Celtic symbols in decorations, or it may even mean practicing some of the common Celtic wedding traditions.

Colors.

The typical colors of anything themed in a Celtic manner are green, yellow, and white.  Therefore, to have a Celtic-themed wedding, you would do best to incorporate those colors into the decor, clothing, and decorations.  The maid of honor could wear a butter yellow dress with a green sash, while the rest of the bridesmaids could be resplendent in green dresses of the same or a complimentary style.  The groomsmen could wear charcoal pants, and green oxford shirts with yellow ties, while the best man is featured in a yellow shirt and yellow tie. A green tie could be used, but the same on same might look nice in this respect.  White tablecloths could feature a yellow runner with green foliage loosely tossed about it, while yellow flower bouquets and white pillar candles complete the array.

Celtic Symbols.

Most are familiar with the intricate design work in a Celtic symbol.  These make for great charms on jewelry to be worn by the bridesmaids or given as Celtic wedding favors.  They can also be found adorning tins, which could be used to hold tasty candies or cookies given away as celebratory treats.  The groom might even pin the Celtic symbol to his lapel.  There are many ways that these special symbols can be integrated into a wedding theme, from tablecloths to sculpture; or from pins to platters.  Be creative, and while you don’t want to overdo it to the point that the decor looks tasteless, it cannot hurt to bring it into several aspects of the big event.

The Cake.

This piece of the overall wedding puzzle should be paid special attention because it offers a myriad of options for integrating the Celtic theme.  For instance, a traditional white tiered cake could simply be wrapped with real or frosted ivy and yellow flowers to tie in to the color theme, or a large round cake could be emblazoned with a Celtic symbol. One could also consider a giant shamrock-shaped cake, or the cake itself could be exchanged for 100-200 frosted cupcakes with green, white, and yellow icing.

This theme allows for a great deal of imagination, so that while two weddings may share the same theme, they could be completely different in execution.  Therefore, your big day can celebrate the past of your family, be true to you, and still provide a unique experience.

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Not long ago, choosing white bridesmaids’ dresses would have been unthinkable.  White was reserved for the bride, or perhaps an adorable little flower girl.  But after Pippa Middleton stunned at her sister’s wedding in a white bridesmaid’s dress, a hot trend was born.  Or rather white was freed from years of restrictions!  If you want your special ladies wearing white on the big day, feel free.  Here are some tips for getting the perfect look for your wedding.

While the taboo of wearing white to a wedding seems as old as marriage, it’s really relatively recent.  In ancient Rome, attendants wore the same color gowns as the bride to confuse evil spirits that may wish to harm the happy bride.  Later, wearing white was seen as trying to compete with the bride. A woman who did so would have drawn attention to herself when it was supposed to be the bride’s big day.  Pippa did draw her share of attention, but she did not overshadow big sister Kate because of the choice of the dress.

• According to USA Today, Pippa’s Alexander McQueen was “clean and modern” and helped create a more thematic look.  The bridesmaids all wore white, as did flower girls.  It creates a very simple, yet stunning, effect.
• The bridesmaid’s dress should not be elaborate. It can contain some detailing that ties it to the wedding gown, like subtle beading, but it should not overpower.  Stay away from trains, bustles, and big embellishments, like mermaid-style skirts. It's not hard to pick out the bride however, as she's usually the one with the wedding veil.
• Differentiate the bridesmaids’ dresses by adding color wedding accessories.  This is a great way to incorporate your wedding colors into the ceremony.  Sashes, scarves, belts, shoes, or other accessories add a nice splash of color and distinguish these ladies as your attendants.
• White works very well on bridesmaids if the bride is wearing a different color. Blush pinks are popular, but we are starting to see a wider range of shades in wedding gowns.  Turn convention on its head and take color back!  The bridesmaids could also wear sashes or scarves that match your dress to tie it all together beautifully.
• Consider different lengths.  A cocktail or tea length bridesmaid’s dress may provide great contrast with the bride’s longer gown.
• Mix it up.  Say your main color is eggplant and you have four bridesmaids; you can have two wear an eggplant dress with a white sash, and the other two white with an eggplant sash.
• Flowers can also make sure the bride shines just that much more brightly.  She should carry the best, most elaborate bouquet; bridesmaids should carry a small, bright bouquet, perhaps in contrasting colors.  If you go too far with the white theme, your photos can look washed-out. Do add color, whether in the flowers or the accessories.
• Think about the type of wedding you are going to have.  White works very well with formal weddings, as with Kim Kardashian’s black tie affair.  It can also be a great look for sunny, simple country weddings.  It all depends on the style of the dress and the material.
• Before the wedding, ask your girls if they would wear nude colored underwear that fit well.  You don’t want bright pink panties showing up in your wedding photos.

The trend in bridesmaids’ dresses for 2012 is simple, timeless, and practical.  When you choose well, white dresses can meet all of these requirements and more!  You don’t need an Alexander McQueen or Vera Wang to pull of the white bridesmaid look; more and more bridal retail shops are offering a variety of cream, ivory, and white dresses.

Now that it is “acceptable” for bridesmaids to wear white, what about female guests?  That tradition still clings.  Unless requested by the bride and groom, it is generally not a great idea to wear an all-white dress.  You can wear a white dress with a design (such as a floral print) or a dress with a white bodice and colored skirt.  Brides still want to steal the show!

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Choosing who will marry you may not be as crucial as whom you will marry, but it is still an essential part of your wedding ceremony.  Your officiant will not only set the tone for the occasion, he/she will make sure your marriage is legal!  Many times, in the rush to set the date, choose the venue, arrange for food, take care of decorations, and meet with the band or DJ, we forget about who will be standing up there with us as we take our vows.  You may have read it once or twice in a wedding planning guide, but have you really thought about it? Who do you want with you on the most important day of your life?

The first step is to decide if you want a religious ceremony or secular.  If you choose a religious officiant, like a pastor or priest, they may require that you and your future spouse receive pre-marital education or counseling.  The religious or secular nature of a wedding is an important consideration, too, because it often affects the ceremony itself as faiths celebrate marriage in different ways.  In many religious ceremonies, there is a great deal of tradition and ritual, which may be just what you want. Or it may not be.  Your choice of officiant may be affected, at least in part, by the type of wedding you want.

Before you speak with possible officiants, think about what, exactly, you want them to do.  Yes, they will pronounce you husband and wife, but do you have other expectations?  Do you want him/her to plan or write the ceremony?  Help at the rehearsal?  Help ensure the ceremony runs smoothly?  Book another officiant for you if he has an emergency or is sick on your wedding day?  These details may seem small now, but they won't when you are walking down the aisle.

You should like your officiant.  If it is not possible to engage the services of someone you know, then meet with possible candidates and see how you respond to them.  Are they warm and personable?  Do they have a nice voice that will carry?  Do they speak well and fluently?  Do they seem happy about performing your ceremony?  More and more weddings today can be termed “nontraditional.” Will your officiant be open and accepting of blended families, of couples in which one or both partners has been divorced, of interracial, interfaith, or same sex couples?  Will he be willing to perform the ceremony in your chosen locale?  All of these questions, and more, are important to discuss prior to any agreement.

In the hustle and bustle of planning a wedding, don't forget to dot your i's and cross your t's.  Make sure to book your officiant as soon as possible to ensure he/she will be available.  And do make sure he/she is legally authorized to marry you!  The requirements vary by state.  Check your state here to make sure that everything is in order.

Another consideration is the officiant's fee.  This, of course, will depend on the individual, the area, and the specifics of the ceremony, as well as how much responsibility the officiant has.  The fee can be as little as $50 or as much as $1,500.  According to the Bridal Association of America, the average fee for a justice of the peace is $50 to $100.  A retired judge or intern minister typically costs between $100 and $200, while a church official or professional officiant costs between $200 and $400.  If this seems high, remember that this is often the lowest fee among all the vendors you will engage, and it is the most important as well.

An option more and more couples are choosing is to have a friend or family member ordained.  This way, a loved one can perform the ceremony.  The Universal Life Church, for instance, ordains clergy for this purpose.  They have ordained more than 20 million people online.  The laws in your state may allow this or have conditions, so if you are interested, check the ULC site for more information.

Choosing an officiant for your wedding takes some consideration and time; don't settle for less than your ideal. It will make all the difference on your wedding day when you like both people who are waiting for you at the end of the aisle.

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Imagine leaving the chapel with your new spouse and walking under an arch of sabers.  There is no more dramatic and tear-inducing way to start a marriage!  Military weddings do much more than offer pomp and circumstance and pageantry; they honor patriotism, sacrifice, and service.  Men and women in the service vow to protect and serve their country; it is a very powerful and moving experience when they vow to love and honor their spouses as well.  A military wedding is memorable for everyone on the guest list, so start planning now!

As you might expect, military weddings carry with them a great amount of tradition, ritual, rules, and regulations.  But in many respects, planning a military ceremony is just like planning a “regular” one: you need to start early.  Just as desired venues get scooped up fast, especially during peak seasons, military chapels and halls are also booked well in advance.  It is advisable to book your chapel and reception venue a year in advance by applying to the chaplain’s office.  Check to make sure you are eligible for a military wedding as some rules apply.

If the service is performed at a military chapel or on academy grounds, the chaplain charges no fee, but do plan on making a donation to the chapel.  Some chapels allow another clergy person to co-officiate, so do ask if you would like to pursue that option – and you will have to pay that officiant’s fee.  Your chaplain may require pre-wedding counseling as well.

Speak with your chaplain about proper seating as there are some guidelines to consider.  Also ask about flowers and chapel decorations because rules vary.  The Chapel Altar Guild does arrange the flowers, candelabra, and other décor, and this is the same for every wedding.  You may have to provide your own reception decoration or even plan it yourself.  Part of the appeal of military weddings is the sense of tradition, and this extends to every detail, down to the decorations. And don't forget to look into matching wedding accessories as well.

Military weddings are gorgeous, and a large part of that are the uniforms.  Officers or enlisted personnel in the bridal party wear their uniforms (which may differ depending on the seasonal regulations or formality of the wedding).  A black-tie affair, for instance, would require dinner or mess dress uniforms, while a white-tie and tails event would require evening dress uniforms.  Non-commissioned officers wear dress blues or Army greens, and none of the uniformed service people wear a boutonniere.  Guests who serve in the military can choose to wear their uniforms or civilian clothing.

What if the bride is an officer?  Does she have to wear her uniform?  She may, but she may also wear a bridal gown, if she chooses.  Even the military knows not to mess with the dress.

There are also rules for the receiving line and reception.  For example, if the groom is uniformed, he must be before the bride in the receiving line.  Again, your chaplain is a great resource and can help you follow the regs – and have a great wedding!

The arch of the sabers (or swords, for the Navy) is optional, but it is often a highlight of the ceremony. Surprise; there are rules for this too!  In the Army, for instance, the couple exits the church under the arch.  In the Navy and Marines, the ushers usually form the saber detail, while in the Air Force, they cannot.  Regardless of the branch of the military, it is a stunning tradition.

From seating and decorations to dress and cutting the cake, there are rituals and traditions in every detail of the ceremony and reception. The rules and regulations may seem overwhelming at first, but chaplains (and handy websites!) are there to guide you through your military wedding preparations.

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The Hora

If you’ve ever been to a Jewish wedding, you’ve no doubt seen a cheerful dance called the Hora. This is a lively circle dance that is traditional at Jewish weddings and often at bar mitzvahs and bat mitzvahs.

The Hora came to America in the early 20^th century with Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe. The tradition was kept alive and the dance is still being danced today at Jewish ceremonies. The word Hora comes from the Greek word khoros which is found in English words such as chorus and choreograph.

The dance is usually performed to the Hebrew folk tune of Hava Nagila. The title translates literally into “Let us rejoice,” and is very appropriate for festive occasions.

The dance is simple yet poetic and very entertaining to watch. At a wedding reception, the bride and groom would grasp an end of the same handkerchief. Then, they are seated on chairs. The men lift the chairs over their shoulders and carry the bride and groom around. The rest of the party forms a closed circle. They dance steps that resemble the winding of a grapevine.

To do the dance, enter the circle and grasp hands with the people on either side of you. Take a step to the side and bring your left foot behind your right foot. As the circle moves to the music, move your right foot next to your left foot. Alternate for the next set of steps—left in front of right.

As the music plays, the circle will pick up momentum. You’ll need to add a hop to your steps to keep up. The continuous circle will move as one into the center of the circle and raise their linked hands into the air. Then, everyone moves back to their original place and the circle continues moving.

There are, of course, shouts of joy and much animation during this celebratory dance. To really enjoy it, you must be a part of it. The spinning can get pretty wild, so often you’ll see women taking their high heels off and dancing barefoot. Don’t be surprised if the group breaks into hysterical laughter when they can’t keep up with the music. That’s all part of the fun.

Mezinke Tanz or The Krenzl

Another dance you may see at a Jewish wedding is the Mezinke Tanz, or The Krenzl. Krenzl, meaning crown, is a dance that is danced only when a mother’s last daughter is married. In this touching dance, the bride’s mother sits in the center of a circle and her daughters crown her with flowers and guests dance around them. In the Mezinke Tanz version, both of the bride’s parents sit in the center of the circle as their daughters present crowns of flowers. The guests dance around them along with the daughters.

These days modern Jewish couples may opt to include the traditional dances or not. It is up to them. But often, the dances are included not only to please parents but also to avoid disappointing guests who will be looking forward to the traditions being included. There is no hard and fast rule as to which dances a couple should include. Often, today’s couples will hire a band that knows all the traditional wedding dance numbers, but also plays a full array of oldies and current music as well.

If you enjoyed this article, you will probably like this post on Jewish Wedding Traditions.

Your rehearsal dinner is over. You’re ready for bed and all you can think about is how stressed you’re going to be tomorrow on your wedding day. What if the cake falls? What if the band doesn’t show up? What if Uncle Vince gets drunk and embarrasses you? The last minute stresses of being a bride shouldn’t ruin your wedding day. You want to be calm, cool, and collected from the moment you wake up to the moment you close your eyes as a married woman. Sound like an impossible task? It’s not if you heed some good advice.

Plan enough time to get ready the day of your wedding. If it’s in the morning, allow several hours so you can have a cup of coffee in peace before everyone arrives to do your hair and makeup. And eat something. Many a bride has forgotten to eat on her wedding day and either passed out or gotten loopy with the first glass of champagne.

Designate before the big day who will be running last minute errands. Arrange for people who are reliable yet not urgently needed elsewhere that morning for pictures or to help dress you.

Errands that will need to be done the morning of the wedding are: picking up the flowers, ensuring the cake has arrived at the location (a phone call will do), ensuring there is cash or a check to pay the bartender, wedding venue or restaurant and musicians. You’ll also need payments and tips for the limo drivers and hairdresser and makeup artist. The last thing you want to be doing is handing out cash on your special day. Delegate this task to a person you can trust. Have envelopes clearly marked “Caterer” and “Limo Driver” so that nothing gets mixed up.

On track with being organized, it doesn't hurt to have a little floor plan mapped out so your assistants know where to put not only guest place cards, but the guest book, gift table, wedding favors, etc. Not to mention, a picture of how you want the tables to look as well. This will all help in the long run.

Designate a trustworthy friend the keeper of all wedding day gifts. People bring gifts to the wedding and they need to be put somewhere and monitored for theft. And often, people bring envelopes of cash as their gift. You don’t want those precious envelopes sitting out in public where restaurant patrons and other strangers can help themselves. Your trusty friend is now in charge of keeping watch. You’re excused from having to worry about it. That same person should bring the gifts home after the event to hold for you or drop them at your parents’ house or your own apartment.

Someone will need to be in charge of taking your wedding gown home if you are departing for your honeymoon right from the wedding. Even if you are staying over at a hotel for the night and leaving the next day, you want your wedding dress in safe hands and out of the way. Plan for an aunt or sibling to take it. You can change into a pretty but simple “going away” outfit before you leave the reception.

Wear comfortable shoes. It doesn’t matter if you paid $400 for a pair of beaded satin heels if your feet ache the whole day. Go for comfort. Some brides like to have a decorative pair of fun flip flops or ballet shoes to dance in. And some even wear white sneakers. You don’t have to go that drastic, but arrange well before your wedding day to break in your wedding shoes.

Don’t sweat the small stuff. Yes, it is your wedding day. Yes, you planned and prepared and spent a lot of time and money. But it’s not the end of the world if you flub a word in your vows or the ring bearer drops the rings. There will be tiny mishaps—everything from a run in your stocking to the bathroom being out of toilet paper at the restaurant. Everyone will come running to you with their problems…UNLESS you set up a No Comment Zone. Tell your wedding planner, mom, dad, and anyone else who’ll back you up that you are not going to be fielding complaints or solving problems that arise. Once you step into your dress, you are a bride. You are not required to run interference for two relatives who are bickering or monitor how many drinks Uncle Vince has had. Just smile and enjoy the day whatever comes your way.

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When the subject of inviting children to your wedding comes up, there will be many differences of opinion to deal with. Some well-meaning friends and family may say that you simply cannot include them as it is a formal occasion. Others will say that you should definitely include them as a wedding is a big party and not to include them is horrible. So what’s the rule?

It’s really up to you. There are no rules. You have to consider several things, however. First, if your wedding is very formal, are you going to want children running around? It also depends on whose children you are talking about inviting. Are you going to invite your sister’s young children because they are your nieces and nephews? Are you feeling pressured to invite your bridesmaid’s children because she’s in the wedding party?

These are issues that will come up. And again, it’s up to you. While it might feel horrible to you to exclude a two year old nephew—and so you invite him—there’s no reason you have to have every two year old child that’s in any way connected to the wedding.

Any children from past marriages should be given the opportunity to choose to come or not. If they don’t want to come, that’s their choice, but definitely extend the invitation. The last thing you want is to start out your new married life with bruised feelings.

When it comes to your bridesmaids or best friends, you may want to have a private talk with them way before the issue even comes up. Tell them that you are planning a more formal evening and children would be out of place. She may be offended, so be prepared. Talk about how much you want her in the wedding and that you’d like her to be free to just enjoy herself too.

If you decide to have children at your wedding, you do have some options to control disruptions. You can hire a nanny for the day. Provide a children’s area complete with crayons and small games to occupy the children. Depending on their ages, some of them can even help entertain the younger ones. The nanny can be a high school girl or a local teen that you know from church. Ask around. Someone may just love the idea of making a few bucks for watching the children during a wedding.

You can have a separate meal for the children that is more to their liking without having to alter the adult menu. Serve mac and cheese and chicken fingers and they’ll all be happy. Have a tent for the kids, and offer wedding favors or kids gifts so they can have their own little play area. Or rent a bounce house that they can play with outside while the guests are dancing and dining.

Many children are perfectly well behaved and can join the regular festivities. If you have a mom who is in the bridal party, she can ask her husband to supervise the child while she’s off taking photos. You may even want to offer her the option to sit with her child instead of at the head table so the child can spend time with mom (and act up less).

Either way you choose to go, children at your wedding are your choice. Don’t let anyone sway you one way or the other. Do what feels right to you and your fiancé.

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First, you fell in love. Then you got engaged and all thoughts turned to planning your wedding. What better way to celebrate your love than with a wedding based around a Love theme?

Perhaps love for you means hearts. Maybe it means flowers. Or you might be more literal and would like the world “love” on your favors and in your décor. Any way you choose to portray it, love is a romantic theme to surround yourselves in on the big day.

• Start your Love theme rolling with your Save the Date cards and invitations. Choose very ornate scrollwork that spells out LOVE or choose a simple heart to represent love.
• Set the tone with love songs. Have the DJ or band play all love songs that your guests will immediately recognize. Include sappy songs from yesteryear as well as your favorite modern songs.
• Choose colors like red and white or red and silver. They’ll immediately register as colors of love (think Valentine’s Day). Carry the red throughout the day with hearts, red and white roses, red heart shaped candies, etc.
• Your gown can have little heart accents embroidered into it. Or you can wear a red velvet sash or a glittering garnet heart. Add a little splash of red and you’ve instantly drawn in everyone’s attention.
• Give out love theme wedding favors. Heart-shaped soaps or candles are charming. But you can also choose from an array of favors that actually spell out LOVE. Coasters, key rings, bookmarks, mint tins, letter openers, cookies, cupcakes, luggage tags, coffee scoops, wine glasses, and more can all be ordered with the letters L-O-V-E imprinted on them.
• Have satin ribbon imprinted with the word love. Use it to tie your bouquets, favors, around your cake and in other places. It will be a nice touch that everyone will remember.
• Your cake will, of course, be a tower of love. You can go ultra suave or super funky with the cake. You might want to subtly have the word love iced all over the cake or you might want a completely red cake with hearts all over it. Make a statement about your love with this focal point of the reception.
• Order soap favors or chocolates in the individual letters L-O-V-E. Scatter them throughout the reception, in the restrooms, and on the sign-in table, and let people find them. When you scatter them, guests will try to figure out what the individual letters spell.

• Have a “Love Tree” instead of a guest book. Have a potted topiary in the shape of a heart or the word love at the sign-in table. Instead of just signing their names have guests write a word or two about love on a slip of paper and attach it to the tree. You can use heart charms or heart-shaped tacks to hang the cards. It will be a nice way to relive the day when you return from your honeymoon.

• Show your love for your parents, family and friends with a tribute to them. Have a little speech ready for you or your fiancé to give before your first dance at the reception. This will truly bring your whole love theme together and ensure that there’s not a dry eye in the place.

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2. Vintage Theme Wedding Ideas
3. Planning a Love Bird Themed Wedding