When it comes to weddings, it’s tough to reinvent the wheel. For most people, tradition dictates everything from the cut of the diamond to the particulars of the guest list. Things tend to get done a certain way because that’s just how it is.
Until it isn’t.
For some couples, blazing a new nuptial trail comes with the territory. Instead of doing what’s expected of them, they dance to a different band. It’s a pattern that probably brought them together and will no doubt serve them well for years to come. If you’re that kind of bride and groom to be, listen up. Here are a few ideas that won’t work for everybody. But they may just work for you.
Embossed Bytes
Heavy stock and engraved script is one flavor of wedding invitations, and a popular one at that. But for some duos, like Amber Kuhn and Mark Sessle, there are other options. “We weren’t going formal, because that wasn’t the kind of wedding we planned,” said Kuhn, who tied the knot Oct. 31, 2007.
How did the couple summon guests to their intimate event? With a personalized DVD.”It was awesome,” said Kuhn. “It started with a montage of family photos set to music, very helpful since our families live on opposite coasts and were meeting at the wedding.” The couple also told the story of their meeting on DVD, enhancing it with photos and music. A DVD can also include itinerary and activity details, pertinent websites, registry information and hotel recommendations. “We liked the idea because it was different and high-tech,”said Kuhn. “And we’re not very traditional.”
Going Green
The ubiquitous color green is nothing new at wedding receptions. But in the many weddings he plans, Mark Kingsdorf of Queen of Hearts Wedding Consultants in Philadelphia has noticed newlyweds taking the eco-friendly notion a step further and insisting on locavore reception fare. “You can incorporate small changes that will make a difference without having a tree-hugger, crunchy-granola wedding,” he said. Burn less fuel and reduce your wedding’s carbon footprint by asking that your caterer employ the 100-mile rule. “Basically, work with ingredients that are grown and produced within a 100-mile radius,” said Kingsdorf. With gas prices being what they are, planning your ceremony and reception in a single location is another simple way to make a difference; as Kingsdorf said, “You’re not hauling your guests all over the place.” And as more designers turn out gorgeous gowns in earth-friendly organic cottons, silk and even bamboo, wearing an eco-friendly creation becomes a viable option.
Reception Consciousness
Beyond green, international wedding planner Lisa Light, founder of www.destinationbride.com, sees more couples raising the overall social consciousness of their wedding. “That can encompass everything from the resort they choose for their wedding or honeymoon destination to giving back in lieu of reception favors,” said Light. She recommends the donation clearinghouse website http://changingthepresent.org as a jumping-off point if this appeals.
When Erica Camilo and Christopher DiNitto married in August, 2009, Camilo knew she didn’t want typical wedding favors: “Everybody throws them out. What a waste.” Camilo, who comes from “a family full of women,” had a personal scare with breast cancer a few years back. Her favors, cookies baked by the hotel pastry chef in the shape of a pink breast cancer ribbon, indicated a donation made for each guest to breast cancer research.
Floating Destination Weddings
While certainly not a new trend, destination weddings are hotter than ever, especially as a way to conserve cash in today’s lean economic times. “More couples are opting for cruise weddings,” said Light. “Princess Cruises is a leader in this market with their Tie the Knot program.”
The first cruise line that offered at-sea weddings officiated by the captain (Celebrity and Azamara cruise lines recently added that feature), Princess offers wedding packages from $1,800, depending on how couples want to customize their wedding. “Essentially, the guests are paying for themselves,” said Light. “And the ship is already geared to handling large parties and creating upscale events. The quality of the food that you get is outstanding. Really, you get so much more for your money.”
Retro Raves
Everything old is new again, when it comes to reception fare, at least, noted wedding consultant Tina LaMorte. In recent months, “I’ve seen more pigs in a blanket than ever,” she said. From mini-grilled cheese sandwiches and little mac and cheese bites to sliders, comfort food is all the rage. Classic cocktails are equally popular, from whisky sours and sidecars to the ever-present martini bars.
After Parties
Why stop the party? That’s the idea behind the “after party” trend, the proliferation of late night lounge scenes geared to the newly married couple and their friends. “They do the regular reception, which tends to be a lot of their parents’ friends and family members, and then they go to another room at the hotel which has been transformed into a party lounge,” said LaMorte. This party is for them—about their friends, their music, at a time in the night when they won’t freak grandma out with the noise.
Small-Scale Luxury
Thanks to the economy, the big, beautiful, expensive wedding is taking its hits. “Brides don’t want to sacrifice their dream wedding, but they don’t want to spend frivolously,” said LaMorte. “People have smaller budgets. If a client comes to me and says, ‘I have $30,000 and 250 people. What can I do?’ the answer is clearly nothing. But that $30,000 can deliver an outrageous affair for 75 of your closest friends and family members.” Scaling down and cutting the guest list is a sign of the times. “Grand on a small scale is in,” said LaMorte.
Not Your Mama’s Wedding Pictures (or Video)
Although she prides herself on pleasing any bride, photographer Alyse Liebowitz has banished typical wedding photos from her repertoire.”The static bride and groom shots just don’t do it,” she said. Instead, Liebowitz and her team specialize in shooting in a photojournalistic style, along with working in black and white, sepia, color, and with special effects such as hand tinting and part color/part black and white. Shooting in a style that puts her subjects candidly in the moment translates to a picture worth more than a thousand words.
Blogging Brides
With family and friends scattered around the country, Kathleen Fischer decided that the easiest way to keep everybody in the wedding loop was to start a blog. So she did: http://weddingkoolaid.blogspot.com.
Fischer, who married Matt Callahan Oct. 24, 2009, is a technical writer by profession. “I figured I’d tap into my creative side, and this would be a cool thing to show our kids someday,” she said. What she learned was that blogging was a good way to process and let off a little steam when planning got intense.
LaMorte has found that 95 percent of her clients create a wedding website as a way to keep guests in the loop and get people excited about the Big Day.
“For us, it was important that we planned our wedding in a way that reflected our style and values,” said Camilo. “We knew what we were and what we weren’t willing to compromise. At the end of the day, this was the one day that really was all about us.”
Seth Kaye Photography / sethkayephotography.com
