Five Valentine’s Day Inspired Wedding Ideas

Are you and your fiancé true romantics at heart? Does the thought of a Valentine’s Day Wedding send your heart aflutter? February 14 is certainly a cherished day to celebrate love and romance, and what could be a better way to bring together family and friends in observance of your union! Here are five Valentine’s Day inspired wedding ideas to ensure that everyone will be seeing hearts by the end of the night!

Dress

Go classical and romantic with your dress—heart shaped necklines, lace, and flowing veils speak of romance and sweet femininity. Choosing red bridesmaid dresses and accents is an option for a Valentine’s Day wedding, but I prefer pale blush pink shades. It is, in my opinion, easier to incorporate into the overall design of your reception and ceremony because the hue is not as bold or overpowering.

 

Michael Segal Photography www.michaelsegalphoto.com

Michael Segal Photography www.michaelsegalphoto.com

Décor

Be sure to book your location in advance because Valentine’s Day weddings are proving to be more and more popular. If weather in your location permits, a wedding in a garden provides the perfect romantic backdrop. Before the ceremony begins, ask married couples to stand and reaffirm their love for each other. Incorporating other couples acknowledges the true meaning of Valentine’s Day, as well as thanks them for allowing you to be a part of their journey as a couple. At the reception, have your band or DJ play old classic love songs—think Frank Sinatra, Billie Holiday, and Bing Crosby. Order vintage Valentine’s Day cards online, and use them as seat markers for your guests. Decorate the tables as if you were preparing for a romantic meal at home—plenty of candles, flowers, and gauzy fabrics set the scene, and the mood, for romance.

www.designrelated.com

Karen Horton www.designrelated.com/Karen

 

Flowers

Roses are the hallmark of Valentine’s Day, but do not be afraid to incorporate a variety of pink and red flowers. You do not want your flower arrangements to look perfect and stodgy—instead, have your arrangements look like they were plucked out of a romantic garden, growing wild and untamed.

Michael Segal Photography www.michaelsegalphoto.com

Michael Segal Photography www.michaelsegalphoto.com

 

Food

Food is the way to most people’s hearts, so have your food choices reflect the romanticism of the night. Oysters, chocolate covered strawberries, champagne, chocolate fondue, asparagus—these aphrodisiac foods are delicious and in the theme of Valentine’s Day. Most importantly, allow the cake to be the main star!

 

Michael Segal Photography www.michaelsegalphoto.com

Michael Segal Photography www.michaelsegalphoto.com

Favors

Remember those cute Valentine’s Day cards you had to pass out in elementary school along with the heart-shaped candies? Customize boxes of the candies with you and your partner’s name, and include a Valentine’s Day card that says, “Thank you for being our Valentine.”

examiner.com

examiner.com

Top Five 2014 Wedding Trends

Happy New Year! With a new year comes new wedding fashions, and at Bridal Hot List, we want to make sure you are up to date on the latest trends in décor, wedding gowns, food, colors, and flowers. What a beautiful way to ring in a new year!

Décor

The New Year brings about a turn away from the shabby chic craze, and a turn to an old Hollywood glamour vibe. Look for vintage elements that will add glamour and glitz to your wedding and reception—old hotels with elaborate ballrooms do much of the heavy lifting for you in terms of décor, so look for hotels that offer interesting architectural touches such as elaborate staircases, marble floors, and painted ceilings.

Overall trend

Colors

Neutral colors will allow the beauty of your venue to shine, so choose classic colors such as white, black, beige, and grey. Navy and various shades of pink will also be big this season, even being seen in several designer wedding gown collections!

Gettyimages.com

Gettyimages.com

Flowers

Peonies and roses give romantic glamour to your venue and bouquet. Darker flowers mixed in with various shades of pink add interest and depth. Adding family heirlooms, such as necklaces, lace pieces, and rings, to your bouquet will add gorgeous vintage elements and will make it more personal!

Peonies

Dress

Wedding gowns will be lacy, embellished, and full of old Hollywood glamour! Halter-tops, Grecian draping, floral headpieces, and fur stoles ensure that 2014 will be the most glamorous wedding season of all. Should you opt for a trendy pink dress, keep the shape and style simple. No need for fancy detailing–let the color be the star of your gown!

Gettyimages.com

Gettyimages.com

 

Food

Homegrown and local food is still the trend for 2014, so choose caterers that work with local farms. Elegant sit down dinners is a big change from the laid back and homey buffet style from the shabby-chic 2013, but alternative dessert bars, instead of a traditional wedding cake, is still big this season. If having a wedding cake is more your style, then go for a classic white cake to keep in theme with the old Hollywood glamour trend.

Elegant sit down dinner

Top Five Winter Wedding Ideas

Winter is a time of family, friends, feasting, and festivities, and it is quickly becoming one of the most popular times to tie the knot. However, with the holiday season in full swing, winter can also be one of the most stressful times of the year. With our five top ways to incorporate winter themes into your wedding, you can add some festive cheer without adding extra stress to your season. So cozy up and read on to learn how you can be extra merry with your holiday and wedding planning!

Dress

The type of weather and climate you will be facing on your big day will determine just how bundled you and your wedding party will need to be. Keep in mind that despite how chilly it might be outside, you do not want to be sweaty and uncomfortable in a thick and heavy dress once you are inside and in the heat. Intricately detailed dresses (a la The Great Gatsby) are still trending this season, so take advantage of the beautiful beading and let it reflect the feeling of a gorgeous winter landscape. This decadent trend also celebrates straps and long sleeves, as well as capes and fur stoles. And don’t worry—there are plenty of gorgeous faux fur stoles out there for you to choose from!

 

ruffledblog.com

ruffledblog.com

Décor

Be cognizant of your guests’ winter traditions by staying clear from decorating with a purely Christmas theme. There are plenty of ways you can add gorgeous winter décor that doesn’t scream Santa Claus—plus, by steering away from Santa motifs and red and green drapery, you are also keeping your wedding and reception classy, and not cheesy. However, you can still incorporate red and green by using garland and holly, and a Christmas tree here and there won’t overkill your venue. A gorgeous tree upon entering the reception adds a majestic and wintery touch—having your guests sign tree ornaments to hang on the tree is a great substitute for a guest book, and it allows you and your spouse to have something special to look back on every winter.

Two Chics Photography

Two Chics Photography

Flowers

Bring the outdoors inside by decorating tables with pinecones, tree saplings, holly, garland, and poinsettias. Large white branches with orchids dangling from the limbs resemble snowflakes falling in snow. Don’t be afraid to use winter fillers—pinecones, sprigs of Christmas trees, branches—in your bouquet in lieu of using purely flowers, and instead of choosing only red and green flora, opt for cooler colors in muted tones.

 

http://www.bobanddawndavis.com/

http://www.bobanddawndavis.com/

Food

Wintertime is all about cozy comfort food that is shared with family and friends, so don’t skimp on the food at your reception. Choose filling classics such as mashed potatoes, ham, turkey, and squash, and let your sweet tooth take over with s’mores stations and miniature pies. My favorite part? A hot coca and cider bar!

Hot chocolate bar

Favors

As always, the best favors tend to be either edible or functional, and a winter wedding gives you plenty of options in either category. Miniature pies, hot cocoa ingredients, and peppermint bark make for tasty favors, while gloves, scarves, and blankets are always appreciated during the winter months.

Bridesofadelaide.com/au

Bridesofadelaide.com/au

Top Seven Unique Thanksgiving Wedding Ideas

Thanksgiving is a time to gather together with family and friends and celebrate the things we are most thankful for. Oh, and, of course, stuff ourselves silly with delicious food! It makes complete sense then that so many couples are deciding to get married around Thanksgiving. These top seven tips will ensure that your wedding day is classy and beautiful, and not something that resembles an elementary Thanksgiving Day pageant parade. No Pilgrim hats and feathered headbands, please!

Invites and Save the Dates

One of the most important things to keep in mind when planning a holiday-centric wedding is that many friends will want to spend the holiday with their own families. The way to overcome this is to send our your Save the Dates as soon as you possibly can! Thanksgiving weddings, though, do offer the additional bonus of most of your guests already having time off of work for the holiday.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/nmiphotocreations

http://www.etsy.com/shop/nmiphotocreations

Location

Thanksgiving is the epitome of autumnal beauty, so choosing either an outside venue—or a venue that can give you plenty of gorgeous fall landscapes—is the way to go. The rich fall colors, the bounty of fallen leaves, and the forgiving temperatures of fall, all make for a perfect outdoor wedding.

http://www.weddingomania.com/

http://www.weddingomania.com/

Décor

Let nature dictate the décor for your ceremony and reception! Think of woodsy and rustic themes, allowing yourself to be inspired by trees, feathers, bird’s nests, and fallen leaves. Stay away from cheap Thanksgiving decorations: no miniature cornucopias or turkey designs cut out of construction paper. Evoke the meaning of the season by placing decorative and rustic chalkboards around the venue, allowing people to write down what they are most thankful for. If you are opting for an outdoor wedding, have the chalkboards perched in the middle of the tables. You want your ceremony and reception to look easeful and natural, almost as if it’s an enchanted autumnal forest. Having an elaborately decorated and stuffy reception just doesn’t suit the meaning of Thanksgiving.

https://www.etsy.com/shop/RoxyHeartVintage?ref=exp_listing

https://www.etsy.com/shop/RoxyHeartVintage?ref=exp_listing

Food

Food is the highlight of Thanksgiving, so make sure that your food is the highlight of your reception! You can always choose a more traditional Thanksgiving meal to serve your guests, or, if you’re concerned that your guests will already have had their fill of turkey from their own Thanksgiving celebrations, you can always serve traditional family dishes with a twist—Gruyere mac and cheese with bacon, apple stuffed pork chops, bourbon chocolate pecan pie, etc. Garnish your wedding cake with a few autumnal touches, and place it atop a tree stump cake stand.

 

http://www.etsy.com/listing/69857611/medium-8-inch-rustic-wood-cake-stand

http://www.etsy.com/listing/69857611/medium-8-inch-rustic-wood-cake-stand

Flowers

Don’t be afraid to branch out (pun intended) from using exclusively flowers in your bouquet or centerpieces. Acorns, branches, and fall leaves can all make gorgeous additions to any flower arrangement.

 

http://www.weddingomania.com/

http://www.weddingomania.com/

Dress

Keep your dress classic and easeful. Thanksgiving is about the comfort of being with family, friends, and food! An overly embroidered and corseted gown will clash with your themes of nature and ease.

jcrew.com

jcrew.com

 

Favors

Favors should always be edible or useful, and since it is Thanksgiving, edible is the way to go! Miniature pies, bottles of maple syrup, maple candy, and miniature bottles of pumpkin ale all make for festive favors that your guests will surely appreciate.

https://www.etsy.com/shop/VanillaRetro?ref=l2-shopheader-name

https://www.etsy.com/shop/VanillaRetro?ref=l2-shopheader-name

Top Seven Unique Wedding Halloween Ideas

Boo! Halloween is nigh, bringing a season of candy, costumes, and creepy crawly horrors that send chills up your spine. Nothing though, might seem as scary or as daunting as incorporating Halloween themes into your wedding or reception. But have no fear! We have the top seven unique ways you can add some spooky flair to your special day, whether you choose to go all-out with a costume themed wedding or low key with a few Halloween touches here and there.

Invites

Immediately let your guests know the theme and style of the wedding by choosing an eerie, yet classy, invitation design. Something as simple as writing “Till Death Do Us Part” is a spooky spin on a classic wedding line. Allow your invites to reflect the type of Halloween wedding you are having—Quirky? Modern? Victorian?

Cary Pennington Photography

Cary Pennington Photography

Location

Location can prove to be very important when planning a themed wedding and can quickly and easily establish the atmosphere you are looking for—think: gothic churches, creepy mansions, or rustic and autumnal outdoor settings. Choosing a traditional setting and trying to coat it with cobwebs crosses the line into cheesiness, so picking an inherently spooky location can save you a lot of decorating heartache.

Attire

No one in your wedding party will speak to you again if you force them wear black and orange outfits that make them resemble pumpkins and gourds. However, where you can add some Halloween excitement is with the youngest members of your party; outfit your flower girls and ring bearers in costumes that illicit oohs and ahhs, instead of screams of fear. If you want to add some spooky touches to your wedding dresses, go for an eerie Victorian look, with plenty of lace and vintage touches. Skull cufflinks give a traditional male tuxedo some festive flair.

Ace Photography

Ace Photography

Food

Your food and beverage choices are where you can really have fun! Set up your bar as a mad scientist lab and serve drinks out of vials and beakers. Don’t be afraid to use dry ice or food coloring—a big punch bowl full of a green alcoholic beverage, labeled biohazard, is sure to draw some attention. Nothing says Halloween like a candy buffet! You can opt out of having a wedding cake and choose to do a candy buffet or creepy crawly cupcake tower, but if you do choose to have a wedding cake, feel free to make your wedding cake a festive and spooky affair as well!

 

Ace Photography

Ace Photography

Flowers

There are so many gorgeous fall colors to choose from when picking your flower arrangements. Think plum, orange, burgundy, gold, and go with lilies, roses, and orchids. Work with your florist on creating some fabulously spooky, yet beautiful, flower arrangements. Sometimes just adding some black branches is all you need to give it that Halloween flair.

Cary Pennington Photography

Cary Pennington Photography

Décor

The last thing you want is for your reception to look like a haunted house, so steer clear of cobwebs, black gauze, and fake skeletons. Victorian wedding photos, plenty of candles, and rich autumnal colors give a general eerie quality while the small details, such as the name card-holders and table trinkets, can have some quirky Halloween appeal: fake vampire teeth, miniature pumpkins, witch’s hats—the possibilities are endless!

 

Ace Photography

Ace Photography

Cary Pennington Photography

Cary Pennington Photography

Favors

Halloween is the season of treats, so edible treats are the way to go! You can opt to make your candy buffet part of your wedding favors by giving your guests personalized candy bags. Masquerade masks, bottles of red wine labeled “Vampire blood,” or miniature pumpkin pies are also festive favors.

 

Ace Photography

Ace Photography

Falling in Love with Five Fall Trends

Fall can be an ideal time to have a wedding—with its rich hues, beautiful changing foliage, and cooler temperatures for outdoor celebrations, many brides are choosing autumnal wedding dates over the more traditional wedding summer months. Fall bridal runway shows gave us a peek into what styles we can expect to see this fall, and with its mix of whimsy, elegance, and quirky sophistication, we can confidently say that you will fall for these fall trends!

Gowns

Fall is ushering in a return to the long, elegant, and intricately embroidered gown. Draping and beautiful backs were huge on the runway for fall—after all, the back of your gown is what the majority of your friends and family will see during the ceremony. Detailed beading, vintage cuts, and capped sleeves give gowns this season a roaring twenties vibe.

 

BHLDN_Ortensia_Gown

www.bhldn.com

www.bhldn.com

Colors

Color palettes are following this trend of elegant sophistication, with ceremonies and wedding receptions sticking to warm neutrals with pops of jewel tones. Pantone predictions for fall colors offer up beautiful examples of these rich hues than can be incorporated into your bridesmaids dresses and décor. If you choose to have an outdoor wedding, keeping to neutral beiges and creams will allow the changing fall foliage to act as the focal point.

pantone-2013-fall-colors

Décor and Food

As previously mentioned, choosing an outdoor wedding allows you to capitalize on the cooler temperatures and gorgeous changing colors of the season. A big trend for fall outdoor weddings will be bringing classic sophistication to the outdoors. Think chandeliers hanging from branches, elegant sit down dinners, and lush furniture pieces and sitting areas under lit trees. Locally grown food is still a dominating trend, so your sit down dinner should feature hearty and filling fall food from the region.

http://michaelandannacosta.com/

http://michaelandannacosta.com/

Flowers

Even though peonies won’t be in season in fall, they seem to be popping up everywhere in terms of fall trends. Wildflowers also make for beautiful fall flower arrangements and bouquets. Decadently decorated tables mimic the style of the embellished wedding gowns we saw on the runway, so don’t be shy with your use of flowers and centerpieces. Your neutral color palette will help these rich and deep hues pop, and the lush flowers will make your reception look like a gorgeous secret garden!

http://www.erickelleyphotography.com/

http://www.erickelleyphotography.com/

Wedding Favors

Going along with the locally sourced food, wedding favors from the region are always an appreciated gift. Autumnal flower seeds wrapped in burlap will ensure that your guests will have a beautifully blooming reminder of your wedding day. Maple syrup, local jam, or individual mini pumpkin and apple pies make yummy treats that your guests can enjoy at home.

wedding favor

Top Five Fool Proof Wedding Favors

As a wedding guest, I am always curious as to see what the bride and groom have planned for their wedding favors. Will it be one more useless trinket holder for me to find some empty patch of bookshelf to store it away and gather dust? When planning your wedding favors, it can be tricky to discern what will be appreciated by your guests as cherished mementos from your wedding, and what favors will be added to their stockpile of knick knacks or even just tossed in the trashcan. Favors should be unique, thoughtful, and fit within your theme and budget; and, if it isn’t edible, it should be useful. As a general rule of thumb, think twice before you engrave your initials, names, and wedding date on every favor. No one really wants a picture frame or a wine glass with your initials emblazoned across the front (sorry). Also, it’s a good idea to stay away from favors that are strongly scented, such as candles and soaps—people can be sensitive to certain smells or just plain picky about the aroma of their home. Lastly, keep favors gender neutral; I’ve seen many a man go home with compacts and lip balms, only to mutter to themselves, “I guess I will give this to my girlfriend/wife/neighbor/coworker…”

To help kick start your brainstorming juices, we’ve made of list of our top five fool proof wedding favor ideas!

Seasonal Wedding Favors

To ensure that your wedding favors are useful to your guests, keep in mind the time of year that you are having your wedding. Sunglasses are a fun and fashionable favor for summer weddings, while chapstick or ornaments are great for the winter months. I have recently fallen in love with wildflower papers—these papers will plant beautiful spring flowers, giving your guests a colorful reminder of your wedding.

 

Source: http://www.botanicalpaperworks.com/

Source: http://www.botanicalpaperworks.com/

 

Food, Nom Nom

If I have to see another tiny pail filled with pastel almonds I will scream. Just because your wedding favor is food doesn’t mean that it can’t also be thoughtful or creative. Gifting your guests something that is local or unique to your town or heritage is always appreciated, such as local honey, preserves, hot sauce, or olive oil. Do you have a favorite family dessert or dish? Package the dry ingredients and attach the recipe. Bonus points for you if you include a vegan or gluten-free option!

Source: inspiringpretty.com

Source: inspiringpretty.com

 

 

Giftable Decorations

If you are struggling to find ways to decorate the tables at your reception, allow your wedding favors to do the job. Succulents in teacups and small flowerpots, as well as vintage picture frames, can serve as table place markers. Personalized miniature flower vases can hold flower arrangements for your table, while also working as a gift for your guests to enjoy at home.

Source: http://www.frolic-blog.com/

Source: http://www.frolic-blog.com/

Wedding Appropriate

Wedding favors that can be used while at the reception are always fun because of their instant gratification factor. A tub filled with flip flops in a variety of sizes are welcome to any guest who wants to kick off their uncomfortable formal shoes and boogie on the dance floor. Classy hangover kits are humorous, and more often that not, incredibly appreciated the morning after! Journals, luggage tags, and reusable nylon bags are great for destination weddings, but can continue to be used and enjoyed at home.

Helping Others

A surefire way to make sure your wedding favor is useful and appreciated is to make a charity donation on behalf of your guest. A simple card with a personal note explaining to your guests that a donation has been made, along with a description of the charity and its work, is a gift that is more meaningful and long lasting than treats or bottle openers or tiny boxes.

Source: http://blog.myjeanm.com/

Source: http://blog.myjeanm.com/

The All American Bride

The 4th of July is right around the corner, and with wedding season in full swing, it is no surprise that many brides are wondering how to incorporate the Independence Day festivities into their special day. However, if the idea of throwing Old Glory willy-nilly all over your wedding reception makes you want to run for the hills, don’t you worry—we will show you how to add hints of 4th flair without creating a cheesy red, white, and blue festival.

LOCATION:
It can sometimes be difficult to walk the line between cheesy and classy when incorporating a strong theme into your reception. Picking the right location for your big day can be the first step in discovering just how far you can push your theme. For example, an outdoor reception can have more of a vintage Americana feel, while a reception in a hotel ballroom might restrict you in how far you can go with your 4th of July decorations. In other words, allow the “feel” of the venue dictate the “feel” of your theme choices. There is something “American” feeling about an outdoor wedding, whether it’s on a picturesque beach, a beautiful lakeside shore, a rustic barn, or under a tree in your own backyard.

VintageFourthofJuly (1)

DECORATIONS:
The décor will be the most impactful way for you to add some 4th flair. The key is choosing a design aesthetic that is cohesive—the last thing you want is some random flags stuck onto your table and cutouts of fireworks taped onto the walls. A classic “Americana” or Southern shabby-chic vibe fits into a Norman Rockwell aesthetic that is perfect for Independence Day. Think plaid, gingham, old lace, burlap, and rustic wooden signs and crates—easy, comfortable, and effortless beauty. If you want to go with red, white, and blue, keep the colors subdued and distressed, never bright or tacky. Don’t be afraid to mix patterns when it comes to your table decorations—mismatched linens, tableware, and flatware can give it an old, antique feel. It should look like everything came out of an old vintage trunk found in your grandmother’s attic, not like you bought it at a party store. Vintage flags can serve as table markers at the reception, while wildflowers in porcelain and glass vases delicately enhance the table. Stringing paper lanterns and tea lights add a romantic and nostalgic flare.

Adjusted Drink Station

FOOD:
Your food choices can be a fun and creative way to add some irony and humor into your reception. This is your chance to get cheesy! “Dressed-up” comfort food is a fantastic way to keep with your theme. Bacon-wrapped dates, macaroni and cheese, barbecue, gourmet grilled cheese, sliders, popcorn, a mashed potato bar—the list goes on! Cocktail choices range from craft beer to mint juleps, and for non-alcoholic drinks, think retro favorites: Coke served in real Coke bottles, lemonade, sweet tea, root beer. Mason jars are a great way to serve your drinks, but if you are worn-out from the whole Mason jar trend, you can always mix and match old glass bottles and jars. For desserts, caramel apples, cupcakes, and traditional pies are delicious options, while a snow-cone booth is sure to add some fun and quirk to any reception. Having an outdoor reception? Make a s’mores station around a campfire!

FourthofJulySweets

ODDS AND ENDS:
Continue your theme before and after your wedding by having your wedding stationery reflect your Independence Day motif—mixing patterns, using vintage-inspired fonts, and keeping the colors within the subdued color palette from your reception. You can also use the same type of stationery for writing your thank you notes. Wedding favors for your guests could be confetti poppers, sparklers, vintage flags, or even canned preserves from a local farm. Finish off your night with a private fireworks show or by driving off in a classic pick up truck or vintage car.

FourthofJulyPinwheelWindsocks

Finally, it is important to remember why we celebrate the 4th of July, and a great way to do that is by giving back. On your wedding registry, present your guests with the option of donating to a charity of your choice. There are several fantastic organizations that benefit veterans, soldiers, and military families. On your special day, nothing speaks more towards the spirit of the American people than giving back to those who helped us secure our freedom and those who are fighting to keep it intact.

Stand-Out Receptions for Outstanding Couples

What are some adjectives that describe you and your future spouse? Spunky, funky, classic, quirky? If the wedding ceremony is possibly a reflection of you and your significant other’s religious or familiar traditions and backgrounds, then your reception should be a reflection of who you are as a couple! Keep in mind that many people who are attending your reception will only know one of you well, and might not know you and your future spouse as a couple. This is especially true for friends and family who live out of state. Remember, this is a celebration of the two of you as a couple! Here are a few ways to make your reception as unique as the love the two of you share.

1. Setting the Scene
The overall décor of the reception lends a unique vibe that is a reflection of you two as a couple, as a unit. And keep in mind, that unique decorations do not have to mean expensive decorations; in fact, handcrafting your own décor can be inexpensive, and it gives a personal touch to the evening. Instead of having elaborate and expensive flower arrangements on each table, opt for a few classically placed buds, surrounded by antique jewelry, handkerchiefs, and beautifully framed family photos from past weddings. Having centerpieces that are composed of family mementos give the guests a peek into your background, and will honor the family members present at the reception. Plus, who doesn’t love to see vintage wedding photographs?
Involve your guests by having bowls, pieces of colored paper, and a few pens sporadically placed around the venue; print out instructions that ask them to write down their favorite date ideas, or any advice they might have for you and your spouse as you begin this new and exciting chapter. Later on, you can always add a page of “love advice” to your guest book, adding another special memento for you and your spouse.
On the gift table, make a table runner that doubles as a timeline of your relationship. When did the two of you meet? First date? First time meeting the parents? Have photographs of you as a couple accompany the timeline, allowing guests to read and see your unique love story. Have a video of your engagement? Videos of the engagement, birthday and holiday parties of you as a couple, and even childhood videos, act as an entertaining and tender buffer while the guests wait for your arrival. You could even videotape your family and friends telling funny, romantic, or touching stories about the two of you as a couple—as long as they’re reception appropriate, wink.

2. Make An Entrance
This is your grand entrance as a married couple! How you make this entrance can say a lot about who you are as a duo. If you want something classy and subdued, have your guests clink their glasses or give a toast in your honor, or if you’re religious, have a family member lead everyone in a prayer. Want something fun and spunky? Choreograph a dance! You can have it be a surprise dance that is just between you and your spouse, or a funky flash mob with your wedding party. Another option is posting a few simple moves on a private YouTube channel that you can then share with your family and friends, so they can decide if they want to join in on the groovy moves. The architecture of the venue is also important; look for staircases, balconies, and back entrances that can help make your entrance dramatic and noteworthy!

3. Make An Exit (Sort of)
I have been to several weddings where the reception went so long that by the time the grand exit came around only a handful of people were present to send off the bride and groom. A fake exit—leaving the reception after a decent amount of mingling and dancing, only to return back to the party after circling the blocks a few times—is a clever and accommodating fix to this dilemma, as it gives the older guests the chance to send you off and still get home at a reasonable hour, while allowing the two of you to party the night away with the guests that choose to stay later. But just because you have a fake exit doesn’t mean that you can’t go out in style! Get creative with how you are sent-off as a newly married couple. Did you meet in college? Maybe there is a college chant that everyone can participate in before you leave. Sparklers add a magical touch, as do flower petals. Have guests write words of positivity and love on pieces of paper that they can then toss to you and your loved one. Choosing how you exit can also be a fun and creative process. A white horse-drawn carriage is romantic, or maybe a motorcycle or a vintage pickup truck is more your style. I went to a reception where the bride and groom rode off in a vintage fire-truck, ringing the bell the whole way out. It was adorable and feisty, just like the couple.

The most memorable and enjoyable receptions are the ones that really reflect the personality of the couple. It is, after all, a celebration of your union and the unique love you share. Filling the reception with memories, jokes, stories, and photographs will give the guests a peak into who are you are a duo, and will enhance your evening with your spouse—dancing the night away in a celebration that is a visual representation of your love.