When planning my own wedding, I'd searched for ideas to make my wedding as special as possible. For most of Vietnamese weddings I've attended, there were not much personalization in the event. All the weddings were similar to each other. I wanted my wedding different from those. And so I had used some of these ideas for my wedding in the US.
-Make your wedding program more substantial, more of a booklet and keepsake. Include messages to each of the guests (one liners or two) and explanations of why you chose your flowers, readings, colors, music, etc. If your wedding is held in a unique place, give some information about it too and why you chose it.
-An idea for the wedding programs is to describe the meaning of some of the songs used during your wedding and or reception; it could be for a sentimental reason (like the song on your first date). Or a song could have been a way to just describe any thing done by the both of you (maybe the both of you were in the Navy together and you are playing Anchors Aweigh). It gives a more personal feel to the reception and a lot of people don't understand the meaning behind so many traditions or your personal meaning or reason for doing it.
-Have you ever thought of creating a "Wedding Newsletter" to have someone pass out at the reception. It could have info on how the both of you met, a few paragraphs of both parents and grandparents (if not alive a little tribute to them) wedding party backgrounds, honeymoon details (not too detailed though), where you plan to live, wedding trivia, etc and more importantly a "Thank You" for all who have attended.
-Have guests send the reply card with a favorite love/romantic quote.
-Make sure to carry powder with you. Many people have complained that when they got their wedding pictures back, there faces were shiny. So, carry some pressed powder with you for those picture perfect moments. Also for eyes, a good pick me up is white eyeliner on the bottom rim of your eye, it's an old model's trick that opens the eyes up more. Purse.
-Place various photos on the cake table, such as your parents wedding photo, your grandparents' wedding photo, and a picture of you as a little girl and a picture of your spouse to be a little boy all in nice frames. It's a nice touch, and added interest and sense of history and family tradition.
-During your wedding ceremony, you will have many guests of varying religions in attendance. Before the ceremony begins, have your ushers hand out your wedding programs wherein it describes each of your religious wedding customs. That way, your guests can understand and fully appreciate the significance of the day's events.
-If you are having a fall/Autumn wedding a different idea for a wedding favor for your guest is to present each guest a dried fall leaf in a picture frame, with your names and wedding date written on the leaf. What better way to capture the essence of the season?
-At the end of the reception/church and prior to you leaving for your honeymoon, have 4-6 large wicker baskets filled with fresh rose petals in shades of red/pink or whatever color you choose and have the baskets accessible to your guests. Everyone can take handfuls and shower the both of you upon leaving the reception. It will make your departing pictures extremely colorful.....absolutely beautiful as the both of you run to your car with the colorful rose petals falling upon you.....
-You can also select someone to be in charge of the guest book and gifts at the wedding and reception. Have them scotch tape all cards onto the gift immediately!
-Wishes Galore: When you send out your invitations to your guest also send a blank card where your guest are also invited to fill out, add their names and make a wish for you and your fiancé. They then can bring that card with them to the wedding and at the reception they can drop it into a "Jar of Wishes".
-Make sure you're prepared for emergencies on your wedding day; take along a purse or bag containing items such as Band-Aids, clear nail polish, needle and thread, aspirin, an extra pair of hose, and other things that might come in helpful in a pinch. Give them to a bridesmaid to hold for you.
-When you address your wedding invitations, try to avoid using "and guest" when you can. If you don't know the name of the person coming with your invited guest, then call the person who will be receiving the invitation and ask what name should be used on the invitation. If you can't find out, go ahead and use 'guest.' The personalization and thoughtfulness of finding the name will make your invitation extra special.
-Here is a sweet idea for all of your guest tables, scatter Hershey Kisses and hugs around the table.
-Let's see who really wants to see you kiss at the reception. Have it announced by either the MC, DJ or band leader that the only way everyone will see the Bride & Groom kiss is to either sing 1 verse of a "love serenade".. or recite a poem with love in it. It's a different twist that will bring both humor and maybe tears of joy but also a kiss from Bride to Groom.
(I'd collected these ideas through many different sources, magazines, internet, ... so I don't remember where these ideas came from, not that I don't want to cite the sources...)
