Reading the forums recently it seems some people are planning weddings and looking for ideas. Here are some things to think about. These are not from our wedding – that was way too long ago. But from our daughter’s wedding and other recent weddings.
1. Guests
The number of guests and how to accommodate them all is often an issue. What follows is a good solution.
When our daughter was married they had a garden wedding. The garden did have a marquee available if it was needed, but it was a brilliantly sunny day. I’m sure a lot of prayer helped there. Because of the number of church friends and acquaintances they both had, we sent out two different sets of invitations. One was to the wedding ceremony only plus coffee and cake afterwards. The others, fewer in number, were to ceremony, cake and coffee followed by the formal dinner reception.
2. Cake
Instead of cutting the cake at the reception, they wanted all their friends and acquaintances to share their wedding, so they had coffee and cake at the garden after the ceremony and before the reception. There was quite a long time between the wedding time and the reception, so it gave everyone time over coffee and cake to talk and for the bride and groom to mingle with those who weren’t coming to the reception. By doing it this way it effectively cut the guest list for the reception in half.
Instead of a traditional cake they had a three tiers of cupcakes, including some which were wheat and gluten free appropriately marked. Three lots of friends volunteered to make three different lots of cup cakes which gave variety and kept costs down
3. Bridesmaids
Traditionally the number of bridesmaids used to match the number of groomsmen. Not so any more. Our daughter had three bridesmaids because she had three close friends. The groom only had the best man. The bridesmaids all walked singly down the grass aisle strewn with rose petals to the arch where the wedding was being held.
They all had short satiny dresses of the same color. They were dresses that could be (and have been) worn afterwards to weddings and evenings out. All three were different shapes and colorings. All three looked great in their dresses and they all loved them.
At the reception bridesmaids had their own husband or boyfriend seated at the bridal table with them, rather than being separated as often happens.
Instead of bridesmaids getting up to dance after the bride and groom, it was the bridal couple and then parents of the bride and groom. They checked with both sets of parents first and everyone was happy with it, though Mick and I did go for a few inexpensive dance classes at our local club so we didn’t feel embarrassed on the dance floor. Then everyone joined in. This was done so the bridesmaids never felt uncomfortable and could dance with their own husband or boyfriend.
Please visit these related blogs
A Unique and Memorable Wedding Gift
Quick Wedding Planning Checklist
Kindness Wedding Planning Tips