Wedding receptions have traditions just like the rehearsal and the wedding ceremony. You can still adhere to some of these traditions, and also do some special things to make the reception unique and memorable for years to come.
Reminiscing with the Married Couple
Want an alternative to wedding guests to "clink" the glasses for the bride and groom to kiss? Then try this unique reception idea. Tell your guests that someone will need to stand and tell the assemblage about a memory or story about either the groom or bride. Once people start to reminisce you will find that many will start to laugh and fondly remember the good times.
Pictures for the Guests
Have someone take pictures of the wedding guests as they arrive at the reception by using an instant camera. After the reception, both the bride and groom should sign each photo, add the date, and include a short word of thanks. Mail the pictures to the guests along with your thank-you cards.
Making the Couple a Star Attraction
How about a wedding gift that is truly unique and inspiring; something that, when announced to your reception guests, is sure to elicit a chorus of "oohs" and "ahhs" with dreamy looks all around from the women? Have a star named after your new spouse. Yes a real star in the heavens. You will receive a parchment like certificate of authenticity either framed or unframed, which will give the co-ordinates of the star. You will be sent a booklet with a chart of the constellations and a larger chart that shows your star circled and identified. The cost is as low as $19.
Floral Sprays for Mom
Have the florist design two detachable floral sprays into the bride's bouquet. After the father walks the bride down the aisle and is ready to take his seat, remove one of the sprays from the bouquet and hand it to him with a kiss. Forewarn him that when he takes his seat next to the bride’s mother, he is to present this mini bouquet to the bride’s mother.
At the end of the ceremony the bride should stop at the pew where the mother-in-law is seated and present her with the second special spray from the bridal bouquet along with a kiss. Don’t let the mothers know ahead of time; it is the element of surprise that adds to the tenderness of the moment. Then the mothers will be able to show off the flowers at the reception!
Unity Candles at the Reception
For an unique experience which can have a long lasting meaning, have a small unity candle placed at each table at the reception then have the guests light the candle from a large unity candle that is placed at the bridal table. This invites your guests to become a special memory at your wedding.
Unique Guest Signatures
As an alternative to the traditional guest book, have a large stretched canvas for your guests to sign. After the wedding this is something you can have framed and placed in the entranceway of your home as a unique memory of your wedding.
Planting Memories of the Wedding Day
Instead of everyday wrapped candies or useless little trinkets that are eventually eaten or lost, how about something that is both inexpensive, useful, and long-lasting? There are companies that make beautiful handmade paper cards that contain flower seeds embedded directly into the paper. The guests can literally plant the entire card in a pot or their garden and have a long lasting beautiful memory of that special day.
Each card comes complete with the type of plant enclosed and a set of instructions as to how and where to plant the seeded card. These cards will make a very special remembrance for a very special day in your life. Later when you visit the friend or guest’s house they can show you the plant that you gave them.
It doesn’t take a lot of time or effort to come up with unique ideas for the wedding reception. When they are used, they create memories that last a lifetime!
