Unique Wedding Ideas to Capture the Imagination

Unless you have the budget to rent your own private island, transform a country club into a wonderland blanketed in pink roses or invite U2 to perform at your wedding, chances are you'll have a pretty standard wedding ceremony and reception. And there's nothing wrong with the classic. But there are countless details you can enhance to keep your wedding from being ordinary. Below are some ideas for turning your wedding into an event to be remembered.

• Having a Safari style wedding? For earthy accents, replace the traditional ring bearer pillow with a shallow wooden bowl. Make sure to line the wooden bowl with fabric or a cushion so rings don't scratch and won't make a rattling noise coming down the aisle. Kente cloth would be a great added touch.
• For a Garden themed or vintage style back yard reception, use large galvanized buckets instead of modern coolers. They will give the party a rustic feel. Simply fill with ice and they are ready to go.
• Looking for a stylish alternative for a guest book? Traditional bound books are easy but not very interesting. A glass urn, large vase or any other large container can be turned into a wish jar. Have plenty of stationary (personalized with your names or monogram) and pens available. Guests can sign in, write a personal message and deposit their wishes. Makes a fun project for after the wedding when you'll want to relive all the wonderful moments of the day.
• Is rain a possibility on the Big Day? Fret not. Have umbrellas available for guests with a little handwritten note or tags saying something like, “A little rain means nothing when you're showered with love”. They'll love the thoughtful touch.
• If you've always pictured your wedding at a winery but unfortunately find it out of your geographic or budgetary reach, do not to worry. Create your own wine county wedding wherever your nuptials take place by treating guests to a wine tasting. Have tables set up with a few bottles of your favorite wines and glasses. Use fresh bunches of grapes as accents on cheese plates. Even have your own winery magnets printed as a souvenir.
• Looking for a fun and inexpensive favor for your winter wonderland wedding? A personalized snow globe featuring a photograph of the happy couple is a sure way to go. During the holidays your guest will always remember your Big Day.
• For guest who like their soup straight up (twist is optional), serve it in shot glasses. For winter weddings, warm up their tummies with a tasty consommé. Guests can sip and mingle at the same time.
• Here's another great alternative to the traditional guest book for all you music lovers. Purchase a couple of your favorite old vinyl records (your favorite song or even the wedding song would be fitting) and have your guest sign them with a metallic gold or silver pen.
• Still wondering how you're going to add the "Something Old" part to your wedding? Have your ring bearer pillow made with fabric from your grandmother's handkerchief or part of your mom's wedding dress. This nod to family history is a classy touch and can be very sentimental.
• Really into Golf? Name your banquet tables after golf courses you've played together or hope to play. Have your guests' names calligraphed on escort cards with the table name written in a different font. For example: Shay Torregano Pebble Beach
• Another cute way to display your escort cards if your having an outside, country reception is to tuck the escort cards into the bark of an old tree. This idea will also work if you're having you reception in a vineyard. If tucking doesn't work, take simple pearl-tipped pins and pin the place cards onto trees.
• Here's a fun and easy way to document all of your wedding guests and keep them entertained at the same time. Set up a portrait station. This idea takes a little bit of planning, but it's a piece of cake. First, make sure you can designate an area at your reception site for the makeshift studio where family and friends will pose for photos in from of a backdrop. You will need a digital camera, tripod and fabric for the background. Optionally, a photo printer, some photo paper, photo cards and double sided tape. Hang the fabric using whatever your setting allows (you may tack it to a wall, hang it from tree branches or from two standing posts). Set the camera on the tripod about 10 feet away from the backdrop. Don't forget to mark off an area on the floor where guest swill stand to stay in frame. Have an attendant snap the pictures, or post instructions for self-timer settings and leave guests to figure it out. If you wish, you may set out your photo printer and photo cards and guests can print out their photo and tape it to a card for a postcard souvenir from your wedding to take home. You can even provide fun props such as big hats, goofy glasses and feather boas.
• Looking for a great alternative for the typical bachelorette party? Forget Las Vegas! Move the party to your own private house boat. Boat rental companies offer a range of sizes, from 44-foot boats ideal for up to four people to 70-foot boats that can sleep up to 12 of your closest girlfriends. What can be better and more relaxing than sipping cocktails on the roof deck? Sun tan lotion optional!
• For a Spanish themed reception, spice things up a bit with a fun alternative to the table number display. You will need some beautiful lace fans and easels. Simple rest your fan on the easel and tuck your table number card in front. Ole!!
• For a truly unique and inexpensive favor that will show your guests how “lucky in love” you are turn to the lotto ticket (only a $1 each)! Insert the lotto ticket with a little note stating the tickets were chosen because “we are so lucky to have our family and friends with us on this special day”. To add a little humor you can also tell them that any winnings must be split with the bride and groom!
• Wish you could keep those wedding day memories with you all year long? During the cocktail hour have a “wedding day quilt” set up for your guest to sign. All you need is a plain quilt and some fabric pens so the ink won't smear or wash off. Every time you cuddle up on the couch it you will remind you of your special day.
• Ever been to a wedding where you wondered how the bridal party was related to the bride and groom? Here is a fun way to keep your guests “in the loop”. In your program, list each person in the wedding party and include a little paragraph about him or her. Share information such as how you know him/her, little known facts or why they are special to you. It will be fun for them to read and give your guests special insight into your friends and family and won't leave them wondering
• Are you planning to have young guests at your wedding reception? Instead of having kids sit with the adults, set up a children's table. Have balloons (in your wedding colors of course) tied to the back of their chairs. This will let them know that this area is designated especially for them. Have little “busy packs” at each place setting. My favorite items for the “busy packs” are coloring books and crayons, small puzzles, activity books and blank paper for drawing. DVD players with the latest Pixar movies are the secret weapon against restless tots.
• Not a big fan of the garter and bouquet tosses? Instead of tossing the bouquet, give a single flower to each single lady at the reception. The flower should be of the same variety as the ones in your bouquet. Pin a poem to the flower as well as wishes for love, success and happiness. There is no reason for only one lady to have all of the fun, this way each of your single friends is given well wishes.
• Instead of rice, bubbles, or anything else people like to throw at the bride and groom, give them a break and light sparklers instead. Line up on either side of the exit and wave the sparklers as the happy couple leave the reception. The bright lights against the dark night make dramatic photos. Make sure to notify the photographer so that he or she may come prepared with the right equipment for capturing such a scene. And check with your venue to make sure it will be safe and legal.
• Here's an idea for the unity candle. Buy a three wick candle, have the parents of the groom light one wick while the parents of the bride are lighting another wick, then have the bride and groom light the remaining wick to unite the families represented. This way everyone is apart of the celebration.
• Looking for a sweet treat that will also double as a favor? Set up a candy bar station at the reception. Have the candy bar stocked with candy that was popular when you were a kid. Use Chinese take out boxes (decorated with personalized labels) or simple favor bags. Guests may fill up their take out boxes with their favorites. And you won't have to lift a finger!
• A personalized favor box can double as both a place card and a favor container. Our favor boxes come flat so it's easy to have each guest's name hand written or calligraphed across the top and even trail down the sides of the lid or around the sides of the box itself. Include the table number to make it an escort card or just the names for a table setting decoration.
• Looking for a modern take on menu presentation? Have the menu printed on sheets of clear acetate and lay a copy on each guest's setting turning dinnerware into dishes that make promises of good things to come.
• Are you planning a spa bachelorette party but hate the tranquil “Quite please” atmosphere? Some companies offer packages that bring the spa to you. They come to your home and transform it into a private treatment space, fully encouraging gabbing during massages and mani-pedi's. They can also line up bartenders, DJs or burlesque instructors to really spice things up!