Wedding Inspiration is Everywhere

It's the difference between A wedding and YOUR wedding– those little meaningful details that, when quietly woven into your day, tie together to create a special feeling or ambience unique to only you. A wedding is not a one-size-fits-all thing; though many parts of a reception and ceremony can seem "standardized" (selecting from limited readings, standard chairs, place settings and linens) there are still ways to personalize your day. 

Let's start with the ceremony. For example, depending on the religious denomination, you may not be allowed to substitute specified/required readings BUT you may be able to add an additional reading– such as a meaningful poem or have a specially selected song play when you walk down the aisle. This may not always be possible, but it does not hurt to ask the priest/minister/pastor who is marrying you if you can make such an personal addition.

Moving on to the reception. Perhaps you want to pay homage to a loved one who has passed, by doing something more than the usual acknowledgment in the program or photograph at the reception.  I have a dear friend, who spent many summers canning homemade jams and pickles with her grandmother, creating treasured memories that I know she cherishes. Because of this, she has always had a penchant for canning jars (aka mason jars, Ball jars) and knew that she would somehow integrate them into her wedding. So what did she do? Use canning jars as her centerpiece vases! Sadly, her grandmother passed before her wedding, but this only further strengthened the meaning behind the jars for both the bride and her family as they all knew their special significance. 

Or maybe you’d like to commemorate a special moment between the two of you as a couple, such as the first time your future husband brought you flowers. Whether they were roses or dandelions, incorporating those flowers into your wedding adds another special meaning. You can highlight the flower on your invitation and paper suite, use it in your bridal bouquet and centerpieces, or maybe give packages of the flower’s seeds as a wedding favor (probably not a good idea if it actually was dandelions).    

And last but not least the food. Gone are the days of the standard wedding food. Take time to customize and create your menu based on foods that you love.  Miniature versions of comfort food favorites such as macaroni & cheese and hamburger sliders are becoming a popular appetizer choice, and are adorable to look at too. Home-style favorites like roasted chicken and pot roast make excellent main courses; especially when served family style with large bowls & platters brought to each table for guests to serve themselves. 

These are just starting points, but the possibilities are truly endless.

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Author Erin Ethier is a shoreline CT resident who writes a daily wedding blog Sparkle & Hay: Inspirations for a Rustic Chic Wedding.