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Make Your Own New Wedding Traditions

Inspiration, Wedding Ideas, Wedding PlanningWedding Creativo Photography

Just one dilemma facing modern couples today is their internal debate whether to embrace or reject traditional notions of weddings, and marriage for that matter.  While there really is no right or wrong answer in this decision, many couples ultimately approach planning their weddings as a way to share their styles, personalities and beliefs with their families and friends.  But, that can sometimes be easier said than done.

Couples can look at their wedding as an opportunity to give everyone a deeper insight into who they are now as adults starting married life together.  It is likely that there may be some relatives and possibly friends that have not been seen since childhood or school years, and perhaps don't know much about who you are now and what interests, goals and beliefs brought you together as a couple. When else are you going to have the undivided attention of so many people in one place? So put some personality into those wedding plans.

Wedding traditions have been around for decades that basically give couples a road map for planning. However, if you have issues with some traditional customs or are just looking for fresh ideas, the suggestions below might help.  These ideas are inspired by some of the most memorable weddings we have experienced as photographers over the past decade. 

Five traditional wedding customs and suggested alternatives:

  • Tradition 1: Matching formal attire with grand gowns and tuxedos
  • Modern Idea: Having bridesmaids wear unique dresses has become more common over the last couple of years, but perhaps consider taking this a step further so more people (groomsmen specifically) can get in on the fun. We loved the period-fashion theme weddings we've seen including: a Great Gatsby 1920s style flapper wedding, a 1940s style wedding with groomsmen wearing white tuxedo jackets, and a 1950s sweet summer casual wedding where the bride and bridesmaids wore short party dresses and the groomsmen wore cool seersucker suits with Chuck Taylor All-Stars sneakers.

  • Tradition 2: Formal reception dinner with typical wedding customs
  • Modern Idea: If you rather create a different vibe for your reception than just the traditional dinner, cake cutting, and dancing, you may want to try a an entirely different approach, or incorporating a different "party style" along with the basic reception traditions.  Cocktail style receptions have been increasing in the last few years, with more of a mingling party atmosphere instead of a formal sit-down dinner.  You could also incorporate festive party themes or activities such as Hawaiian Luau, live karaoke or talent show, a 1920s/30s vice room for poker or other parlor games, or any favorite recreation that you enjoy and that expresses your interests.  One of our couples transformed their reception into a Venetian masquerade ball by hiding a variety of Venetian masks under guests' chairs and surprising them with an announcement by the groom when it was time to open the dance floor.

  • Tradition 3: Bouquet and garter toss
  • Modern Idea: Many couples don't feel comfortable including these traditions any more for various reasons.  However, you can modify this and still keep your guests engaged without the groom having to climb under the bride's dress.  You can still give away the bouquet, table centerpieces or other fun prizes with alternative fun activities.  Many couples enjoy doing the anniversary dance where the longest married couple remaining on the dance floor wins the bouquet. We've also seen live auctions with prizes going to the highest bidder (this can also be a fun alternative to the dollar dance), and especially cool if you have a relative or friend who is a professional livestock or art auctioneer that can wow your guests. Instead of all pulling the single people on the dance floor, gather all of the kids for a stuffed animal toss.  Finally, we think it would be fun to involve all of your guests in a big game of Bingo during dinner service.

Order your personalized version of this card on the Wedding Creativo Etsy Store!

  • Tradition 4: Following traditions only of your culture
  • Modern Idea: Many couples these days come from diverse backgrounds and faiths, so it is fairly common to see traditions from different cultures or religions being combined at weddings. However, some couples have liked what they have seen at a friend's wedding, and even if it is not part of their family background they have made other cultural ideas part of their own ceremony or reception. Eastern cultures including South Asian / Indian have unique three-day weddings and different rituals compared to Western weddings. Consider researching weddings from countries or cultures different from your own, and what meanings they have, and perhaps you can "borrow" an idea from another culture if it better expresses your personalities or beliefs.

  • Tradition 5: Not seeing each other before the ceremony
  • Modern Idea: Several of our couples have incorporated a special pre-ceremony "first-see" moment and outdoors tour for creative portraiture. By scheduling an hour or two with us before the ceremony, we have been able to capture some absolutely stunning moments with couples in settings from urban alleyways to floral parks, and everything in between. Couples that do this often feel more relaxed throughout the day and also realize they get to see each other "for the first time" twice: first a private moment together, and again at the ceremony with their guests.

Whether you decide to go traditional or not, your wedding will be best remembered by your unique personal expressions.

Article by Sarah Toulouse Wedding Creativo Photography.

 

 

Alternative Wedding Registries for Modern Newlyweds

Wedding Ideas, Wedding PlanningWedding Creativo Photography

Many couples already have their domestic essentials, but still need the support of family and friends after the wedding.  Here are several suggestions for alternative registries and gift ideas for modern newlyweds that don't need another toaster or crock pot.

Cultural / Entertainment:

Chicago Art Institute of Chicago Gift Membership

Steppenwolf Theater Gift Certificate

Chicago Theater / Broadway in Chicago Gift Certificate

AMC Movie Theater Gift Cards

iTunes gift certificates

  Apple iTunes

Food and Drink:

Chicago's own Foodie Registry

Mr. Beer Brewing Kit

Wine Enthusiast Gift Registry

Honeymoon: 

Honeyfund Registry

Honeymoon Wishes Registry

Charitable Giving:

I Do Foundation

Changing the Present

Green / Environmental / Sustainable / Free Trade Registries:

Alternative Gift Registry

Living Green Wedding Registry

Green Feet

Uncommon Goods Gift Registry icon

   

The Other Green -- Cash:

Deposit A Gift 

Our Wishing Well

Real Estate:

Down Payment Dreams Registry

Feather Our Nest

 

Wellness / Health / Sports:

REI Registry

Time To Spa Gift Card icon

Gaiam.com Gift Certificate icon

Home Improvement / Gadgets:

Organize.com Registry

Home Depot Gift Card

Sharper Image Gift Certificate icon

 Books:

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Sweet Ways to Say Thank You

Inspiration, Wedding Ideas, Wedding PlanningWedding Creativo Photography

Guests often appreciate a special treat waiting for them on reception dinner tables. There are many kinds of favors that can be given to guests, but here are a few sweet ideas to also say "thank you" with your guest gifts. 

These chocolate chip cookies have golden thanks across the bottom side layer of chocolate.  If you prefer something a little more formal, the message can be in the form of a chocolate greeting card.

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A personalized message is always a nice touch, and here are a couple ways to incorporate your thank you message, along with your names and wedding date with fortune cookies, personalized M&Ms or other chocolate candies.

iconClear Favor Bag of Personalized M&M'S with Ribbon Elegant Lace Favor Bag of Personalized M&M'S

Five trend predictions for 2011 weddings

Wedding Fashion, Wedding Ideas, Wedding PlanningWedding Creativo Photography

While we always encourage couples to follow their hearts over trends when it comes to making wedding planning decisions, it doesn't hurt to see if some of the popular trends offer something to compliment your own great ideas.

Here is the buzz on five trends we think will be spotted at weddings in 2011.

1. Hot pink hues in honeysuckle, hibiscus, and fuchsia will keep fashions and themes flushed with bold and bright color.

2. Along with the fashion colors, it is likely that actual honeysuckle, hibiscus and peony flowers will also be prevalent in bouquets and decor.

 

3. Large flowers are making more appearances as single-flower "bouquets."   Big blooms such as a stargazer lily or sunflower can take the starring role as a single flower, but also crafty artisans have been making single-flower fabric inspirations for brides to carry, such as this one on the right from Petal and Print.

 

4. Grays have been making a strong appearance in bridesmaid dresses, shoes, grooms suits and wedding decor for about two years now, and since it works great as a base to make other more subtle colors stand out like lavender, pale yellow and light pink, we're sure to continue to see hues of pewter, slate and smoky grays in 2011.

 

5. With the entire last century as inspiration, it is no wonder that vintage wedding styles have been so strong over the last few years.  With the popularity of the hit TV show Boardwalk Empire, it seems the roaring 1920s and 1930s of the Prohibition era may have a turn at bringing vintage weddings under the influence in 2011. Look for fellas with Fedora hatsjewlery with Art Deco flair, and possibly even separate vice lounges at receptions where some guests may partake in poker games, cigar smoking, glasses of whiskey and other decadent indulgences. Hopefully guests won't forget that the bride and groom's parents will be in the next room.

    

Wedding Fashion Inspiration: Audrey Hepburn

Inspiration, Wedding Fashion, Wedding IdeasWedding Creativo Photography

Fashion icon Audrey Hepburn loved a clean style that emphasized her tall and slim figure.  She could wear anything and make it stylish and classy. 

While most women know the value of having at least one "little black dress" in their closet, the one made famous by Hepburn's Holly Golightly character in “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” sold at Christie's London for a record-breaking $923,187.  It was the highest selling auction ever for a movie dress.

Don’t have that kind of cash lying around?  Etsy.com has dozens of Audrey Hepburn inspired items for any bride's budget including vintage style "little black" dress, pearl neclaces and wedding details styled after Hepburns famous movies such as Breakfast at Tiffany's and Sabrina.  Decades after her heyday, Hepburn still inspires fashion today, from independent and big name designers to Hollywood's current generation of starlets. Natalie Portman payed homage to Hepburn on the cover of the November 2006 issue of Harper’s Bazaar.  

We collected these Audrey Hepburn wedding finds on Etsy.com:

When it came to wedding dresses, Hepburn was equally inspirational in white as she was in black.  Whether in film or real life, Hepburn always looked smashing as a bride. The wedding dress below to the left was when Audrey Hepburn was only 23.  The next two images are from her marriage to Mel Ferrer, and the last one from her marriage to Andrea Dotti.

 

 

 

 

 

 

On the silver screen, she wore dresses made by fashion royalty such as French designer Givenchy, in films including Roman Holiday (1953), Sabrina (1954), Funny Face (1957), and My Fair Lady (1964).

 

 Audrey Hepburn defines classic style and beauty that is forever timeless.  In life she was a beautiful person on the inside too, known for her generous work as an International Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF, a job she did for the salary of $1 a year.  She will always be a favorite inspiration for style and humanity.

Audrey Hepburn Inspired Finds: