While it’s customary for guests to bring gifts to the wedding, it seems by the time the wedding takes place, the bride and groom have received most of the gifts from their registry. What many couples just starting out need, especially in this economy, is money. There is an old tradition—at least in the South where I’m from—of giving the bride and groom a “money tree” at their wedding reception.

Now, this can be accomplished in many ways, but the basic idea is to have a table specifically set aside at the reception with a “tree” on it—usually a large branch—that is in the center of the table. Paper clips and small envelopes are provided so guests can clip their bills or envelopes to the tree. By the end of the reception, the tree is filled with monetary gifts to help the couple as they begin their life together.

The money tree can be a decorative focal point at the reception. The branch can be placed in a large container, weighted down with rocks and covered with moss. The branch could be sprayed white or silver, and you could even put mini white lights on it for a beautiful effect. If you’re having a wedding near the holidays, a miniature Christmas tree would work great.

I think this is an especially helpful idea if the couple has just purchased their first home. Gifts from the money tree could actually pay their first month’s mortgage.

This traditional wedding reception idea was brought to you by weddingandpartynetwork.com, your number 1 source for wedding planning.

We all know that it’s traditional to light a unity candle at the wedding but have you ever thought of encouraging a different tradition? Start a wedding tradition among your friends and family by opting to create a mixed sand arrangement instead.

My family recently gathered in Fort Wayne, Indiana for my cousin’s wedding. Though I was absent, this story made it all the way down to me and surprisingly fast. Instead of lighting a unity candle, Jason and Dana instead poured sand into a tall glass vase. Since her wedding colors were turquoise and white, they chose two shades of blue and poured the sand in at the same time. The result was beautiful.

A unity candle flickers like an eternal flame representing the love of the bride and groom. Something like a sand candle (wicks can be inserted) or sand arrangement is a unique symbol of unity stronger than most others. The crystal of sand, like tiny pieces of their hearts and lives, come together and form something beautiful and respectful. Each crystal of sand resides beside a crystal of sand that represents their new husband or wife. Lives converge. Feelings, thoughts, emotions, and daily life all become one precious thing now. Such is the representation in a sand filled vase.

If you’re looking to truly personalize your wedding, try something unique like this as an alternative to lighting the unity candle. When you view the sand in the vase every day in your home it will be a constant reminder of the precious, wonderful things you cherish together.

I recently watched a children’s program with my toddler where a little boy asked why his mommy stripped all the leaves from the flowers his daddy gave her. He thought the leaves were the best part of the flower.

It made me think about fall leaves and how their colors are the best part of autumn. Nature offers such beauty—why not use it for wedding decorations? Using the natural hues (gold, russet, burgundy, and mocha) of fall leaves makes a gorgeous decorating theme. Think about it! With brown being the new black, mocha colored for bridesmaid dresses (especially in silk) set the stage for a rich earthy essence that can carry through to the wedding decorations.

Bridesmaids could carry flower bouquets in an array of fall colors tied with chocolate silk ribbon and a few fall leaves tucked in—how elegant! The pew flowers could be all one color—maybe chrysanthemums—with leaves and raffia ribbon. A lavish combination of rich fall-colored flowers with willow twigs could complete the altar flower decorations. Rather than the flower girl dropping petals, she could scatter fall leaves down the aisle before the bride’s entrance. The warm glow of candles (in fall colors) grouped in various sizes at the altar will create a stunning backdrop for pictures.

Using nature’s hues and fall leaves is a theme easily incorporated into all aspects of your wedding from your wedding program to wedding reception decorations and wedding favors. It even lends itself to eco-friendly weddings where couples give seedling trees as favors so guests can take them home, plant them, and have a lasting memento of their wedding day.

So take a clue from nature and work fall hues into your wedding decorations.

Most everyone has seen the recent video clip of the wedding party making their entrance to the wedding ceremony by dancing down the aisle—very creative and funny!

However, for those not quite that bold, I thought this would be a great way for the wedding party to make their entrance at the wedding reception. Most receptions begin with the wedding party introductions. Each member of the wedding party could enter the reception dancing. Or the wedding party could enter the reception with a choreographed dance. This is actually a rising trend in wedding receptions. Naturally, the bride and groom would be the last to enter, which could flow right into their first dance.

I think this is a great way to kick off the wedding reception giving the guests a great view of the newlyweds with a little wedding reception entertainment to boot.

One of my favorite songs is the classic “At Last.” I can see that being a perfect “first dance” song, but any song that is meaningful to the bride and groom would work well. After the first dance, the bride and groom could proceed to cutting the cake or greeting guests, and then continue with the father/daughter and mother/son dances. I’ve attended receptions where the official dancing didn’t start until the reception was well underway, and I really like this idea of starting the reception with some upbeat, celebratory music.

What is a wedding without airy pure flowers or a blushing bride carrying a stunning bouquet? Plain. Boring. Bridal bouquets are one of the most important flowers when it comes to weddings.  Whether its just a simple white or exotic colored bouquet, flowers add more lively colors and style to any wedding. After viewing some wedding bouquet pictures from the Wedding And Party Network photo gallery I found 5 bouquets I really liked which are:

# 5 Radiant Pink Rose Bud and Ivory Rose Wedding Bouquet
For traditional romantic ceremonies a soft pink rose and ivory rose bouquet is just perfect! The soft cream colors and white pale roses give the sense of innocence which is why I believe these colors are chosen when it comes to traditional romantic wedding bouquets and also why this lovely bouquet made it on my top 5! This wedding bouquet was submitted by Alma Blooms, an Alma Wisconsin florist.

#4 A Richly Textured Coral And Fuchsia Pink Wedding Bouquet
What a vivid pink wedding bouquet! What I believe makes this wedding bouquet the perfect wedding accessory for any bride are all the various shades of pink. Whether its the light pinks or dark pinks you may prefer best, this bouquet has a mixture of all so it wont disappoint. Pink is my favorite color which is why I’m not disappointed and why this wedding bouquet could not be left off my top list. This wedding bouquet was submitted by Dills Floral Haven Inc, a Belleville Illinois florist.

#3 Ivory Bridal Bouquet With Pearl Beads
With white roses, white hydrangeas, and white gardenias all blending in, the perfect wedding bouquet is created. A elegant wedding bouquet that is sure to make any lucky bride gleam at her wedding ceremony. And a wedding bouquet that is sure to make the list for my top wedding bouquets. This wedding bouquet was submitted by Apple Blossoms Floral Design, a Tampa Florida florist.

# 2 The Bride & Groom With an Elegant Wedding Bouquet
This happens to be one of my most favorite wedding bouquet on this list. The combination of red, white, and pale roses looks prominent against the brides alluring gown. The rose does symbolize ”I Love You” , so using this particular flower in a bouquet is the perfect choice for any wedding, and also the perfect choice for the number 2 spot on my list. This wedding bouquet was submitted by Amazing Images Photography, a Hesperia California photographer.

#1 Cotton Candy Pink & Ivory Rose Bouquet
Yes, here it is my number one wedding bouquet pick! I bet your wondering why. The overall beauty and elegance of this bouquet is what really catches my eye! With light pink cotton candy and ivory colored  roses, it fits just perfect in the hands of this stunning bride. The bouquet brings out the dark skin tones of her skin making her look even more beautiful. Which is why this stunning wedding bouquet was my number one pick! This wedding bouquet was submitted by Monday Morning Flowers & Balloon Co, a Princeton New Jersey florist.

Personalized weddings are the way to go it seems, at least that was the case for my cousin and his new bride. Jason and Dana’s wedding in Fort Wayne Indiana was everything that I would expect from them and more. They chose a lot of unique twists on older wedding traditions and it came together beautifully in the biggest family event in over a decade.

Jason and Dana decided to have their wedding officiant turn his back to the wedding guests and face only the bride and groom. This way, everyone in the church was looking at them–their special day. I’d never seen it before and was very surprised when I heard that it had been done this way. Kudos to Jason and Dana though because this was just the first thing they did to personalize their wedding.

I wonder at which point during the wedding planning that my cousins decided to shake things up a bit. Knowing Jason, that much wasn’t surprising. Knowing the kind of woman it would take to make the other half of a happy couple, it wasn’t that surprising of Dana. Still, I was taken aback by it in the best of ways.

Personalized weddings are huge now and this is just one way that modern brides can put a unique spin on their weddings, truly turning the wedding into a day all about the couple.

When you’re planning your wedding, consider asking your wedding officiant to face you instead with his back to the guests. It’s a bit out of the ordinary but that’s precisely what makes it so cool.

Common Interest Creates A Wedding Theme

I know a great couple who both absolutely love Mickey Mouse. He was an illustrator and she was a school teacher. They both were very young at heart, so when it came time to decorate for their wedding, they couldn’t resist including their favorite character in the decorations.

Their arch was decorated with flowers and in the center, the flowers were in the shape of Mickey Mouse. They had theme stickers subtly hidden on candelabras, in flower arrangements and other decorations. Their bridesmaids and groomsmen had Mickey Mouse stickers included in their bouquets and boutonnieres.  Mickey was every where. It worked for this couple’s wedding. I think it’s an idea that would work for others, who share a love of the same hobby, sports team, etc.

Making Your Common Interest Theme Work For Your Wedding

Let’s say you and your hubby-to-be are St. Louis Cardinal fans. You could incorporate a small red cardinal bird (that you can find at craft stores) in flower arrangements, pew bows, arches, on candelabras, on the flower girl’s basket—anywhere! It can be done in a very tasteful way. Being subtle is the key.

If you wanted to have some fun with it, you could tell your guests (maybe through the wedding program) how many birds representing your love of the Cardinals are in the decorations. See who can find the most. At the wedding reception, you could poll everyone to see who found the most and give a nice gift to that guest. No matter what the common interest, you can use it to reflect your unique style through your wedding decorations.

Recently, I heard of an elementary school teacher who was getting married and invited her class of first graders to the wedding. She not only invited them, but she made sure they would enjoy the wedding reception, too.

She went all out on a special food table filled with some really creative foods that kids enjoy. There were heart-shaped peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, fruit roll-ups lined up like soldiers on a silver platter, a fruit centerpiece filled with fun-shaped melons, apple and orange slices, strawberries and grape kebabs. There were also kid-friendly chicken nuggets with a variety of dipping sauces, and ants on a log (celery sticks smeared with peanut butter with raisins on top). A local bakery had made schoolhouse shaped cookies decorated with icing for a sweet treat. She even had small cartons of milk on ice in a silver punch bowl.

But she didn’t stop there. There were tables specifically for the students and their parents to sit, decorated with their school colors—green and gold. Wedding favors were at each place and included pencils, crayons, notepads and other school supplies wrapped up in cellophane bags tied with green and gold ribbons.

It struck me how much this teacher had really thought of her students and wanted them to have fun and feel welcome on her most special day. I’m sure each of those children will never forget that teacher or her wedding day.

I’ve been to many weddings where the wedding begins with an endless PowerPoint presentation depicting the lives of the bride and groom from infancy. Now, don’t get me wrong, I love a trip down memory lane, but it seems to start the wedding off on a “down” note.

I think it would be a great alternative to choose 10-20 photos of the bride and groom, frame them, and use them as a wedding decoration at the entrance to the wedding. It would accomplish the same purpose (without all the tissues!) by giving the wedding guests a pictorial trip down memory lane.

For a really clean, contemporary look, you could have all the photos copied in black and white. Then, frame them all in simple, silver frames. These could be different shapes and sizes, but the color would give them uniformity. They could all be placed on a long table covered in a crisp, white tablecloth, so that nothing detracts from the photos themselves. Depending on the style of the wedding, you could choose frames that fit that style for a cohesive look.

I like this idea because it forces the bride and groom to choose the best photos of their lives—the ones that really depict each stage of their lives, rather than just using all their photos to fill up space in a multimedia presentation.

If a PowerPoint presentation is something the bride and groom really want to include, this could be used at the wedding reception, where the atmosphere is more casual and relaxed.

Ask The Celebration Advisor: You probably get this a lot but I just moved to Fort Smith, Arkansas to be closer to my sister who moved here when she got engaged. I’m helping her plan the wedding. We don’t have a clue where to find a bakery that will make her wedding cake quickly. Are there any here? ~ Molly

The Celebration Advisor: Molly, Fort Smith is loaded with incredible wedding cake bakeries! Decide what type of cake you want and the rest is easy as pie…er…wedding cake.

Fort Smith AR bakeries have been making some of the state’s best wedding cakes for as long as anyone can remember. Whether your sister wants a large wedding cake or something smaller, there’s a bakery in Fort Smith for her. If she wants a fun flavor or something whimsical she’s also in luck! If she can dream it, Fort Smith wedding cake bakeries can create it.

Fort Smith is positioned in the part of Arkansas where several major towns are within reach. Even if she has to go outside Fort Smith to somewhere like Bentonville, she’ll be able to find the wedding cake of her dreams.

Just a suggestion, try talking with the future in-laws (if they’ve lived there for a while) about who they think should make the wedding cake. This will be helpful information for your sister, a great way to get you both more involved with her new family, and a fun way to make her new in-laws feel like a part of her wedding. All of this simply from asking where to find Fort Smith’s best wedding cake bakery!