I hear so many people say that their dog or cat is more than just a pet—they are part of the family. Well, for those engaged couples looking for a way to include Fluffy and Fido in the wedding ceremony, here’s an idea for your consideration: make them your ring bearer and flower girl.

No kidding! I saw this idea in a popular craft store to make your pet part of your wedding decorations. Now you can purchase “costumes” for your dog to be the ring bearer and your cat to be the flower girl.

The dog costume is a tuxedo “bib” that ties around the dog’s neck, complete with four French cuffs. The pillow is tied around the dog’s midsection so that it sits level on his back. The flower girl costume is a frilly pink headband, tutu, and a basket for the flower petals that hangs around the neck. These are purrfect (sorry—couldn’t help myself) for those brides and grooms who truly consider their pets part of their family and want to include them in their wedding ceremony.

You may want to consider this idea for getting your pets safely down the aisle: have a traditional flower girl and ring bearer pull child-sized wagons loaded with the pets so that they reach their destination safely and in a timely way. The wagons can be decorated with tulle, fabric, ribbons and flowers to match your wedding decorations so your pooch or kitty can enter in proper wedding style.

So think about making your best friend part of you big day!

This wedding planning ceremony idea was brought to you by weddingandpartynetwork.com.

Having guests sign a guest book upon arriving at your ceremony or reception is a traditional way of recording who attended your wedding. But even the best tradition deserves some updating. Consider these ideas for a fresh way to record who attends your wedding while making it part of your wedding decorations:

Purchase a picture frame mat and several good quality black ink pens. A 16’ x 20’ mat is a good size and will hold an 11’ x 14’ photograph. Consider using an engagement photo or any photo of the bride and groom. Display the matted photo on an easel with a sign directing guests to sign their names and include a brief note, if they wish. Using the picture mat as a wedding decoration that welcomes your guests and as a guest book is a great way to set the tone for your wedding.

Purchase or make 3’ x 5’ cards on white or colored cardstock. Lay stacks of cards out on a table, along with an empty container that coordinates with your wedding decorations—a basket, a crystal bowl, etc.—along with good quality black ink pens. Have your guest table attendant (or a simple sign) encourage guests to write a brief wish and sign their names to a piece of cardstock. When they finish, they drop the card in the empty container. You can decorate the table along the theme of your wedding for a cohesive wedding decoration. You can arrange these cards in your wedding album as special reminders of those who attended and their well wishes.

Wedding receptions typically end with the bride and groom leaving under a shower of rice, birdseed or bubbles. But why not do something over-the-top that you and your guests will never forget? Imagine the feeling of running hand-in-hand with your new husband through hundreds or thousands of butterflies in flight. Imagine the delight of your guests as they watch them rise in the air and flutter all around.

While a butterfly release may be a little more costly than birdseed or bubbles, the impact is definitely bigger and unforgettable. Keep the butterfly release a surprise—even from your bridal party—and watch the surprised looks on their faces as the surprise unfolds. You could even "tease" your guests by using the symbolic butterfly on your wedding program, invitations, wedding cake, and reception flowers as a hint of what is to come.

Many brides and grooms put so much focus on their entrances to the ceremony and reception, but spend little effort thinking about their exit from the reception. A butterfly release is a surprising way to leave you and your guests feeling uplifted, encouraged and hopeful about the future. As a butterfly in flight symbolizes new beginnings, so do weddings and this is a great way to add an exclamation point to your wedding day.

Your wedding is a great time to honor people who have had a major impact on your life. While it’s true the focus should be on the bride and groom, none of us would be where we are without the help and inspiration of others. Consider honoring parents or grandparents who have been married many years by using candles as a wedding decoration.

My parents had been married 52 years and my fiance’s parents had been married 48 years when we got married. To thank them for the example they had been to us, we used 100 white candles of various shapes and sizes as a backdrop to our wedding ceremony. We used crisp white tablecloths on tables that would accommodate that number of candles, and we explained what the candles represented in our wedding program.

It was very meaningful to us, especially during the ceremony, as we spoke our vows and committed ourselves to one another. We found encouragement that those before us had made the same commitments and had honored those over time. And we were able to show gratitude to our parents for their commitments to one another. This would also be a great way to honor a family member or friend who has passed away. Instead of letting that person’s absence sadden you, having a tangible way of remembering and honoring them as part of the ceremony is a great way to keep focused on the joy of your wedding day.

I have always loved intimate weddings and wedding receptions, especially those where candles are used in the wedding and table decorations. Candles are very simple and inexpensive decorations which create, not only beautiful décor, but generate an atmosphere that no other resource can – the glow of romance. Magnificent wedding decorations can be effortlessly achieved by candles and flowers alone. There is nothing more beautiful than simplicity in my book and the combination of flowers and candles captures it perfectly.

Creating Simplistic Wedding Decorations With Flowers and Candles
Fresh greenery and candles create a natural air of romance ideal for wedding ceremonies and Read the rest of Glowing Wedding Decoration Ideas »

Outdoor Wedding Ideas

For many brides, an outdoor wedding is the dream of a lifetime. So, when planning an outdoor wedding, choosing the right location is critical. And, of course, no outdoor wedding is complete without "A Bad Weather Plan B". Even though you picture a perfect day, the weather may not co-operate and last minute plans may have to be put in place.

When considering a location for an outdoor wedding, you may also want to think about the reception. Do you plan to have only the wedding outdoors, or do you plan to have both the wedding ceremony and the reception outdoors? What are your outdoor wedding ideas? Do you picture your wedding on a beach, by a stream, in a park, a garden, a country inn, a golf course, a historic estate, a scenic landmark, or in the backyard?

Before planning an outdoor wedding discuss the advantages and disadvantages with your wedding planner. Great sources for outdoor wedding ideas are Read the rest of OUTDOOR WEDDING IDEAS »