Unity Candle Alternative -- Sand Vase

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.

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.

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.

Prom Night — What's prom without a limo? A limo is accoutrement as traditional as a corsage. It's almost expected of a young man to hire a limo and driver for his date. After all, what would her prom be without some over-the-top gesture of free will and enthusiasm? Limousine services are definitely on the "must call" list for prom night in Bethlehem!

Wedding Day — You've dreamed of a huge wedding with all of your closest family and friends. Soon the day will arrive and so will you – to the church that is – but in what? If your wedding requires a touch of fantasy, glamour, and affords you a chance to be the center of attention for a while, you need a limo. What a way to celebrate your wedding!

Major Anniversary – She's stuck with you for a while. He's been by your side for ages. Now it's your chance to remind each other what it was like to fall in love. After a few years, time takes a toll and responsibilities set in. Push all of that aside for a night and have a fun evening to yourselves that begins and ends with a limousine ride through the merry streets of Bethlehem. At least, the streets will be merry once you've had a chance to tread on them!

Whatever your occasion, Bethlehem PA limousine services will show you why rockstars and big name celebrities choose no other way to travel. Let your hair down and enjoy a special night in a limousine!

Chicago Weddings Without Horse Drawn Carriages? Unthinkable!

Poppycock! Hooey! Who would ever think to put down the fine tradition of hiring a horse and buggy as their wedding transportation? Horse drawn carriage rides are part of most Chicago brides' romantic fantasies. When it comes time for the wedding, go all out with a horse and carriage!

Put Pep In The Party With Horse Drawn Carriage Rides!

Laugh it up about the thought of arriving at a club-type Chicago party in a horse drawn carriage, but that's not the type of party that needs pep. They have plenty! If you are attending a formal gala, a wedding, a private dinner party or some similar affair, consider Chicago's horse drawn carriage rentals. They may not be as "fancy" as limousines but they have all of the appeal plus the added perks of freshness, originality, and individuality.

You wouldn't want to wear the same outfit as someone else so why use the same party transportation or wedding transportation? Live it up for a night with a horse and carriage ride through Chicago!

Now I grant you that she lives in a suburb of Chicago so it was much easier to imagine a wedding held under a tent. The air was breezy and beautiful which is common in Chicago during the summer and spring. We stood out under this tent that she had rented and had a fabulous time! We danced during the reception and enjoyed some of the finest food I'd ever eaten. Her entire wedding was like a huge party only held under a tent!

She knows how involved I am with Wedding and Party Network so it seemed only natural that our conversation turned to where she got her wedding rentals (the chairs, tables, and chair covers were rented also). I was amazed by how beautiful her wedding was. When asked what her secret was, she listed off the name of a local Chicago wedding rental store. She then said that the clerks at that store, on top of hours and hours of planning, helped tremendously with her wedding planning.

"I'd never considered wedding rentals," she told me. "I'd always thought that you just bought everything but we found out that renting is much more economical and worked perfectly for us. We rented the chairs, their covers, all of the dinnerware and stuff on the table, and even the tables! As far as wedding rentals go, it may not have been the first thing on my mind but it'll be what I recommend for my friends. So when is your wedding again?"

After the laughter subsided, I knew she was right. Wedding rentals in Chicago, especially tent rentals, are GOLD. Renting is the way to go and comes highly recommended by other Chicago area brides.

Whether you're saying 'I do' in your living room, or you're having a backyard wedding, at-home weddings are a challenge. A couple of weeks before our at-home wedding, our neighbor placed a big, honking boatlift on his beach. This wasn't any old boatlift. It was a rickety, rusty eyesore.

Outdoor Wedding Ceremony

I envisioned my guests mingling on the spotless deck, cocktails in hand, a soft breeze from Lake Erie cooling their sun-exposed skin. I pictured sailboats in the distance, a beach free of garbage and smelly dead things and an unobstructed view of Fermi II (that's the nuclear power plant across the lake). I did not forsee a rusty, contraption of a boatlift to be part of the picture.

So, I traipsed on over to my neighbor's house and told him we were getting married and we were having an at-home wedding. And by the way, can you move your boatlift, because it won't look nice in my wedding photos? (The nerve of me!)

Our wedding day came and went, and the boatlift didn't budge. And you know what? It didn't matter. Not a single bit. I did not harbor bad feelings towards my neighbor, and he did not hold my temporary lapse of reason against me. In fact, the day before our wedding, he offered us the use of a wooden platform that we ended up using it as a stage for the Irish band!

Looking back, I can't believe that I was so petty. But that's what planning a wedding can do to you. Even a small wedding. It can make you crazy. Unrecognizable. The evil twin sister you didn't know you had can suddenly rear her ugly head. Heck, there are even TV shows about this kind of thing.

Wooden Bridge & Wedding Flowers

Not only will you be running around like a hen with her head missing trying to cross off the zillion things on your to-do list, you'll also want to make sure your home is extra-tidy, extra-lovely, extra-special for your extra-important big day. And that will take Effort. (Note the capital 'E' for emphasis.)

One of the first things Darin and I did when we decided to have a backyard wedding was head out to a local nursery to load up on flowers, and other bedding plants. In fact, we spent the entire spring and summer landscaping our property, which included planting dozens of flats of impatiens, as well as an assortment of perennials.

Through it all, I discovered a new passion – gardening, and I lost weight without even trying! (Hauling wheelbarrows full of earth day after day will get you in shape pretty fast!)I also discovered that impatiens and a scorching hot summer climate make for a very LARGE water bill.

Garden Pew Markers For Outdoor Wedding

Of course, not all couples planning an at-home wedding spend months fixing up their place. Some people don't lift a finger on home improvements. If that's the case, planning can be a whole lot easier.

However, there are still things to keep in mind if you are planning an at-home wedding.

1. Toilets. It's probably the least romantic thing about your wedding, but it's probably one of the most important. No matter where you decide to have your wedding, you're going to need at least one. If you are having your wedding at home, you might decide that guests can use the washrooms in your home. But after giving it some serious thought, you might change your mind. If you are having an outdoor wedding, do you really want your guests traipsing in and out of your home? Can your plumbing system take the wear and tear? Is it possible that your septic system will be overstressed, causing a plumbing nightmare on the biggest day of your life? (Ever see Meet the Parents?) After doing some research, we discovered that port-a-johns definitely aren't what they used to be. There are new user-friendly models in a variety of colors. Not only are they more pleasing to the eye, they have sinks and flush toilets. Even though they are more expensive, they were definitely worth the splurge.

2. Neighbors. Warn them in advance and give them a heads up closer to the big day. They might even offer up their driveways for parking – or a portable stage! Be extra kind to them as you get close to your wedding day, so that they will put up with potentially high noise levels from your happy wedding guests.

3. Invite your caterer over before the big day so s/he can scope out your kitchen. S/he'll need to know how much space there is to work in – as well as fridge and stove details.

4. If you are doing the outdoor thing, rent a tent. That is, unless you have a huge tolerance for risk. (Which I do not.)

5. Hire a cleaning person to clean your home thoroughly prior to your wedding – not to mention after your big day. Unless of course, you have a lovely friend or relative who has kindly offered to take on this task.

6. Have bug spray handy. Citronella candles might provide ambiance, but they are useless when it comes to fending off hungry 'mossies'.

7. If your guests like to over-imbibe, be prepared: some might want to crash at your house. We had a pretty tame crowd at our wedding, but like any good party, there's a chance this will happen at your wedding. If you're not equipped for sleepovers, be smart and call a cab.

8. Enjoy the journey. Easy for me to say – I got married eight years ago. But, really, try not to sweat the small stuff – like boatlifts.

9. Give yourself a pat on the back for pulling it off. Planning a wedding at home is no small feat, but it's one of the most rewarding things you will accomplish. Raise a glass to yourself – (and to your neighbor) for a job well done!

Christina Friedrichsen is the author of Intimate Weddings: Planning a Small Wedding that Fits Your Budget and Style and owner of IntimateWeddings.com, a website dedicated to small weddings.

A special thanks to:

Photography by memoriesINtime, a Milan MO photographer, for the beautiful photo of a wedding ceremony in front of a lake.

Hollyhock Flowers, a Weare NH florist, who create the fabulous flowers decorating the wooden bridge in the second photo.

Petals-a-Florist, an Atlanta GA florist, who designed the sensational pew markers in the third photo.

Wedding Budget Tip 1:  Avoid The Busy Season

The majority of weddings occur between May and October. In fact, October is the new June. Late fall weddings and winter weddings are beautiful and allow brides to reduce costs by catching vendors and wedding supplies when they're not in great demand!

Also, consider marrying on a Friday or throughout the week. Marrying on a weekday may be less traditional, but it's a fun and unique way to make your ceremony special (and save money!). Weekend weddings are great but reception halls charge the most for Saturday evening weddings. By marrying on a Friday, you'll be able to save on the reception costs, enjoy great options for the ceremony location, and spend a three day weekend with your groom!

Wedding Budget Tip 2:  Pass Up The Dessert Tray

Wedding cakes are a huge reception expense. Since this is the most important piece at the reception, no bride wants to cut it out completely. Instead, opt for a smaller wedding cake. Also consider a cupcake wedding cake. This tasty trend allows guests to enjoy a small portion of the same great flavor. The biggest treat for you? Cupcake cakes usually run about $60 compared to hundreds for a traditional wedding cake.

If a smaller version of your dream cake won't feed everyone, consider having a sheet cake of the same flavor along with your wedding cake. An evening of dancing, drinks and good food doesn't leave much room for dessert. Consider passing up extra dessert options which quickly add up (on the hips as well)!

Wedding Budget Tip 3:  Go Green With The Wedding Flowers

Opt for more greenery in the reception arrangements. Most guests won't know which flowers are in or out of season so trim the cost of your wedding flowers by using more greenery. The wedding ceremony flowers are a beautiful addition to the ceremony but remember that this is where guests spend the least amount of time. Most spend more time at the reception so consider putting the budget emphasis on your wedding reception flowers instead.

Wedding Budget Tip 4: Go Green With The Wedding Invitations

In the age of technology and conservation, eco-friendly wedding invitations are a big perk. If you want to send standard wedding invitations, consider replacing the RSVP cards with a note on the invitation that asks guests to RSVP at your wedding website. Wedding websites will save a ton on less important wedding stationery. (Oh, and invitation liners are unnecessary. You're breaking no etiquette by opting out on these.)

Wedding Budget Tip 5:  Double Up With Wedding Favors

Wedding favors are a must-have for most brides according to traditional wedding etiquette. Wedding favors can be practical and functional though! Consider favors that double as place cards or serve a purpose after the wedding. Personalized bottles of bubbles serves as wedding favors and can be used instead of tossing rice or bird seed after the ceremony.

Wedding Budget Tip 6:  Opt For A Cocktail Reception

This is a good way to glam up your reception without spending lots of money on food and decorations. Waiters carrying trays of hor d'oeuvres is a glamorous look and a frugal choice for brides. Many wedding caterers have their own wait staff, so consider hiring a local caterer with wait staff for a glamorous but easy-on-the-wallet reception.

Wedding Budget Tip 7:  Buy The Music, Not The Band

A band at the wedding is always fun, but consider a single musician or a dj instead. Going this route with wedding reception entertainment will save costs simply because you're paying for one person instead of multiple people.

Wedding Budget Tip 8:  Share The Menus

Instead of giving each guest a menu at the reception, opt for one or two per table. These can look elegant when placed between beautiful table settings or when stood on either side of the table's centerpice. This saves paper and printing costs plus adds to the decor of the table.

Whether it’s Hawaii, Jamaica, or the Bahamas, you could create the feel of a tropical paradise for your wedding day. For a more casual fell wear the same strapless wedding gown you would wear on the beach and let your groom wear an easy, open collar shirt and lightweight slacks. Even go barefoot for a beach-y feel.

Tropical Wedding Fruit Platter

Carry the tropical destination wedding theme over into your wedding reception.  Have your caterer serving tropical fruit platters, pulled pork, Hawaiian Chicken with rice, and pina coladas. Who says you have to spend a small fortune to get married on an island when you can create your own paradise right at home?

A special thanks goes to:

Blue Pagoda & Evolution Orchids LLC, an Englewood FL wedding bouquet florist, for their lovely Cymbidium orchid bouquet picture.

Ann's Bridal & Etcetera, a wedding caterer from Searcy AR, for their scrumptious looking fruit platter photo.

Celebration Advisor: Of course you can find all of that and other great wedding supplies in Calgary AB!

In fact, I know of a few places where you can find theme cakes, wedding cakes and (imagine this) theme wedding cakes in Calgary. For starters, try Cake Creations. They're incredible! Their wedding cakes are elegant regardless of the theme. All you have to do is ask! Theme cakes as well as wedding cakes come in all shapes and sizes so be specific about what you want. Just let your wedding cake bakery know the size, general theme, and amount of people eating the cake and you're good to go!

As far as wedding favors and ideas go, that's greatly dependent upon the type of ceremony that you are having. It sounds like you're having a really fun Halloween wedding–congrats! That sounds like so much fun! I would start by speaking with the professionals at Claudia's Mementos. Though not located in Calgary, wedding favors from here are bound to be awesome. They always do an incredible job of hooking you up with the wedding favors that YOU want.

If you want a cool idea to start with for your wedding favors, try this one that my friend is using at her Halloween wedding this year. Our wedding favors are placeholders which are going to be little skulls, monsters, and ghosts with our names written on their heads. It took her a long time to choose those over chocolate cupcakes with vanilla icing decorated like webbing and our names written in red icing over that. Somehow I knew she'd go with the haunted cemetery wedding favors instead! *grin* I'm sure these will taste great with the wedding cake. Have guests bring a sweet tooth!

Wedding decorations aren't quite as tricky. The only thing you really need to figure out is whether you want this to be more like a Halloween wedding or a Halloween party. If you're wanting the more upscale, ask a local Calgary wedding planner to help you come up with something that will celebrate the holiday and the occasion at the same time. If you want more of a party atmosphere, go all out with black tablecloths, creepy decorative lighting, blood-colored punch and other party foods, jack-o-lanterns and other spooky decorations. It just takes a little imagination! If you want some ideas, check out these great Halloween party pictures.

Together, your choices of wedding cakes, wedding favors, and wedding decorations is immense when you use the local  wedding suppliers that you have right there in Calgary!

Thanks for your question Carmen. I look forward to seeing the pictures of your wedding!