What a great New Jersey wedding Ceremony!

If you have small children in your bridal party, be prepared for the possibility that they will not have the attention span to be dignified and motionless for the ceremony. Block off a few seats in the front row, and let their parents (who should also be sitting in the front row…) know that if they get antsy, they can simply come over and sit down. You might even put an age appropriate toy on their seats which will do double duty at the reception. Now, if YOU get antsy during the ceremony, well, that’s a totally different story…….

I hope you’re enjoying the beautiful weather, and taking a well deserved rest from the pressures of the world, your upcoming wedding, and, well, your upcoming wedding.

We were part of several this weekend, and it made me think about the implications of having a wedding ceremony or reception on a holiday weekend. On the plus side, more of your guests may be able to attend, especially if you’re planning a “destination” wedding at the shore, or a resort site. On the, well, not quite “minus” side, but under the category of “things to think about”, there are the implications of those holidays. If you have a veteran in your family, for memorial day, it might be a lovely gesture to recognize that in some way either at your ceremony or reception. Your New Jersey Wedding Celebrant (smooth, eh?) can help you decide on a gracious way to do that.
New Year’s, Valentines’ Day, Mothers’ Day, even Halloween; these are all days that mean various things to different couples, but bringing those days into the conversation can add rich meaning to your celebration.

Mark Sganga, that is….. When I saw Mark tuning up at my wedding on Saturday, I knew all was going to be great! He is an amazing musician; his acoustic guitar will serenade you up the aisle and joyously lead your recessional. He is a wonderful player, a gentle and creative soul, but more importantly, he will treat your ceremony carefully and gracefully. WWW.marksganga.com

There is something to be said for having a small bridal party; the biggest thing to be said is that it eliminates a LOT of organizing and detail work for you. It may eliminate the hurt feelings that can occur when you have to make choices about who will be in the party and who will not. This is a good thing. Still, there are people you might want to include in the ceremony in different ways, and there are plenty of parts they can play.

They can do readings or blessings.
They can be part of rituals like unity candles or handfastings.
They can sing or play an instrument.
They can escort either of the wedding couple to the “altar”.
They can give a toast at the end of the ceremony.

Your wedding should really be YOUR wedding, without you feeling the pressure to have 18 people standing next to you, unless that is what you want. Once you make your decision, you’ll feel relieved and THAT’S a good thing too!

Tradition would have it that you would save and freeze the top layer of your cake to share on your first anniversary. EWWWWWWWWW FROZEN YEAR OLD CAKE!!!!!!!!

No. It is time to reinvent that tradition. Enjoy the top layer of your cake together and then order a brandy new replica for your anniversary. Tasting it again will be a pleasure, not a chore!

That being said, you can order the top layer in a different flavor from all the rest; if you love carrot cake, but you don’t think everyone at your wedding would, just go for it! It’s just for you!

or a teal blue one, or a pink one; how stylish and celebratory to greet your guests with a signature drink. It could be something that works with your color scheme; a drink that played a part in your relationship (one of my couples bonded over margueritas in a snowstorm…..), or just something you love. Bonus points for fun glasses, cool garnishes (how about hanging plastic monkeys on the rims?) or colored sugar on the edges of the glasses. The whole idea starts your reception off with a cool touch.

Everything that you decide to do for your wedding will take at least twice as long as you think, including lining up the bridal party to get down the aisle.

If you’re going to hand color your invitations with four of your closest friends, chill at least two bottles of champagne.

That dog you love so much is not going to walk down the aisle on command, no matter how much Au Jus aftershave the groom is wearing. It’s okay; it’ll be fun anyway.

One bridesmaid will break her heel; one groomsman will break his arm.

Your closest guests will be the ones who get lost. Unless the ceremony is at their house.

I believe I mentioned that everything you decide to do for your wedding (making favors, doing the flowers, baking cupcakes, hand lettering placecards) will take twice as long as you think. Make that three times as long and you’re safe!

How great would it be to have this insane pink ice cream truck at your wedding! This way groovy mobile ice cream wagon from L.A. (big shock there….( could add a hint of the wild and werid to your wedding, with a selection of Mexican fruit bars, Russian teddy bear bars, Italian spumoni slices, Pixy Stix, fudgesicles, and kosher bubble gum.
Leyla Safaia, mucisian and entrepreneur, plays her own electronic music over the speakers while your guests could pick their faves, along with various pop culture trinkets and favors.

How cool is that! http://www.heartschallenger.com

Maps are a wonderful thing, but before you send one to your 100 closest friends, make sure it’s accurate, or you may be having a more private ceremony than you planned. If your reception is in a different location, maps for both are great; you can even give your guests a little round about way from point A to point B; this will give you a little time for your photos. (And don’t forget to give the same map to your limo drivers…)

Of course, you are going to want your hands and toes to look as nice as possible for your wedding; consider a light sparkly or neutral glossy color. Your photos will look more balanced, and the week of romantic walks on the beach will take a less noticeable toll, in terms of chipping and scratching.