Why Rice?

Who decided you had to throw rice at the bride and groom as they were making their getaway? Well, I looked it up and according to the website ncplanner.wordpress.com, it was a tradition that symbolized the bestowing of fertility and many children on the couple. Life obviously doesn't work that way. Throwing rice doesn't make you fertile but it's still a fun tradition so why not do something else?

Something I have seen a lot recently is the use of sparklers! It is beautiful for night getaways and pictures turn out amazing! The scene is often magical and surreal. I worked at a event venue that included it in their event package. Every evening wedding they would provide sparklers for when the couple left. I loved it! I always got to stand behind and watch as the newly wed couple ran through to their decorated car. My heart melted very time. 

Bubbles are another option for the daytime when sparklers just wouldn't work. Bubbles are pretty and float through the air around the couple making a whimsical setting. They aren't my preferred choice because of the potentially slippery mess you make blowing them all over the floor. 

There is also the option of still throwing something that isn't rice. Flower petals are an obvious second 'go to' that make for an elegant scene as they are tossed. For a fall wedding, leaves would be fun. Colorful yellow, red, and orange leaves falling all around would be the perfect touch and make beautiful colorful pictures. They are also pretty great because if they are thrown outside, you don't even have to do any clean up! Something I recently heard of that I really love is throwing lavender. It is beautiful and smells wonderful and it does not leave a major cleanup or cause potential environmental hazards. It leaves everyone smelling delightful and happy. 

So considering throwing something other than rice! Obviously there are other options to rice that make for a much more extravagant moment and breathtaking photos as the bride and groom depart! 

PHOTOS FROM: 

• http://weddingsabeautiful.com/2013/08/26/36-inch-sparklers-can-you-imagine-they-last-for-four-minutes-65-for-box-of-48-3/
• http://inspiringpretty.com/2012/03/12/more-unique-touches-to-easily-add-to-your-wedding
• http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/against-the-grain-5-alternatives-to-throwing-rice-at-weddings-190817 utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Category/Channel:+Main

Source: https://ncplanner.wordpress.com/2012/06/22/why-do-people-throw-rice-at-weddings/

Smores Time!

For a little fun at your evening wedding, consider a smores bar! Although this is ideal for a cold, evening, outdoor weddings, consider it for any wedding. Indoor or outdoor and it could make for a cozy, delicious night and accessory to your wedding! 

For an outdoor wedding of course just have a fire pit ready to go after the ceremony! Set up a table with chocolate and graham crackers pre-split so its easy to grab and go! Guests can laugh around a fire while trying not to make a mess! Of course, since it has the potential to be a sticky mess, make sure to supply wipes for your guests to unstick themselves with. 

Even if your wedding is indoors don't let that stop you from roasting marshmallows! Instead just set up some sterno heaters in a box of pebbles on a table! It's safer for indoors and you can spread out a bunch of mini fires for more people to roast at the same time! It's a fun way for your guests to interact and be active during your reception. They can laugh as they recall memories of roasting marshmallows together as children. And it's also especially fun if you have guests that haven't ever done it before! Here's a few examples for those looking for ideas!  http://www.colincowieweddings.com/wedding-photos/detail/image256001http://www.clipzine.me/u/clip/8609484322457421300

Baby's Breath

It's cheap, it's easy, it's beautiful. What more is there to say? Its other name is Gypsophila and you can buy it online for very cheap. It is a flower that is so easy to use and it looks like little puffs of white clouds when put in big bunches. It costs a fraction of what other big blooms cost and you can save it! I have many friends who have dried it and used it as decoration in their homes! It won't wilt or begin to look bad if it sits out for long either. You can use it in your hair for a floral, lightweight adornment that can spice up any hair style. Also, if you don't want to use just baby's breath, it look beautiful paired with nearly any other type of bloom! Just use it as an inexpensive buffer flower! Get creative with it! You can use it just about anywhere you want: as a centerpiece, boutonniere, bouquet, aisle liner, cake decoration, hairpiece, and many other things! Good luck!

Photos from:  ://www.elizabethannedesigns.com/blog/slideshow/babys-breath-wedding-flowers/3/

Hair Sense!

Your hair. It's a big beauty aspect for your wedding but being creative may be difficult sometimes. an easy way to add some spunk to your hair without having to do a crazy, risky hair do is to add accessories! You can bedazzle your hair with rhinestones and adorn it with flowers of any sort. Get creative and consider even making your own! Craft stores often have many options for jewelry/hair clip making. Look for tutorials and get busy! The cool thing about making your own is that it can be totally customized. Finding the exact type of beads or piece put together the exactly right way for your taste may be difficult. Making your own piece can yield beautiful results that fit exactly what you need! 

I once made a small braided rope that I wove throughout my bun for prom. It was so cool and went with my funky colored dress perfectly! I had people asking all night where I got it and it felt amazing! 

You don't have to stick to just rhinestones and jewels! Try some feathers, delicate chain, or even some leather pieces (like I used). You can use tulle or strings of pearls! you do you girl! Get creative and make your hair as awesome as you want it to be! 

Seating Arrangements

Seating can be a very stressful aspect of your wedding. Whom should sit by whom? Or, more importantly, whom should NOT sit by whom? This is unfortunately a task that not many people can help the couple with because, most of the time, they are the only ones who know everyone coming and their relationships with one another. Of course a planner or friend could do it but that may mean that your crazy college roommate is stuck beside your calm, anxious great aunt which would actually make for a potentially great story... So on second thought, try it out it may be fun. But, if your goal is to plan a smooth running wedding with you as the actual focus.... then that may not be the best plan. 

There are thousands of potential seating arrangements out there! Different types work for different crowds. Younger people tend to enjoy a more casual setting to socialize during the event while older members tend to enjoy formal dining and place settings. It also depends on the relationship your crowd has with one another. A tight, close-knit family may enjoy bigger tables with everyone at the same table if possible; while a not-so-close group may be more content with separate small tables of people they know best. 

Your venue is also a big determining factor of how you can arrange your tables. Some venues are only suitable for certain arrangements due to size or regulations. Check with your venue and planner to see what settings seem to work best with their space. 

Consider also the way you plan to serve your food. Just about any way you serve it, whether it's buffet style or delivered to the table by a server, there will need to be ample room to navigate around the tables. You don't want anyone spilling food and especially on another guest. 

The possibilities are endless so just consider what is most suitable for your event! 

All the Feels

When planning a wedding, the couple should think about how they want to set the atmosphere. Everyone is unique and every wedding will have its own twists and special parts, so don't be scared to try something different! At your romantic evening wedding, why not have a silly photo booth with crazy props in the corner? It is your wedding and you can do what you want! But be sure to consider all the problems with any big plan. Will the dark setting of the wedding allow for good pictures at photo booth? If not then why not set up lighting to make for better pictures!
Though you can do what you want with your wedding, be sure not to try going in too many directions. In order to have a successful, well-flowing event it does need to have some sort of commonality otherwise people will be confused and overwhelmed. A successful event will flow together well and not leave everyone feeling lost at the end of your wedding.

What's in the middle?

     The middle of the table of course! Your centerpiece! It can be as simple or as elaborate as you desire, just consider all your options, as always, and of course, your budget. There are cheap ways to get just about any look you desire!
     Flowers are beautiful and make gorgeous centerpieces! They are so versatile and customizable and just downright pretty. Unfortunately, flowers are expensive. According to theperfectmatchstudio.com, centerpieces can cost anywhere from $100 a piece to $300+ depending on the arrangement. That is a lot to add to a budget, but if you want flowers, go for it! They are beautiful and elegant and make a great decoration for your wedding!
     If you are not sure how much you like the idea of spending up to $300 per table, then there are other options for you! Flowers are typical but are by no means the only way to go. Get creative and look for the alternatives. Dollar Trees have glass vases for cheap and tea candles that can be easy basics for starting your own awesome centerpiece.
     Candles are a common option and work great for a wedding in the evening. They can create a romantic mood and magical setting for your wedding and they are much, much cheaper that the typical flower piece. Here are a few candle examples that are so beautiful that you won't miss the flowers!

All candle photos courtesy of: http://www.deerpearlflowers.com/43-romantic-wedding-ideas-with-candles/ 

     Of course candles aren't the only alternative. Trending centerpiece ideas now are lanterns and birdcages! They are slightly more pricy than candles but they are still not as much as flowers! Both lanterns and birdcages can also look good with or without candles in them. It's up to you and the time of day. An evening reception would probably be well suited to have candles but a reception in the day would look just as beautiful without them! Here are a few lantern and birdcage ideas!

These beauties are available at Amazon.com for only $5.59 plus shipping! Beautiful alone or with candles in them!

This is larger lantern available on Amazon.com that is only $24.66 plus shipping. It looks best with a candle but could also be filled with anything else you could think up! 

   

This is a birdcage that is available on Amazon.com for $12.99 plus shipping. It would be beautiful filled with flowers or candles or even photos! 

Here are some ways to use these Amazon finds to make a beautiful centerpiece!

http://postris.com/pin.aspx?pid=105152&p=1&by=repins&t=30&cat&rnk=0&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+repinly-wedding-events+%28Repinly+Wedding+%26+Events+Popular+Pins%29

http://www.deerpearlflowers.com/36-amazing-beach-wedding-centerpieces/

http://lover.ly/real-weddings/rustic-birmingham-wedding-captured-by-steven-michael-photo/4459/images/92611/