Unique Wedding Ideas

I posted on a DIY Wedding Group Board recenlty asking what some brides  will be doing that is creative and unique.  I was estatic with the amount of responses and ideas provided. 

Here are a few of the many.  More posts to follow.

Dove Release

One bride plans to release doves after her ceremony.  Technically, white “peace” doves are not used for this purpose, but rather white homing pigeons.  Although doves sybmolize peace and love, they don’t fair well with this task.  According to A Touch Above out of Florida, when the birds are released they circle a few times in formation and fly home as trained (and are rewarded upon their return).  This can be up 500 miles away, although typcially no more than 80 miles.  This is a beautiful way to symbolize the unity of a marriage.

For more info, please contact National White Dove Release Society.  “The National White Dove Release Society is dedicated to promoting ethical and humane ceremonial dove releases by releasing only healthy, trained and banded white homing pigeons, as well as promoting our professional white dove release members’ businesses.”

Image by Rothart from Pixabay

Self-Uniting Marriage (Non-Religous)

Yep, you can do that – marry yourselves (in some states).  It is sometimes referred to as a Quaker Marriage. A self-uniting marriage license will need to be obtained and only a few states allow this.  Pennsylvania approves marriage licenses with two witnessess in place of an officiant.  Also “somewhat” allowed in Illinois, Colorado, Maine, Kansas, and Nevada – depending upon how the law is worded.  No officiant, no stranger, no ordained uncle, just husband and wife pronouncing their love commitment. 

I now prounounce us husband and wife!  I don’t think it can get more intimate than that.

Day of the Dead Wedding Celebration 

Dia de los Muertos is celebrated throughout Mexico and Latin America to honor the life of loved ones that have passed away.  This celebration spans a few days beginning October 31st through November 2nd.  Unlike the typical America Halloween that have creepy, frightening parts, The Day of the Dead is the opposite in that it celebrates life and love in vibrant color, song & dance, parades, dress and makeup.  Oh, and intricate colorful skulls.

Image by Sofia Cristina Córdova Valladares from Pixabay 

What a way to celebrate the beginnigng of an eternal life together.  That gives new meaning to the vow, “Til Death Do You Part”.  In this belief, there is no parting.  There are loads of ideas and varations to saying I DO in honor of this celebration.  Either way, it will surely make it a wedding to never forget – ever!

Check out these 11 Wedding Ideas Inspired by Day of the Dead from The Knot.

Um….not quite sure how I feel about this dress.  It’s…..UNIQUE!

Food Truck Reception

I am thrilled to see this concept being used more and more.  Perhaps some of the pretentious BS has been thrown out the window on the must have 5-course meal on a perfectly set table.  I know this isn’t for everyone, but you know what it means to me?  The couple wants to have good, easy food with no fuss.  Huge benefit of doing this is that the dinner doesn’t take 90 minutes with everyone stuck in their seats.  With the food truck – dancing and eating can go on at the same time.  More time for socializing and fun!

If an ice cream truck rolls in after dinner, I’m all about THAT!

Here is a great article about a food truck wedding:  I Had a Food-Truck Wedding (and It Was Awesome)

Random thoughts in my head….

In the tune of Chumbawamba’s “I Get Knocked Down” (a.k.a. Tubthumping) – minus the getting knocked down part and try not to think about the band.  I certainly hope you didn’t contribute to their 2015 Kickstarter fund to create a movie (that’s still not out yet).

There’s a whisky truck
There’s a taco truck
He sings the songs that remind him of the good times
He sings the songs that remind him of the best times

And so on….(can’t get it out of my head and I’m making up stuff….there’s a grilled cheese truck, there’s a lobster truck…).

If you are unfamiliar with the song, fast forward to 1:23 on the You Tube Video.

Note to self: write new post with examples of food truck options.  Nothing else.  I’m always too wordy!

Photo by Micheile Henderson on Unsplash

Arriving via Horse Drawn Carriage

This is from my own experience.  This was sooooo important to me.  I got married the end of January in New Hampshire.  It was cold and I think there were snow flurries that night.  The distance from the hotel where we got ready to the venue was about two miles.  I contacted Whispering Brook Farm. The owner, Kim, quoted me a great price for one horse carrying five people in an enclosed carriage.  She mapped out the route and due to it being all up hill, she said I would need two horses and the cost was significantly more and out of my budget.  I was bummed out.  She ended up changing her mind and doing it with the two horses for the original quote.  She wanted to fulfill my dream.  I am forever greatful.

It was an amazing ride.  My Dad, sister, sister-in-law, and 3 yr old sister all sang songs on the way there (going to the chapel and we’re gonna get married...).  The carriage pulled up in the circular driveway in front of huge windows where the guests were waiting for the ceremony to start.  They were very patient considering I was an hour late (yikes!).  I felt like a princess.  It was awesome.

The icing on the cake was that hubby and I immediately exited the ceremony and got right into the carraige and went on a 10 minute ride alone…just taking in the moment and what we just did.

Wedding Party Change-Up

I love seeing couple’s creating a Wedding Party that is unique to them.  Two Mother-of-the-Brides?  No problem.  Five Bridesmaids and two Goomsman?  All guys?  All girls?  All kids?  No problem.   Golden Retriever as the ring bearer?  Make it work!  Who cares who walks down the aisle with who and who dances with who or if it is uneven?  The Wedding Party is the group of loved ones chosen because they are an important part of the couple’s life.  Let the Wedding Party symbolize exactly that and not who is paired with who or the typical rules.

Below shows Joyce (the bride’s 75 year old grandmother) and Drue (the groom’s 74 year old grandmother) walking down the aisle spreading flower petals as the flower girls in matching dresses to boot.  I love everything about this.  See the story written by Dr. Aaron Tabor here.

My Favorite for Last:  Family Fun Day

My sister-in-law and husband had this type of wedding.  The venue was a bed & breakfast with a large inn and cabins along the shore of Contoobook Lake.  The Woodbound Inn is a tiny slice of heaven in southeastern New Hampshire.  Under the tent and surroundings were decorated simply with a rustic touch.  It was a gorgeous day, not a cloud in the sky.  The day started on the small sandy beach witnessing their marriage and ended in the late evening by a huge bonfire on that same beach.  Everything in between was just pure joy.  Having such a laid-back atmoshphere really set the tone for the event.   

Here is what I remember:  an amazing pig roast, a dessert table with homemade deliciousness, spinning my daughter around on the danceflooor and her giddy laughter, getting tipsy thinking I’m playing ladder ball like a pro, sparklers…..then the huge fire.  Oh, and I think we had smores, but I’m not entirely sure.  I also remember the fun.  It was such a blast.  We retired to our cozy cabin on the water and I fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow.  We enjoyed a hearty breakfast buffet in the morning with family.  My kind of wedding!

Photos credit: Katrina Bernard Photography