Going the non-traditional route

If you're tired of going to weddings that just seem to be a repeat of the wedding you went to last weekend, maybe you're more of a non-traditional bride. Whether you want to make subtle changes by walking down the aisle to a more non-traditional song or whether you want to go completely against tradition and have a themed wedding where guests where costumes and have to be in character, it's totally up to. The possibilities are endless, and at the end of the day all that matters is that the marriage license is signed and that you and your guests had fun.

Here are some other ideas for ways to step out of the traditional box (some are extreme and some are more subdued):

• Give your guests some warning as to what type of wedding you'll be having by sending out some fun invitations. Check out Off Beat Bride for ideas on wording.
• Pick a theme (something you and your groom love: superheroes, bright colors, medieval, 80's, movies, etc.) and stick with it throughout the wedding plan (themed invites, your dress and shoes, decor, food, etc.)
• Have a fun dance song played for the recessional and then ask that your bridal party dance down the aisle after your officiant pronounces you "man and wife."
• Wear a cocktail dress at the reception (and at the wedding too!).
• Instead of cake have a dessert bar that features you and your hubby's favorite desserts (even if they are Twinkies and Ho Ho's).

Whatever you decide to do on your big day remember that you want it to reflect you and your fiancé in a classy way; you don't want to show up on the next episode of "My Big Fat Redneck Wedding." Have fun and be creative!

Flower budget

The price of flowers can depend on where the flower is coming from as it may or may not be in season near you as well as how difficult it is to grow, etc. Most brides search the Internet and magazines for photos of bouquets that they love then take the pictures into a florist, unaware of what the cost might be. Here are a few tips on ways you can save on your flower budget:

• Downsize your containers. If you originally had a vase requiring 20 roses to give the right effect, consider choosing a smaller vase that needs only 5 roses. Also if you love peonies or garden roses (we love the "fluffy" look these two have), you'll definitely want a smaller container. These flowers are big and usually don't take much to give the look you want.
• A trend that has been in for the past couple of years is really cost effective: "going green." You can use ferns, ivy, eucalyptus, curly willow sticks, and many other plants that will save you money and give more of that natural look to your centerpieces.
• Try not to get hung up on a certain flower that costs $10 a head or getting attached to the idea of traditional centerpieces with 50 stems each. If your florist is good they'll be able to help you find a flower that's similiar to the one you want but for a lower cost. Daisies are great because they come in lots of colors, are inexpensive, and can be arranged in several different ways.
• Try to limit your centerpieces to have 1-3 flowers each. If your arrangements have more than that, then chances are your florist is having to order more than he or she needs which is going to cost you more. See if they can use the same flowers in your bouquets or in other arrangements used to decorate at the ceremony and/or reception site.
• If you want a variety of flowers you may want to consider using shorter vases instead of tall. They tend to have smaller openings and will require less flowers to make a pretty impression. If you love the look of tall flowers like hydrangeas or gladiolas, tall vases are great and curly willow, feathers, etc. can always be added to fill the space.

At The Hamilton Event Center we include all of your centerpieces so you don't have to worry about contacting an outside florist to bring things in. We have several different sizes of vases for you to choose from, and the flower possibilities are just as varied.

Say cheese!

Who you pick to photograph your wedding is important. You'll be showing off that wedding album for years to come (Facebook, new friends, kids, grandkids). So we have some tips on how to pick the right photographer as well as making sure the photos turn out beautiful!

1. When you're meeting with potential photographers ask to see photos from 5 or 6 weddings, including photos from the last wedding they did. Photographers typically only show off their best work.

2. The rule is typically 1 photographer per 100 guests. If you're going with just 1 see if they have an assistant (different from a second photographer) who can help set up shots and handle equipment.

3. Picking out the right wedding package can be overwhelming. Try to pick out the one that has the most of what you want (do you really want 100 wallet-sized photos?). You can always order more. Most photographers these days give you a CD so if you want to order more from Walmart you can.

4. Things to include in your contract:

• Everyone's contact information
• Dates, times, and addresses of all wedding locations
• Name of and contact information for a backup photographer
• Package details
• Date the proofs will be available
• Photographer's copyright policy (do they care if you take the CD to Walmart for more prints?)
• When and how you will receive your album, prints, or CDs
• Total cost (itemized)
• Reordering prices
• Deposit amount
• Payment due dates
• Cancellation and refund policy

5. Prior to the wedding show your photographer both flattering and unflattering pictures of you and your fiancé. With their professional eye they'll be able to tell which angles flatter you both. When you're posing try putting your weight on your back leg, stretch out your other leg in front of you, and face the camera. Victoria Beckham is infamous for this striking slimming pose. Ask a friend who isn't in your bridal party to hang around close by with powder and lip gloss for touch ups between pics (this will also make you feel more glamorous).

6. Weddings can be chaotic and 50 things are going on at the same time. The photographer might miss an amazing moment you and your friends had. If it's important to you to catch that moment on film, ask everyone involved to recreate it so the photographer can catch it.

7. Think about renting a photobooth. The picture quality is good, and this will keep your guests entertained as well as giving them something memorable to take home. You can still have a photographer for the wedding and for capturing special moments like cutting the cake and dancing with your dad.

8. You can definitely ask your photographer to dress appropriately for your wedding, but be aware that they need to be comfortable so no tuxedos or ballgowns. Most wear either all black or black pants with a white shirt so they don't stand out.

To have and to hold.... What's my line?

Of the many details that go in to planning a wedding, one of the most overlooked is the writing of the vows. Couples tend to wait until the last minute which usually results in telling the officiant to just use some traditional vows. Your vows should reflect the two of you and your relationship. Using the traditional vows off the Internet is fine, but what you say to one another should be more than just words. Think about sitting down with your officiant and talking about what matters most to the two of you. Faith, love, commitment, trust--all important and personal to each couple. If you don't have an officiant yet, take time as a couple to discuss how you want your vows to relfect the two of you then pick an officiant who will best honor your wishes.

Also you can consider incorporating your parents or even all the guests in to your vows. Have your officiant ask if your parents will support and encourage you. Face your guests and position your officiant with his back to them so they can see your faces. You might even consider having the groom wear a wireless mic that will pick up everything the two of you say.

Wedding Trends

Here are some upcoming wedding trends we found:

With 2 Snow White-inspired movies coming out this year and the beautiful "Twilight" wedding last year, it's no wonder that this year's dresses are off the shoulder, have longer sleeves, have lots of lace, and offer alluring romance.

Bouquets are also following the Snow White trend as well as all the hype over Peter Jackson's "The Hobbit." So think ethereal, woodsy, and "fluffy": English garden roses and peonies with greenery and natural sprigs.

Pastels are making a huge comeback this spring so for invitations and table settings use watercolors especially in lavender and light pink.

Have you read the young adult not-just-for-young-adults book "The Hunger Games"? If you said no, you'd better run out and grab the entire trilogy before the movie hits theaters this March. And no, these books have nothing to do with what food to serve at your reception; instead, they have everything to do with your bachelor and bachelorette parties. Ladies are attending self-defense classes, learning to drive like a member of Nascar, and learning how to survive in the wild. Gentlemen are also learning to drive like they're in Nascar as well as playing poker.

This year it's all about flaunting your best assets, like Marilyn Monroe did with her signature red lips and tighter-than-the-norm skirts. If you love your legs, be daring and get a dress with a slit. If you love your bottom half, go for a mermaid dress. You know your body, so flaunt what you got!

As for photography, it's less about photoshop and "artist" angles and more about formal and classy. Try getting a panoramic shot of you and all of your guests!

Now this one sounds like fun! A high-class reception on a ranch! Not necessarily in a barn, but that would be a definite plus to have the food and cake set up inside and have the doors open to the seating outside. Ways to keep it classy: bring in chandeliers, beautiful flowers (roses, lilies, gardenias), and delicious food (something fancy like quail).

One of the classic love stories of all time, "When Harry Met Sally," inspires this next trend: make a video that details your own love story. You can either send snippets of the video out with e-save-the-dates and/or show the video at your reception; don't forget to film the guests while they're watching so you can save the reactions.

Brides are feeling a bit adventurous this year and are booking honeymoons that don't just take them to one destination but take them on a journey around the world. This is your first big as a married couple, and what better way to spend it than by experiencing a ton of new and exciting cultures together?