It's nice but not necessary to have a little gift for wedding guests.
Some couples give each guest or table of guests a disposable camera so they can capture a unique record of the wedding events.
Couples are also burning CDs of their favourite music to share with their family and friends.
Candy-coated coloured almonds are considered good luck in
some cultures, and they can be a pretty addition to the table.
Gather them in coloured tulle and tie with a silk ribbon. You
might tuck in a miniature artificial rose bud.
Chocolates in pretty boxes have replaced the traditional cake
wrapped in doilies.
Choose pretty bookmarks and have someone with great handwriting skills, inscribe each person's name. Let these double as place cards. They serve a useful purpose at the reception, but are a practical take-home memento as well, because everyone reads books.
A very tiny bud vase, set at each place setting, can hold a single flower. With eight of these tiny floral displays around the table, a floral centrepiece may be unnecessary.
Set a scented candle or coloured candle at each place. Your guests may choose to take it home or light it to celebrate the occasion.
Put the menu in small take-home frames. When you send your thank you notes, enclose a wedding picture that will fit into the frames.
Hallmark Canada offers these unique ideas for weddings.
To warm a winter wedding reception, line the sidewalk to the event with white paper luminaries. Decorate guest tables with candles and sparkle glitter snow. Keep the candle theme going by sending your guests home with a scented votive candle presented in a little box with a ribbon and tag that includes the newlyweds' names.
Winter weddings are the perfect opportunity for the bride to be creative with wedding favours. Give those who have been particularly helpful to you a tea mug and a clove-scented coaster that releases its fragrance when a hot drink is placed on it. Ornaments are also another memorable keepsake that guests will cherish for years to come.
Having trouble coming up with just the right words for a toast? Let a greeting card writer provide inspiration for you at the rehearsal dinner or the wedding itself. Simply read through a selection of greeting cards to find the perfect words to say at the event.
Here's a sample of a great wedding toast.
"Things to remember when the wedding is over and the
marriage begins...
Good nature is more important than good looks (especially at 7
am).
Love isn't blind-it just knows when to look the other way.
Being silly together isn't silly at all.
Five degrees on the thermostat isn't worth a night of cold
shoulders.
Trash really doesn't take itself out.
Love notes and compliments never get old.
Giving up the television remote may bring something better than
a night of controlling the TV.
But most of all, always remember the happiness of your wedding
day-and never let that feeling go."
Hallmark's Our So in Love instant scrapbook lets you create a treasured keepsake by simply adding photos. The pages easily slip out from their protective plastic pockets, making it easy for family, friends and guests to add their own memories to the book. Divide these pages up at a bridal shower, rehearsal dinner or reception and pass them around for handwritten warm wishes for the couple. Guests can even bring their favourite photos of the bride or groom and themselves and attach them next to their messages.
While some brides are choosing to restrict their guest lists to adults, others enjoy letting the kids in on the festivities. Young guests will love goodie bags with Crayola crayons or markers, stickers, classic children's card games, party favours, colouring books and drawing paper. These fun packs to keep kids occupied while the adults can enjoy the reception.
