More Advice for an Informal Wedding

Your informal wedding is nevertheless still a great time of celebration and joy. You want it to reflect who you are, and what you - as a wedding couple - are all about. Whether it's an at-home wedding, or held at a local park, hall, a restaurant or party room, you still want to be sure that what you do at this occasion is what you want to look back on years from now and remember happily.

1. Go with the easiest wedding attire.

Choose a wedding dress that echoes the simplicity of your style. You aren't being extravagant in anything else, so a cathedral trained wedding dress with a nine-foot veil would just seem out of place. Consider the time of day you are having your wedding and dress appropriately. A cocktail length wedding dress reflects the relative informality and is easily worn from afternoon through evening.

You are probably not having a lot of attendants, so let the Maid of Honor and bridesmaids choose their own dress. Give them your color scheme, the length that you'd like them to wear and let them find dresses that are flattering to them and still reflect your informal style. The same goes for the groom, let him choose a suit or something that is indicative of his style so he matches you. No need for a tuxedo unless you really want him to wear one!

2. Don’t try to over-impress.

This is key — if you try to impress people with your fancy wedding and it's not you, you’ll go to a lot of trouble and expense for something that puts on a false front. It’s really not worth it. Everyone has been to fancy weddings, and while they’re nice, they last for one day and they put you deeply in debt.

Unless you want a celebrity-style wedding on a budget, (here is an article that shows you ways to have one) don't try to do too much. If you aren't comfortable with a huge wedding blow-out - don't have one! You want to remember your day your way. Besides, the wedding is a party for you and your guests - you aren't going to have a spread in People magazine!

3. Keep the wedding decorations simple.

Have a few floral arrangements in your wedding colors, some candles with mirrors as centerpieces, some white mini-lights. You can supply aisle runners and flowers. Very minimal, very little trouble, very little expense.

4. Provide simple, elegant wedding favors.

Put some Jordan almonds or custom M & M's in lovely wedding favor boxes that are attached to placecards you've printed with the guests' names.

5. Splurge on the wedding cake!

As long as you serve this as a main part of your dessert, contact your local bakery, or a specialty wedding cake store and get something you will really love. I attended an informal wedding where the cake was a two-tier center cake of traditional wedding cake and two side cakes with carrot cake and chocolate cake, all tied together with the same icing. It was delicious and festive and everyone enjoyed it.

6. Simple entertainment.

If you are going for informality, don't hire a nine piece orchestra! Ask a friend to be a DJ or hire a professional. If you are lucky to have friends who play instruments, have them play at the ceremony and perhaps during your cocktail hour.

7. Simple photography

With today's digital cameras and outstanding places to get your wedding photos put into a wedding photo book, you are freed from the expense of a photographer. Ask someone you know well to be in charge of the photographs and even do the "formal shots." Better yet, place a disposable camera on each table and ask your guests to take pictures. You will get some great candids to add to your photo book.

8. Appoint a wedding coordinator for the day.

You don't have to hire a wedding planner (although that is an option) but do have someone who will ensure that all the details of your wedding are going smoothly. You, your parents, and your immediate family won't have time so having someone assigned to cover all the details just makes good sense. You should have all your details recorded in a wedding planning book that you can hand off to your assigned person to follow. This will enable you to relax and enjoy the wedding, confident that everything is in good hands!

Just because your wedding is informal, doesn't mean that you don't have to pay attention to all the details. They are just less cumbersome than a more formal extravagant wedding. The primary rules are to keep your wedding simple and your guests happy, and you will enjoy your day as much as they do.

An At Home Wedding - Pt. 2

An at-home wedding contains all of the elements of a regular wedding combined with a party held at a home. So here are some more tips to make your at-home wedding a spectacular affair!

Decorate your home.

Adorn your entrance or front door with a wedding wreath. Add a garland to the patio or deck railing and personalize it with photos of both families. If you have guests who are going inside and outside, make sure the indoors are decorated as well with wedding favors, and small vases of flowers.

Decorate the bathrooms with flowers and candles in your wedding colors, and if you can have guest towels coordinated as well that would be an excellent touch. Use your wedding theme to determine your three-color palette and coordinate, decorate and enjoy.

Consider borrowing furniture and accessories.

If you are on a budget and are unable to get everything that matches, consider mixing a bunch of different styles. Especially for a casual at-home wedding, guests don't really expect you to have everything matching. Have an eclectic mix of tables, chairs, plates, silver and glasses. Just remember to list everything you borrow so you can return it to its rightful owner.

I'd take a picture of the item (for dishes and glasses, etc., a single picture will do) and have prints made. Write the names of the owners on the print so that when you are divvying up after the wedding you know what goes to whom. Remember you are responsible for any damage and for coordinating all pickups and returns.

Rent! If you can afford it - rent it.

It's much easier to call a party rental company for tables, chairs, plates, linens, silver and glasses than having to scramble looking for them. Many rental companies have garden style chairs and benches to enhance your outdoor at home mood, along with folding chairs, tables , fountains, etc. The rentals may cost more than borrowing, but you don't have to schlep things. The company comes, delivers, sets-up, and picks-up. You don't even have to wash the dishes, glasses or linens - the company takes care of it!

Move precious objects and clutter.

This way you won't have to worry about the accidental breakage of grandma's Tiffany lamp. Guests will feel more comfortable moving freely about the rooms. Take up any delicate carpets, and arrange for a place to put dirty shoes should the weather turn foul. You might even provide slippers if everyone has to move indoors! At one home wedding I attended, there were dozens of flip flops for everyone to wear inside - and we got to keep the pair we used.

You are limited only by how much you can imagine for your at-home wedding. You can go as expensive as you like – hire a local chef, cater the entire meal from a gourmet shop, or host a BBQ potluck with everyone pitching in food and drinks. No matter what you choose, keep it wedding simple and stunning!

An At-Home Wedding

For some couples there is no place like home when it comes to the perfect wedding celebration. Just remember that everything that is normally taken care of at a rented wedding venue - like a hotel, function hall or even specialty location - is now your responsibility.

Here are some tips if to help you along if you're having an at-home wedding...

Figure out your maximum guest count. Determine if that number will fit comfortably in your home or yard. If you are holding the reception outdoors and have the room for it, call in a tent professional to determine how the wedding could flow from indoors to an outdoor "room" such as a tent. See what your options are for adding this structure. Most tent companies will provide a complimentary consultation - and it will give you a good idea of how many people you can actually invite.

Check your power. Make sure that you will have enough power for live music or extra lighting. Don't blow a fuse at the wedding -- have a professional electrician check it out first and let you know where you stand.

Check with your city regarding live music, assembly, garbage disposal, tent erection and other ordinances. Call your local departments and make sure you are in compliance with all laws and regulations. Know what time noise becomes a nuisance. You don't want a police raid just as you are about to throw the bouquet.

Ensure that there is enough parking! Check with the neighbors to see if your guests may use their driveways or consider a valet service. The valet can keep track of the cars, and where they are parked, and be able to bring them for the guests when they are ready to leave. At one at-home wedding I attended, the couple had arranged with a small van service to shuttle guests back and forth between a public parking lot two blocks away and the home.

Another good point here is that if you have neighbors who might be annoyed about your wedding celebration, invite them to the wedding. This way they are part of the event and won't be bothered. Even if they don't attend, you've made the gesture and created goodwill so that you can relax and celebrate.

Just remember that although you are holding the wedding at home, doesn’t mean that you have to provide homemade everything – or even anything. Decide what you want your level of involvement to be as far as preparation, set-up and service and then make plans to suit your budget, your wishes and your time. The point of this type of wedding is to keep it easy and relaxed.

Tomorrow, we will talk about more at home tips that you can use for your wedding celebrations!