 |
Escort Cards –
instead of a big table plan, each guest collects a card telling
them which table they’re seated on for dinner. Cards can
either be flat, placed in envelopes or rolled as scrolls.
|
|
Wine Glass Charms
– instead of place cards, charms are placed around the
stems of a wine glass with the name of the guest on. These double
as favours, can be decorated with coloured beads/jewels to match
your theme and save guests wondering later on which drink is
theirs!
|
|
Pinatas –
instead of kid’s bags or other activities. Pinatas are
Mexican in origin and are very popular in America & Canada.
They’re large papier-mâché forms, traditionally
bulls or donkeys but they can be made into more ‘weddingy’
shapes! The piñata is suspended from a tree and people
take it in turns to hit it with a special stick. When the piñata
finally bursts, the winner is showered in goodies (often sweets).
For smaller children, ‘pull’ piñatas are
better – children take it in turns to pull ribbons hanging
from the piñata until the door is opened. Big kids and
small people love piñatas and they can be made in any
colour scheme.
|
|
Shoe Signing –
instead of the bouquet toss. As bridal bouquets get more and
more expensive, brides are less and less inclined to throw them
away! The Turkish tradition of ‘shoe signing’ is
a perfect alternative. The brides unmarried friends sign the
sole of the brides shoes and the name which has rubbed away
most by the end of the night will be the next to get married!
|
|
The New Blue –
instead of a blue garter, ask your dress shop to embroider your
initials into your dress. Then send your husband to be a note
on the day asking him to find it later!
|
|
Wreaths –
aren’t just for Christmas! A bright colourful wreath,
either in a circle or shaped in the initials of the bride and
groom, is a perfect way to welcome guests to your venue (also
a lot cheaper than large archway arrangements)
|
|
Fruity Favours
– instead of sweets. Sweet juicy cherries to compliment
a red colour scheme, strawberries, and peaches even passion
fruit are all great – cheap and healthy! Present them
in a little terracotta pot or pretty gift bag so they can double
up as place cards. Use your imagination to make up a suitable
phrase to go with them - ‘We go together like strawberries
and cream’ or ‘Roses are red, these cherries are
too, you’re here at our wedding so we want to thank you’.
|
|
Place markers –
instead of plain tented place cards. Place markers knotted into
napkins, swinging from chair backs, curling from wineglasses
or attached to ribbon around favourboxes. Being different needn’t
be expensive, especially if you’ve got a pc & printer,
some coloured paper and a bit of time.
|
|
Picnics for little people
– rather than forcing them to sit through a long
meal, get your venue to make up goodie boxes filled with their
favourite foods, set out some rugs in the corner and let them
have their own space for a few minutes.
|
|
Family History
– instead of a photoboard, ask family members to bring
along any photos they have of family weddings. Display them
all on a table for people to look at.
|
|
Jar lanterns –
another form of recycling! Save all your empty coffee, spaghetti
sauce and jam jars. Tied colour co-ordinating ribbons around
them, add candles into each one and place in large groups in
the corners of rooms. Even IKEA couldn’t do it cheaper!
|
| |
© 2004 Tamryn Kirby. All rights reserved. |