First off, the term ghetto does not refer to a location, but to a new culture trend that incorporates a multitude of ethnicities, backgrounds, income levels, and attitudes. Ghetto weddings are for those who don’t take themselves too seriously.

For example, if you are were to attend a wedding in which the groom’s party were dressed up in gold lamé, sequined, and outrageously colorful Elvis costumes complete with wigs and sunglasses, you might say that you have invited to a “ghetto wedding”.  Ghetto parties have become increasingly popular through high schools and colleges around the country. The term ghetto applies to all races and cultures and has no relationship to the traditional definition of the term. To put it simply, ghetto is not where you live; it’s how you live. It personifies and exhibits popular trends and behaviors derived from the hip-hop culture, such as outrageous clothing, makeup, and lots of bling or anything that can be considered over-the-top or ostentatious.

According to the Internet and some Ghetto-Wedding websites, some humorous clues that you’ve been invited to a ghetto wedding include:

One of the members of the party had on sunglasses
There were more than 40 people in the wedding party
The vocalist didn’t know the words to the songs
The groomsmen had his tux leg rolled up
The couple’s first dance was to a song by Puff Daddy or Lil’ Kim

Of course, these are some of the most popular generalizations that serve as amusing indications of exactly what a ghetto wedding may be. Often likened to hillbilly or redneck humor, many couples who decide to throw a ghetto wedding are liberally and literally poking fun at today’s trends and fads as a way to provide an amusing and humorous look at the behaviors of a multitude of cultures.

Mainstream teens, adults, and even seniors now enjoy hip-hop culture trends, and younger generations consider ghetto parties and ghetto weddings a way to publicly engage in outrageous or ostentatious behavior that flaunts the limits of traditional expectations and expected patterns of behavior.

So whether you want to offer Kool-Aid in the reception punch bowl, or wear a Santa Claus wedding down or get married at a car show, couples around the country are breaking away from traditions of generations past and learning how to express themselves with humor and entertainment, even when it comes to exchanging their wedding vows.

Guest books can be a nice addition to your wedding ceremony.  They’re pretty, they’re traditional, and are a lovely keepsake.  Not only that, but they give you an opportunity to involve a friend or family member in the ceremony by entrusting them with the responsibility of facilitating the guest book signing.

However, some people want to have something a little bit more unique to commemorate the people who came to share in their day.  If you are in that situation, there are several unique ideas you can use that will help to make the day your own.

One idea is to create a wedding wishes scrapbook.  When guests initially enter the venue, they have a Polaroid photo taken of them.  This will be placed on one page of the scrapbook.  The guests will also, at a point in the day that makes sense, be given a paper or card to write a meaningful note to the happy couple.  Depending on the size of the paper or card and the size of the scrapbook page, this will either be placed lower on the same page as the picture, or, if that won’t fit, on the facing page.

Another idea is to have a beautiful photograph of the two of you with matting that is four or five inches wide for guests to sign.  This is particularly nice because it gives the couple a keepsake that they can actually display by hanging on the wall of their home after the wedding.

If you are a young, modern couple, you can have a guest book with a technical twist!  You can have an audio or video guest book where people can leave you their messages.  This can be in addition to or instead of a traditional guest book or one of the other alternate ideas.  The great thing about this idea is that people often feel more comfortable expressing themselves verbally than in writing, so you are apt to get some very lovely and sincere messages that you would never have gotten had you limited the guests to writing.

A particularly cozy idea is to have your guests sign fabric panels with fabric paint pens, which will later be assembled into a quilt that you can use for display purposes – or to snuggle under with your honey!  If you do plan to use it and subsequently wash it, however, you will need to make sure that you use paint pens with washable, permanent ink, otherwise the quilt will lose the messages when you wash it, and that would be heartbreaking.

You can also have a pre-fired ceramic plate or bowl that guests sign with special ceramic paint pens.  These can both be ordered online.  After the ceremony, you can have the piece fired to make the comments permanent.  Again, this provides you with a display-ready keepsake that will last forever.

As with any part of your ceremony, it really comes down to what fits the personality of the bride and groom.  You need to keep looking for original ideas, discussing, and don’t settle on one until you find one that excites and feels right to both of you!

Throwing rice at weddings is one of the most iconic parts of the ceremony – the ideas of weddings and throwing rice are almost inextricably intertwined.  However, if you are looking for something different, there are lots of alternatives. Although, I will note, that the urban legend about rice exploding in bird’s stomachs is just that – an urban legend.  So hopefully, if throwing rice is what you wanted, you won’t abandon the idea based on that.  However, you might not want to be continually explaining the lack of danger to guests throughout the reception, so you still may want to choose an alternative.

THROWING FLOWER PETALS – Many people throw rose petals, which is gorgeous, but if roses don’t fit in with the theme or budget of your ceremony, the petals of any kind of flower would work well.  Speak with a florist to determine which flowers fit within your budget and would work well for this purpose.

RELEASING BUTTERFLIES – This is a gorgeous and colorful alternative to rice throwing.  Each guest is given a small box or envelope that contains a live butterfly.  As the couple walks through, the guests open their boxes and a colorful swarm of live butterflies take flight.   It’s certainly a great photo op!

BLOWING BUBBLES – Another visually appealing alternative to throwing rice is blowing bubbles.  Each guest is given a small bottle with bubble liquid inside and the circular plastic ring embedded in the cap.  Not only is it aesthetically pleasing while all the guests are blowing the bubbles, but it also leaves each guest with a keepsake to take home from your wedding.

SPARKLERS – If your wedding is at night and if zoning permits, you can have each guest holding a lit sparkler.  This is a very powerful visual statement.

CONFETTI – This is a colorful option.  The great thing about confetti is that if it is not available for purchase in the color that you want, you can always make it yourself from colored paper with fun shaped confetti punchers which are available at craft stores.

RINGING BELLS – Although it will clearly bring some “It’s a Wonderful Life” inspired comments of “Every time a bell rings, an angel gets its wings,” this is a great rice-throwing alternative, particularly if you have a bell-themed wedding.  It also works well for venues that don’t allow throwing of any objects on the grounds.

STREAMERS – This is similar to the confetti option, but it creates an entirely different visual look.  The long, curling streams of colored paper create a strong visual that would look fantastic in photos.

BALLOONS – Releasing balloons is yet another visually powerful statement.  A fun twist on this idea is to have your guests write good wishes for you on their balloons before releasing them.

DOVES – The downside to releasing a pair of doves as the couple exits is that each guest does not get to participate, but it is a beautiful and symbolic gesture.

These are some great alternatives to rice-throwing, but keep in mind – anything that can be thrown, basically, can be used.  So the only limit is your imagination!

Thirty years ago, wedding ceremonies were largely the same.  The places that were available to the bride and groom to show their personalities were the color choices, the flower arrangements, and the decorations.  The ceremonies were basically the same, with little variation.

That is no longer the case at all!  Today, your ceremony can have innumerable personal touches.  In fact, if it appeals to you, you can basically create the ceremony from scratch to suit you.  The possibilities are endless.

PERSONALIZED VOWS - To many couples, the heart of the ceremony is the vows, so personalization would begin there.  Writing your own vows doesn’t have to be intimidating or scary – just speak from the heart.  It doesn’t have to be perfect, it just has to express your feelings.  If putting words down in writing on your own is particularly difficult for you. However, you can always choose a passage of prose or poetry that is particularly meaningful to the two of you or that you feel captures what’s in your soul in a way that is specific and special.

LOCATION - The location you choose is another thing that can make the day your own.  Weddings absolutely do not need to be in a church – they can be in a place that is personally meaningful to the two of you!  It can be in a place where you met, or had your first kiss.  A place where you spend a lot of time, or even in your own home or the home of a family member!

UNIQUE RITUALS – There are many special rituals you can include in the ceremony itself that will make the day unique.  Unity ceremonies (unity candle, sand ceremony, wine box ceremony), photo montages, first communion, readings, special songs – all of these things express your uniqueness as individuals and as a couple.

PERSONAL STORIES – One really great idea is to have a microphone set up at the reception, and invite guests to either share a reading or tell a personal story about one or both individuals in the couple.  Even if guests are reticent at the beginning, they will warm up as they see more and more people participating.  The stories will range anywhere from hilarious to poignant, and having that emotional spectrum represented can be a special part of your day.  Make sure that you have someone videotaping the stories so that it becomes a beautiful keepsake.

UNIQUE CHOICE OF OFFICIANT – The age of the internet has opened up a whole new world of possibilities when it comes to officiants because pretty much anyone can become ordained online now.  If you want to go that route, you, possibly in conjunction with your possible officiant, will need to research the legal requirements in your state for people performing weddings, and make sure all of the paperwork is filed on time.  Then you should be golden!

These are just a few ideas of things you can do to make your day your own.  Hopefully this will be a great jumping off point for you to brainstorm some ideas that come straight from your own head and heart so that your wedding is truly your day, your way.

Are rising wedding costs bringing you down? Choosing an off-season wedding may be just the thing you need to have the wedding of your dreams and still stay within your budget.

The most popular wedding dates are in the late spring and summer. Unfortunately, these dates also come with a hefty price tag. Wedding vendors are well aware that this is the busiest season and they can charge much higher rates during these times and brides and grooms (or their parents) will happily pay for them. Often, wedding venues will have a minimum charge for weddings held during the peak season months.

Wedding vendors are also busy during the peak season and you may have a hard time securing your favorites. Many well-known photographers are booked months ahead of time for the popular wedding dates. If you are not organized about this, you may miss out and not be able to get the wedding vendor that you truly want.

But frugal brides know that having an off-season wedding could save you fifty percent or more off the cost of your wedding!

Because wedding venues are so desperate for your business during the fall and winter months, there are likely to be no minimum charges. They are also more likely to throw in a few extras such as a room for the couple (if at a hotel), or an extra bottle of champagne. You also have more bargaining power. A venue’s space is likely to go unused during the fall and winter months (with Christmas and New Years being an exception), so they may be more willing to negotiate a lower price for you.

Furthermore, other wedding vendors are less busy during the off-season and they too will fight for your business. Photographers, caterers and musicians in particular will try to underbid each other. You are likely to get the exact vendor that you want for a fraction of what you’d pay during the peak season.

You also will not have to fight for your guests’ attention. Spring and summer are busy times for almost everyone—it’s when most people plan their vacations and have a lot of weddings to go to. If you hold your wedding during a fall or winter month, your guests are more likely to be able to come.

Spring and summer are indeed great times to have a wedding, but when you compare the cost of having your wedding during the peak-season vs. off-season, the fall and winter start to not look so bad.

Herman Melville, in his epic novel Moby Dick, stated that there is a longing in all people for the sea, that human beings are drawn to it.  It very well might be this very longing that has spurred the rise in recent years of beach-theme weddings, both by couples that live near the ocean and those that do not.

When planning a beach-theme wedding, one thing to remember is not to go over the top!  There are thousands of resources available online, but don’t get carried away.  Remember, the idea is to give your guests the hint of the sea, not make them feel like they are drowning in the ocean.

INVITATIONS – Start off the theme before the wedding even begins by mailing out invitations with a beach or nautical theme.  This can be as simple as having a seashell embossed on each invitation.  There are many resources online where you can order these, and many shops have an extensive selection of styles.

LOCATIONS – Of course, it is not necessary for a beach-theme wedding to actually be held on the beach, but it is possible.  Many couples every year have simple and beautiful ceremonies on the beach.  If you would like a ceremony near the ocean but not actually on the sand, alternatives are to search for venues that have an ocean view.  Lastly, if you are located far inland and you are not interested in having a destination wedding, remember that, through the use of details, you can still evoke a beach theme without actually being at the beach.

FAVORS & PLACEHOLDERS – Making your favors a beach theme is a must.  There are lots of options, including shell-shaped candles, seashell-etched glass coasters, seashell-shaped soap gift packs (hint – these are easy to make yourself!), small frames shaped like Adirondack chairs, or sailboat-shaped candle holders.  If you live near the beach, particularly if you have a small congregation, one free option is just to collect beautiful seashells and place them at the tables as favors.  If you have time, you could even include a small note with each shell, explaining why you chose it for that person.

WINE CHARMS -  If you are not familiar with wine charms, they are small trinkets attached to a hoop that people put around the bottom of their wine glass to distinguish it as theirs among the others at the table.  They can be quite intricate and beautiful.  The most common beach-theme wine charms are ones made from blown glass or pewter, and they are widely available online.

OUT OF TOWN BAGS – For a fun beach twist on your out of town bags, make sure to include coupons to a local seafood restaurant for your guests to enjoy!

Remember, proximity to the ocean does not have to determine whether or not you will have the beach-theme wedding of your dreams.  You can easily create the feeling of the beach through beach or nautical details, even if you live in the Midwest.  It’s all in the imagination and the planning.

Theme weddings are becoming increasingly popular, and they can be a fun alternative to a traditional ceremony. As with anything, a hint is better than a shout – in other words, don’t get carried away and overdo it!

TIME PERIOD THEME WEDDINGS – The wonderful thing about this idea is that it’s so unlimited! Any historical period that interests you and your fiance can be made to be the theme of your wedding. Medieval and Renaissance themes are popular, as are Gone with the Wind period themes, Wild West themes, and Victorian Themes. Also, any decade from the early- to mid-twentieth century are going to be popular themes, especially the twenties, the forties, and the fifties.

ASIAN THEME WEDDINGS – With the abundance of accessories available online for Asian theme weddings, my suggestion would be to adopt the “less is more” approach and suggest the essence of an Asian theme by incorporating shoji screens, candleholders, Asian symbols, and subtle fans in the design.

WINTER WONDERLAND THEME WEDDINGS – If your wedding is in the heart of winter, why not celebrate that fact with beautiful sculptures of ice crystals and snowflakes incorporated into the design? Along with white, you can also incorporate gorgeous thick heavy fabrics like velvets in rich, deep colors like burgundy and forest green.

FAIRY TALE PRINCESS THEME WEDDINGS – What little girl hasn’t dreamed of being a fairy tale princess on her wedding day? With a fairy tale princess theme, you can incorporate a castle shaped cake, leaving the church in a horse-drawn carriage, and many other details that will make the day seem like the perfect fairy tale and make you feel like the beautiful princess that you are.

SPORTS THEME WEDDINGS – These are very popular when both members of a couple are passionately devoted to one particular sports team. They range from the simple act of making the team colors the wedding colors to a full theme wedding with a theme cake and favors, etc. to actually arranging to have the ceremony at the ballpark.

FALL THEME WEDDINGS – For a Fall wedding, an autumn theme can be gorgeous. You can express this theme through color choices and the use of big, beautiful, colorful leaves throughout the décor.

GARDEN THEME WEDDINGS – A garden theme wedding is most apt to be held, as you might imagine, in a garden. However, if that is not possible, this theme can be suggested through use of lots of bright flowers and white picket fence decoration in the favors, cake, etc.

GOLDEN AGE OF HOLLYWOOD THEME WEDDINGS – For this theme, you would want to evoke the glamour of Hollywood in the silent films era. You want to be the Douglas Fairbanks and Mary Pickford of your own wedding. You can research period clothing at the library, and the Hollywood sign would make a great idea for a cake or groom’s cake (but remember, it said “Hollywoodland” back then!).

If you are going to have a theme wedding, have fun with it. Make sure it is a theme that feels right for both you and your fiance, and then have a blast choosing accessories that will express your theme!