Creative ways to personalize your wedding

Because the push to be unique is increasing important to our brides, here are some of the more creative ideas we have seen.

• If yours is a smaller wedding, consider including a personal note with the invitation.

• With help from the US Postal Service you can create your own stamp.

• Stats have shown that social invitations are opened more frequently on Saturdays. Time your invitation mailings to arrive on Saturday if possible. You’ll receive more RSVP responses.

• Pick a monogram and use it throughout the planning process.

• One wedding planner suggests choosing a unique start time for the ceremony. For example use the date you met (5:23) or the date you got engaged (7:04) or other key dates in your lives.

• Take lots of photos during your engagement and pre wedding planning period and use them as table decorations at the reception.

• Create an entrance at the wedding – something that says WOW and let’s guests know they have arrived.

• Include your parents by having their wedding photos on display at the reception. Include grandparent photos too if they are available.

• To keep everything moving, plan a “surprise” for guests at the reception every 30 minutes.

• If you are planning a Dessert Station at your reception, ask family cooks to bring a dozen or two of their favorite treats. These will add variety to the selection and invest family in the reception.