Any brides out there have a Pinterest? I wish that website had existed when I was planning my wedding! I find so many adorable ideas every day that make me want to start planning a vow renewal. I was totally clueless about incorporating fun traditions into my wedding, so here are some charming ideas to incorporate into your wedding day to make it extra special for those who are nearest to your heart.
Mother
A double frame makes a wonderful gift for your mother. On one side, use a picture of you and your mother when you were a little girl and on the other, a picture of you together on your wedding day—hugging, getting ready together or something like that. For an extra-special touch, have the frame engraved to read, “I’ll always be your little girl.”
Father
If you wear a blusher veil, it is traditional to give it to your father after your wedding day, as a memento of that moment in your lives. A shadow box is a cute way to display this gift, along with a portrait of you walking down the aisle or having your father-daughter dance during the reception.
Fiancé
Secretly do a boudoir portrait session in your bridal lingerie and frame your favorite portrait. Hide it for him to find on your wedding morning with a little love note. This will be a wonderful surprise for him to enjoy that day and for many years to come. Boudoir sessions are extremely tasteful and fun! The shoot comes with makeup and hair and also includes an album for the groom. Boudoir not your thing? How about a fun glamor shoot! Not the pageant glamor but fun, contemporary shots you'll treasure forever. Those shoots also include hair and makeup. .
Maid of Honor
A framed portrait of you together on your wedding day with a necklace or a gift card to a spa is the perfect thank you to your maid of honor. Have each bride’s maid sign the sole of your shoe before the ceremony for good luck. Whoever’s name is darkest by the end of the day will be married next.
Best Man
An engraved flask, a box of cigars or a nice set of cufflinks are all thoughtful gestures to give to the best man in your wedding. Be sure to get a portrait of all the groomsmen and the groom doing a toast. This makes a wonderful framed gift to give to each, along with a handwritten thank you card.
Flower Girl
An engraved locket is a wonderful gift for your flower girl. Alternately, a charming music box would also be cherished for years to come. Take a picture with your flower girl, and wait until her wedding day to give it to her, along with a heartfelt message about how proud you are to see her grow into a beautiful woman.
Future Children
Save a few bottles of wine from your wedding (depending on how many children you plan to have) and box each one up with a picture of you and your husband on your wedding day, as well as a heartfelt, handwritten message. This makes a wonderful gift many years down the road on your children’s wedding day.
Anniversary
Save the top tier of your wedding cake and freeze it until your one year anniversary. This makes for a wonderfully romantic memento from your wedding day. Check with the bakery providing your cake because some now provide a free cake on your one-year anniversary that is the size of the top layer of your wedding cake. Much better than eating stale, frozen cake! :)
For that big 25, use one of those bottles of wine that you set aside for your kids, if you have extras!
For your 50th, go to the place you were married and renew your vows in front of your closest and most dear family and friends. Be sure to save your shoes, veil and dress, wrapping them in linen and storing them in an airtight, watertight place. If you don’t end up renewing your vows in them, a daughter or granddaughter might love to wear it again.
Other fun ideas include:
First Look
This is a great way to let go of the stress of group photos. So many couples struggle with wanting to maintain that old tradition of not seeing each other before the ceremony but wanting to get those group photos out of the way. I've photographed a couple who did a First Look privately with one another and it was beautiful! The groom gave the bride meaningful gifts and a card. Each couple has to make the right decision for themselves, but I suggest the bride and groom discussing it and deciding for themselves, no one else. Don't want to give up the tradition of waiting until the ceremony to see one another? Try a "blind" first look. The bride can stand behind a door and hold hands with her groom while they read letters written to one another for the big day.
Vows
Don't want to right your own vows? Talk to your officiant about you and the groom writing letters to one another. If you don't feel like you can read them aloud, ask the officiant to do it for you. That adds a nice personal touch to the ceremony.
There are tons and tons and tons of ideas on
Pinterest! Need an invite? Comment on my
Facebook Page and I'll send you one.
Happy wedding planning!
