Tip - Take Care Of Your Parents

Your parents helped raise you to be the responsible, happy adult that you are and are here to share your special day. Consider doing something special for them before the wedding. If it's a spa day or just having room service deliver them breakfast with the morning paper. It would be a nice gesture to them to receive some pampering, no matter how small. They will be grateful and more relaxed for the important parts of your day.

Photo provided by Sharpe Photographers

Trend - Beautiful Boutonnieres

Ask your florist about doing boutonnieres for key men at your wedding that aren't in the wedding party. If you have an uncle that you are close to that's traveling to share your day, consider this simple touch to show him how much you appreciate him being there.

Photo provided by Profinish Design

Tip - Take Stock Of Family Decor

Take stock of your and your family's candlesticks and holders to see if you can find an eclectic style that fits your wedding day style, without having to rent or buy.

Photo provided by The Memory Journalists

Tip - Bring Out The Classics

If you have a family member or friend with a classic car hiding under a cover, ask them if you can use it as your wedding day transportation. They will most likely be honored that you asked and be able to score some great pics of their classic beauty.

Photo provided by Allison Stahl Photography

Tip - Bring Out The Family Time Piece

Tell your soon-to-be to break out that family heirloom time piece he's been protecting. Your wedding is a great time to use it, share it with the family and snap a few memorable pics of it. If you look back, you may find a wedding day pic of the original family owner using it on his wedding day!Photo provided by Allison Stahl Photography

Tip - Treat Your Moms

Ladies, treat your moms and moms-to-be to a relaxing day at J Christiaan Spa & Salon in Granite Bay. You could make a mothers & daughter day out of it! J Christiaan Spa & Salon is offering a gift certificate package for $140 including:

eucalyptus steam
60 minute facial of your choice
60 minute swedish massage

Only $140!! Call now to get your gift certificate or book appointments @ 916.774.0440.

Trend - Welcome Notes

While we've mentioned the kind gesture of gift baskets for guests as they arrive, sometimes this can be costly. A nice note welcoming Uncle Greg and thanking him for traveling all the way from Nebraska to share your special day can add a sweet personal touch that gets the message across. They will be honored that you took the time.Photo provided by Stephanie J Designs

Tip - Include Traveling Family

If you have family traveling from afar, invite them to the rehearsal dinner, if fiscally feasible. If you have guests that had to fly to come celebrate your nuptials, you will want to spend as much time with them as possible since you rarely see them. Inviting them to the rehearsal dinner is not a must, but it's a courteous way to say thanks for traveling to be with us. Keep in mind the relative chain, meaning that you can't invite one aunt and not the other without feelings being hurt. Invite one and invite them all or invite neither.

Yummy bread pudding pictured, by Sugar and Spice and...
Photo provided by The Memory Journalists

Tip - Consider Hankies

You know that your moms will be emotional on your big day. Consider gifting monogrammed handkerchiefs to the moms of the happy couple so they can catch their joyous tears in their treasured keepsake.

Photos courtesy of Bumblebee Linens

Tip - Crest Incorporated

Does your fiance's family have a meaningful family crest? Consider incorporating it into the wedding day. A cake topper, crest projected onto the walls or floor, your paper goods, etc.

Image courtesy of Coat of Arms

Tip - Creative Ceremony

If there are people that you want involved in your day that break tradition, remember that tradition is only a guideline, not a rule. If you are more comfortable having your brother walk you down the aisle, don't worry about the logistics of him being in the wedding party and escorting you. The most important part is including those that mean the most to you and your fiance on your big day. How things look is not a concern, it's how you feel in that moment that's important. Follow your heart.

Photo provided by The Memory Journalists

Trend - You're A Star

Many couples and/or their families and friends are sharing pieces of their lives together in a video montage to share with all. Some couples are going the extra mile to include their guests by trying to add at least one photo of each guest. You could add it towards the end of your slideshow, with a brief screen that says "Thank you for sharing our special day" and then follows with pics of each guests. Too cool!Photo provided by The Memory Journalists

Trend - Say I Do To The Outdoors

For those couples that enjoy the outdoors, consider reciting your nuptials with the sun peaking down at you over expansive trees with nature as your key decor element for your big day. Check out rentmycamp.com to find campsites near and far that are available for event rental. Imagine combining the two things you love; family and the outdoors and making this a mini-vaca for all those involved. Many locations include lodging, food and camp activities in the rental price.
(Just be sure to add bug spray to your wedding day emergency kit ;))

Tip - Share Your Favorite Memories

If your mom or grandma used to make homemade treats for you as a kid that were special to you, ask them to make some for your wedding day guests. You could offer them at the reception or as the wedding day favors. It may seem like a big undertaking, but you may be surprised at how honored they are that their treats meant that much to you. You could also enlist some other family members to help, if mom or grandma are willing to share their secret recipe. ;)
Photo courtesy of Allison Stahl Photography

Trend - Vacation Wedding

Couples want to share their experience with those closest to them by making their wedding day into a vacation for all. Plan a wedding at a destination location where you can spend the days leading up to and after with your family and friends. This will mean more to you and them then spending a few hours with them one day.

Photo courtesy of The Memory Journalists

Tip - Take Notes

Family members and friends will have a lot of advice and suggestions as to how you can make sure your wedding day is a success. You will receive requested and also unsolicited advice. Take note of all the advice given, never making promises you may not follow through with. Save everyone's pieces of wisdom and use those that apply to you. Voice gratefulness to all those offering suggestions because they are trying to help.

Photo courtesy of Allison Stahl Photography

Tip - Personalized Family Seating

Adding a colorful floral ball to the back of important family members chairs with an escort card is a great welcome for those closest to you. They will be honored and will have a personal keepsake from your special day.

Photo courtesy of The Knot

Tip - Make Your Venue Accessible To All

If you have any elderly or handicapped family members or guests attending your wedding, make sure that the ceremony or reception site is not too far for those to walk or get around. If the distance is far or awkward, be sure to discuss options with your venue coordinator.

Photo courtesy of Profinish Design

Ask Marvin - Processional Predicament

Dear Marvin,
I'm not close with my family except my mom. Is it weird if I ask someone on my fiance's side to walk me down the aisle? I feel closer to his family than I do my own.

Processionally Perplexed

Dear Processionally Perplexed,
The tradition of having someone walk you down the aisle to give you away is not absolutely necessary. As with all wedding traditions, there are many modifications to the original that can be made to make it specific to your day. You can walk down by yourself, signifying your independence or have your groom meet you halfway down the aisle. You can also ask your mom to walk you down the aisle, which she will surely be honored to do. If you want a member of your fiance's family to escort you, discuss it with your soon-to-be groom to see how he feels before approaching the family member. You have many options to make your ceremony intimate and personal. List all your options and then discuss them with your fiance.

Marvin

Photo courtesy of Sharpe Photographers

Survey Says - Did You Get Help With Your Budget?

Did you get help from friends and/or family with respect to budget?

My mother gave me $15,000 towards the event. – Michelle, married March 2007

Yes, both dad’s helped. - Melanie, married June 2007

Yes, my father paid for the entire wedding day. My husband’s parents paid for the honeymoon and rehearsal dinner (not included in the budget) and my mother paid for all the excursion the week before the wedding (not included in the budget). – Lauren, married May 2007

Both sides of our families were able to contribute to our wedding, which was very helpful and much appreciated. Also, my mom made decorative table runners out of a fabric I chose. Not only did that help us save on decorative costs, but I have beautiful mementos of our wedding to use for decoration in our own home. The runners also made perfect gifts for family and friends after the wedding! – Amanda, married October 2007

My parents helped with most of our wedding, and my mother-in-law helped with the rehearsal dinner and also gave a little bit extra to help out. – Julie, married September 2007

Photo courtesy of The Memory Journalists