Most Recent Obsessions

I'm always trying to find a way to bring new ideas to weddings. Recently I stumbled across some blogs with Real Weddings that wove in elements that I'm dying to steal!

Eastern Shore Crab Feast Wedding with Home Brewed Mead and Beer. I'm not even sure I need to explain why this is the greatest wedding ever. Being a Marylander, the sight of Chesapeake Bay Oysters, cooked crabs in a basket, corn on the cob and fried chicken is the ultimate feast fit for royalty. But the addition of a table full of friends' and familys' home brewed libations is not only adorable and smart, but it brings in an element that personalizes this wedding more than anything else possibly could. I instantly smell the salty air of the ocean, the breeze making the bride's veil float a bit and the down home bluegrass band playing in the background. What a perfect day!

A Comic Book Save the Date. This is a seriously fun way to work in that nerdy side of your groom without having to include it in your Black Tie wedding reception, everyone wins. The way that they worked it into the context of their Alice in Wonderland themed wedding was especially great. It isn't always easy to add such an element of whimsy, brides are afraid of being teased... but come on, how often do you get a Save-the-Date that your boyfriend or husband HAD to show to every guy friend he has?

Charitable favors. I can't say this is a brand new idea, it's been around in various forms for a while I'm sure, but I feel as though it's making it's way into the mainstream and I love it. Raise your hand if you've ever gotten a wedding favor that was super memorable and truly counted as an addition to the event for you as a guest. I have seen some couples go over board and provide a bottle of wine or whiskey (yep, saw that, I swear) for their guests, which would be lovely I'm sure, but I would personally tell that couple to save the money to put towards their honeymoon or a down payment for a house! Aside from somewhat rare exceptions, you're going to end up walking away with an adorable container of candy, a candle of some kind or a cute little knick-knack that you promptly lose and never think about again. So why not choose to make a donation in each of your guests' names to a charity you love? If you're having a hometown wedding, maybe there is a historical society or community outreach project you can donate to, or you could donate to a cause that's more personal to you, maybe a research foundation that works with a disease a loved one of yours died from and you would like to honor them. I've even been hearing about some people donating to political organizations that promote marriage equality, hoping to help those who aren't able to marry in front of their family and friends (although this one is a bit politically charged, so you may want to avoid being this controversial). Get creative and let your wedding day be the happiest day of a favorite charity's as well!