Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Weddings With Eclectic Charm

You are not just like everybody else, so why would you want your wedding to look like everybody else's? Set your wedding apart from the pack with unique details which showcase your personal style. This is how to infuse your wedding with an eclectic charm.
The decor is your first opportunity to put your personal stamp on your wedding. A fantastic way to add an eclectic appeal to your wedding decorations is with antiques or vintage items. Think "shabby chic" - in other words, things with character are more important than perfection. Some unique venues may already have some of these items on hand, but you can also source them yourself at vintage shops, thrift stores, flea markets, yard sales, and maybe even your own attic.
There are a number of vintage pieces to consider using for your wedding decorations. Keep in mind that smaller pieces will have the most impact when used in (mis-matched) multiples. You could line a hallway with old mirrors in different shapes and sizes. Set up your escort cards on a painted antique dresser. Or gather an assortment of vases, jelly jars, or wooden boxes to use for centerpiece vessels. When creating a collection, look for pieces that work in harmony, but do not worry about them "matching".

Naturally the bride will want her ensemble to reflect the same eclectic charm. Choose a bridal gown which is a bit offbeat or personalize a simple gown by adding customized embellishments. Handcrafted bridal jewelry with a vintage flair would be lovely or have fun layering and mixing bridal jewelry which is handcrafted with pearls and crystals. A dash of color in your wedding jewelry is a great way to add personality to your attire. For the bridal bouquet, think beyond the standard flowers and look for a unique element to set your bouquet apart. An unexpected element like silver charms dangling from the bouquet handle or your grandmother's favorite colorful old "paste" brooch wired in among the flowers would really make a splash.
The wedding music is an often overlooked way to infuse a wedding with charm and character. Ditch the d.j. for a bluegrass band or folk music. Instead of the Electric Slide, lure guests to the dance floor with contra dancing. If your personal style of charm comes from the country, hire a square dance caller to liven up the reception. Or choose a fun retro inspired band. As long as the music is good for dancing and the bride and groom are genuinely enthusiastic about it, it is sure to be great. If you fear losing the crowd with a style of music too far from the usual, consider having a more standard wedding band or d.j. and introduce your favorite music as a special feature for a limited time during the reception.
The wedding food offers another chance to bring that great eclectic style to your event. The key is to serve up the foods that you really love, rather than worrying about if they are fancy enough. In fact, the comfort food trend at weddings was born of this philosophy, and it has turned out to be a big hit with guests. So serve the foods that your Nana used to make or that you discovered as a couple while vacationing somewhere together. Your guests will be delighted to have a meal which is really tasty and full of meaning, instead of one more plate of "beef or chicken". Great food will be the perfect addition to a fantastically eclectic and personal wedding.

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