Weddings Beyond The Ordinary – Travel, Tradition, and Renewal

Many brides and grooms-to-be are asking, what are the best destination wedding places? While important, this is not the only question to consider. For those mulling over far-off places and faraway outdoor wedding venues for their big day, it is also necessary to consider a number of other details that many people forget. Here are just a few:

Get Creative With Transportation

Every year, Americans spend up to $72 billion on weddings. A large portion of that undoubtedly comes from destination weddings. While transportation is a concern no matter where you get married, it’s a lot more complicated when everyone is flying to a remote location. Remember that you’ll have to factor in the expense of transportation to and from the hotel and any places you may go before and after the wedding. As for the day of the wedding, many industry experts recommend fun and sophisticated beach buggies, if you opt for a tropical, Caribbean, or beach wedding.

Carefully Consider What to Wear

Let’s say that, as with some of the most popular and the very best destination wedding places, you land on a beachside wedding. Beach weddings can be enviably beautiful, but there are some practicalities to think about. One of the biggest challenges can be deciding what the bride, as well as everyone else, should wear. Most industry experts seem to agree that a dress with a short hem and light fabric is best. Keep in mind that it will be just about impossible to walk in heels on the sand. Opt for flats, sandals, or wedges. “The more surface area the sole of your shoes has, the easier it will be to walk,” Lori Conley, a senior buyer at David’s Bridal, recommends. Men, feel free to wear flip flops, and choose lighter colored suits (or light-colored button-downs or polos for a more informal event). At any rate, more people equate “nice wedding places” with the outdoors. Plan ahead when it comes to attire, and make sure to adequately warn guests so they will know what to wear or what not to wear, too.

Destination weddings take a little bit of extra planning. Don’t forget about all of the nuances of transportation, and wear appropriate attire, even if it’s a little less formal.

Wedding Customs From Around the World

No matter where you travel on this spinning blue globe, wedding celebrations are a big deal. Customs vary from country to country, but one constant remains: love, loyalty, family, and, of course, fun. Need some unique ideas to help bring an international flair to your own nuptials? Take your cues from these traditions from around the world.

China

During the course of the wedding celebration, the bride changes gowns a number of times, proving to all in attendance that her family is successful and wealthy enough to afford the bride’s finery. For the ceremony, the bride dons a traditional crimson full-length, long-sleeve dress with gold detailing. Rituals are different depending on the region, but almost all of them include a tea ceremony. Directly after the ceremony, the couple serves tea to the bride’s and groom’s parents, starting with the groom’s family, as a way of honoring their families. Think of this as the Chinese equivalent of the wedding reception. Some tea ceremonies take place at private homes, others at banquet halls.

India

Traditional Indian and Hindu weddings are laden with a multitude of customs, some more complicated than others. They generally involve the chanting and singing of ancient Vedic hymns and following detailed rituals, like the bride and groom’s recitation of the Seven Vows. The bride’s bridal outfit, orlehenga, is as ornate as the rituals, dripping with jewels, sequins, and crystals. The lehenga’s colors are usually jewel tones with gold and silver metallic accents, but the bride can opt for white, if she so chooses.

Spain

Spanish weddings are boisterous, lively affairs that usually begin in the evening with the ceremony, followed by revelry into the wee hours of the next morning. Firecrackers burst, and guests throw rose petals after “I Do” has been said in order to celebrate the union of the happy couple. During the ceremony, the groom presents the bride with 13 coins to symbolize the union not only of their souls, but also their resources. The bride wears a satin black floor-length gown with a long black veil hoisted high on her head. These days, however, brides are choosing white gowns instead of black, as well as opting for the presence of bridesmaids and groomsmen, whereas in the old Spanish tradition, there were none. One Spanish wedding tradition that hasn’t changed is that the bride, groom, and families of both are celebrated and held in the highest regard. After all, there’s no better way for a couple to start a new life together than surrounded by the love and admiration of friends and family, a custom found in every country in the world, including our own.

Unique Ways to Renew Your Vows

Many couples turn to vow-renewal ceremonies as a way to reaffirm their love and commitment to one another – and also as a way to kick back with friends and family and party. If you’re considering renewing your vows, here are a few tips on how to Renew Your Vows and help make your event extra special.

• Include your kids. Renewing vows is about your commitment to each other, and it’s also about your commitment to family. Ask your kids to take part, either as wedding party members or behind the scenes – wherever they’re most comfortable.
• Incorporate mementos from your first ceremony. Wear your old veil or carry a bouquet (or for men, wear a boutonniere) using the same flowers as you had in your first ceremony. Decorate with wedding photos or have your wedding video playing in a continuous loop on a big screen.
• Base favors on before-and-after. Use photos from your first wedding to decorate favors or give guests dual photo frames with a picture of you then and now.
• Consider writing your own vows. A lot has happened since your first wedding ceremony, and you’ve probably learned to appreciate your partner on entirely new levels.
• Ditch the cake. If you had a traditional cake the first time around, consider something different this time, like a sundae bar, a cookie bar or decorated cupcakes.
• Donate your gifts. If you’ve been married for awhile, chances are you have plenty of stuff. Instead of gifts, make your wedding really special by asking guests to bring items such as canned goods or pet food that can be donated to local charities, or request that donations be sent to an organization that’s near and dear to your hearts.

At Renaissance, our event planners have lots of experience helping couples plan their special days. Schedule a consultation and learn all the ways you can make your vow-renewal ceremony a memorable and meaningful day for all.