2024 West Georgia Woman Magazine Bridal Issue

Photo by Zachary Dailey, Dailey Life Photography

Jenna Burton and Bailey Christol Gown and Bridesmaid Dress: DownTown Gowns,

Finding our voice. Knowing our value.

Making a difference.

West Georgia Woman is a voice for and about the women who live and work in West Georgia.

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Bridal Guide Editorial Shala Hainer

Photo: Zachary Dailey, Dailey Life Photography

Dress: DownTown Gowns, Carrollton, Ga.

Hair and makeup: Indulge Salon and Day Spa, Carrollton, Ga.

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Signature Cocktails

Raise the bar with a unique specialty drink

Your wedding is all about you. As the bride, it’s your day – and maybe a little bit for the groom here and there. To pull off the most memorable day that gives your guests a deeper look into who you are as a couple, consider including a signature cocktail in your bar menu.

In addition to impressing your guests with some unexpected whimsy, a signature cocktail helps save on your bottom line and creates a fun conversation piece while your friends and family debate how each element in the drink reflects you and your spouse.

Saving Money

There’s a reason buying in bulk is cheaper than single servings, and that translates directly to your signature cocktails. Not that you want your reception to be the Costco of parties, but if you can enhance the experience for your guests and save money at the same time, it’s a win-win for everyone.

Creating a specialty drink means you can buy all the ingredients in bulk and mix them ahead of time, saving money on the ingredients.

It also means you can pinch a few pennies when it comes to bartender labor at the event – if you’re only offering beer, wine and your signature cocktail, for example, you might need fewer bartenders

Photo by Jordan Alexis

to meet the needs of your guests. Conversely, if the bartenders are mixing drinks on order, you must purchase a variety of liquors and mixers and hire enough bartenders to keep the lines moving quickly, which gets costly fast.

When you create your own cocktail, you control the ingredients, minimizing what you need to buy. A good rule is to stick to three ingredients if possible to keep your costs manageable.

Protecting the Palette

When the devil really is in the details, pick your cocktail in part based on the color. Using large, clear dispensers for the cocktail and clear glasses for the guests adds that pop of color throughout the reception.

If blue is one of your wedding colors, for example, use blueberry puree and fresh blueberries as part of your signature cocktail, possibly as part of a hard blueberry lemonade. If pink is more your thing, add a splash of cranberry juice or red grenadine to a vodka soda inspired libation. Blue Curacao mixed with a yellow juice, like pineapple juice, gives you a nice green color.

Meat is our Specialty Specialty Specialty

Picking the Ingredients

The best place to find inspiration when choosing the right ingredients is your favorite cocktail. If you don’t have a favorite drink but have a favorite ingredient, like vodka or orange juice, let that be your base. If there’s a drink or ingredient both you and your fiancé enjoy together, start there. If not, create a list of both of your top three drinks, then see if there’s a way to combine any of the ingredients into a tasty treat.

Alternatively, pick two signature cocktails for your reception – one that represents you, and one for your fiancé.

Use the ingredients to find a playful name for the drink. For example, add a splash of champagne to a traditional mojito and call it the Mint to Be or call the hard blueberry lemonade Something Blue. Another idea is to give it a meaningful name that incorporates where you met or had your first date.

Consider the season as well when planning the ingredients. In the winter, a mulled wine spritzer or a drink with a cranberry base adds seasonal flair. In the summer, fruity drinks might be a hit, including something unexpected like a watermelon concoction. Fall might lend itself to something apple flavored or served with an apple garnish.

Proudly Look at your food offerings at the reception to help guide your cocktail ingredient choices. Steak might require a stout beverage, such as one made with red wine or brown liquor, while vegetarian or fish choices lend themselves to lighter drinks.

Providing Options

Offering only one or two signature cocktails at your wedding gives you the flexibility to change those up a bit and give everyone a choice to satisfy their palates. When thinking about the ingredients, look at those that work well in frozen drinks. That way, you can offer a standard cocktail and a fun, frozen version.

Also consider guests who might prefer not to drink alcohol, and create non-alcoholic versions of the signature drinks. These mocktails should have a similar color and feel to the spiked versions so no one feels singled out.

It might not be possible to match the flavor profile completely, so go for the overall feel instead. Try replacing limoncello with regular lemonade, or champagne with either non-alcoholic sparkling cider or a carbonated lemon-lime soda so all your guests can enjoy the drinks created specifically for you to celebrate your special day. WGW

Vows

AI Powered by

Artificial intelligence brings wedding speeches into the digital age

While English teachers across the country bemoan the creation of artificialintelligence writing platforms, those same platforms might just help you blow your spouse away with your thoughtful and personal wedding vows.

With as many as 80% of couples choosing to write their own wedding vows, the stress of writer’s block can be a real problem. Using an AI system helps calm that anxiety by at least giving you a starting point, even if you tweak the vows the AI creates for you.

How It Works

To ensure your vows are personal, AI wedding vow websites start by asking you to fill out a questionnaire. This typically includes information about where you met, your favorite memories, your first date, activities you enjoy doing together and what you love the most about your soon-to-bespouse.

Answering these questions helps the AI system write your love story in wedding-vow form, usually generated within five minutes. The sites create vows that should take one to five minutes to read, depending on how much information you provided in your questionnaire responses. The more information you provide, the better the AI can create vows that serve as a true reflection of your journey with your groom.

AI gives you options for the style as well. This can be choices like romantic, religious or heartfelt, as well as Shakespeare, pirate or therapist, if you’d like to add some humor or whimsy to the vows.

Expect two to four drafts to choose from, which is handy when you want to pick the pieces you love from different drafts to combine into your perfect set of wedding vows.

The Cost

Most sites range in cost from $29.99 to $35 as of March 2024. You typically have unlimited edits and opportunities to change your questionnaire answers to generate different vows. Many companies offer a money-back guarantee if the vows don’t meet your expectations.

In contrast, hiring a professional wedding vow author often costs around $200, according to Brides.com.

Tips for Better Vows

To create the most heartfelt and unique vows that truly reflect what’s in your heart, be honest and vulnerable when you answer the questions asked by the AI site. Take your time, and think carefully about the questions.

up when I’m sad,” be as specific as possible in your descriptions. For example, you could say, “My feelings are important to him. When I’m sad, he knows what I need to feel better, whether it’s a big hug, a funny joke or a bowl of ice cream.”

AI Wedding Vow Websites

www.toastpal.com

www.provenance.co/vows

www.toastwiz.com

www.bridesmaidforhire.com/wedding-vow-generator

www.withjoy.com

To keep the vows from sounding cheesy or generic, consider these tips:

• Be specific. Instead of using empty words like “always,” such as “he always cheers me

• Balance the vows. Talk to your fiancé about length and tone to ensure you two prepare similar vows. Without sharing details of what you want to say, decide together if they should be one to two minutes, for example, or if you need them to be longer. In many cases, one person wants as short as possible, while the other wants to pour their heart out. This unbalance make the couple and the guests uncomfortable. For the

770.834.2024

mtnoakflorist@att.net

www.mountainoakflorist.com

tone, discuss whether the vows should be funny, sincere, nostalgic or full of promises for the future.

The best vows often include a mix of those, but what you don’t want is to write vows with heartfelt promise only to hear his that only tell embarrassing stories of how you met with one promise at the end to love you forever. If you want to choose a funny writing style, discuss it together to pick the right one that reflects who you are as a couple.

• Review and edit. A computer can never know as much about your relationship as you do. It’s a handy tool to get you over the writer’s block, but it’s unlikely to churn out exactly the right words. The best practice is to take what the tool generates, which can help you put your strong emotions onto paper, and tweak it so it feels personal and authentic.

Cons

While AI-generated vows can be serious time and anxiety savers, they aren’t for everyone. Although the sites don’t typically use templates, certain buzzwords and clichés appear consistently, which sometimes makes the vows sound generic.

The vows are meant to set the tone for the rest of your lives together. Some critics say if you’re not comfortable writing the vows yourself, you lose the human aspect of the writing, so repeating vows provided by the officiant might be a better option.

Other Uses

If you’re comfortable with AI-generated vows, save stress in other areas of your wedding as well. The wedding-centric AI programs assist your bridesmaids and groomsmen with writing their wedding toasts, and parents of the happy couple

with writing speeches they want to share at the rehearsal dinner or reception.

Some AI sites allow the couple to invite people to create wedding toasts and speeches. This enables the bride and groom to have some control over the speeches, such as setting a preferred length of time or adding points the speaker should either include or avoid.

AI also offers a tool that helps you write thank-you notes after the wedding. Plug in the person who gave the gift, what the gift was, additional details if desired (such as whether the person is a family member or friend) and the preferred writing style. When the note is generated, copy and paste it into an email, or handwrite it on a card to be mailed. WGW

Some AI sites allow the couple to invite people to create wedding toasts and speeches. This enables the bride and groom to have some control over the speeches, such as setting a preferred length of time or adding points the speaker should either include or avoid.

More than a Monogram

Discover the newest trends in wedding logos

The trend of making your wedding personal and unique to you continues to thrive. While your dress, your color choices, the flowers and your cake decorations speak to who you are as a couple, start the personalization process from the very first save-the-date card by adding a wedding crest.

The crest is basically a logo designed specifically for your wedding. The colors and style of the crest help set the tone of the wedding early, and it gives you a cohesive way to tie the entire event together, setting guest expectations of the event style and creating a romantic memory for you.

What is a Crest?

event itself. Some contain initials, which can be the first initial’s of each person’s first name, or just the first initial of the soon-to-be-shared last name. Instead of initials, some couples choose to put their wedding date in the center of the crest.

Flowers and greenery commonly appear as part of the design. This provides an ideal vehicle to add the colors you’ve chosen for your wedding palette and tie the flowers at the event to the invitations and website guests have seen for months.

Historically, warriors like knights used crests – like a coat of arms – to showcase their achievements, displaying colors and descriptive icons to set them apart from others. Royal families also use them for instant recognition. A wedding crest follows a similar style, but instead of celebrating victories, it uses a touch of romance to showcase who the bride and groom are, how they see themselves or how they view their relationship together.

The crest might contain the couple’s initials, but it’s different than a traditional monogram. Couples should look deeper into their personalities and interests to incorporate elements that reflect who they are together. It typically contains multiple elements that tie the event to the people involved. It also makes your stationery and website instantly recognizable to your guests.

Possible Elements

The crest you design should reflect who you are, and it helps set the expected tone of the wedding

The flower could be the first flower your fiancé ever gave you, or it could be the state flower of the location where you first met. The crest could be shaped like a flower, lined with flowers or have them interspersed throughout. Add a touch of greenery to soften the look.

From there, think about what you love, or what helped make you a couple. Try a symbolic location, such as the Atlanta skyline, a beach view or the outline of mountains. Are you both outdoorsy? Maybe the crest could include the outline of a tent. Did you meet at a dog park? Include paw prints or other icons

Zachary Dailey, Dailey Life Photography

representing your pets as part of the crest. You could include something that reminds you of your favorite sport, or even a food that brought you together as a couple. Tossing in a surprising and whimsical detail like that makes your crest that much more unique while giving it the added bonus of serving as a conversation piece for the guests.

Keep in mind that the style of the crest helps set the tone of the wedding. If it’s a casual affair, the crest could be more airy with a basic font for any initials or dates. To help create the casual expectation, include a couple of colors the guests can expect to see carried over to the wedding.

If it’s a black-tie event, for example, use more formal lettering, and consider a traditional, handdrawn style for the artwork. This style might have sleek lines and use very little color outside of black and white.

Possible Uses

When you go to all the trouble of designing a one-of-a-kind logo for your wedding, take full advantage of it by using it strategically. Include it on all your stationery, from the save the date to the invitation to the place cards at the event to the

thank-you notes afterward.

If you use signage at the wedding, add the crest – even add it to framed photos you might have scattered around, or include it on the slideshow. Depending on how detailed it is, you might be able to have a custom light created to shine the logo on the wall or the dance floor.

Think of ways to use the logo on your wedding favors as well, whether it’s simple stickers you attach or printed boxes holding the favors. Or, try tying tags onto the favors with a message from you under the crest. Include the logo on the gift bags to your bridal party, or take it one step further by giving them a gift that uses the crest as a decoration, such as having it printed on shirts or embroidered on handkerchiefs.

The crest could appear on your cocktail napkins, or on the disposable cups if you have a water station. Ask your wedding cake designer to incorporate the logo there as well.

For your guest book, add the logo on the cover as well as either at the bottom corner of each page or as a watermark. Have some fun with your photo booth by adding the crest in the bottom corner of the printed or emailed photos, making sure the date and your names appear as well.

For informal events, think creatively, such as adding the crest to some custom cornhole boards for guests to enjoy at the reception. For more formal affairs, add it to the aisle runner for all the guests to see as the enter the venue.

After the wedding, add the crest to pieces that help you remember the event, such as having it etched onto stemware or serving pieces, or having it embroidered onto a decorative pillow or throw blanket. Tie your wedding colors back into those pieces for an added romantic element.

Venue: Che’ne Rouge, Hiram, Ga.

Photos by Zachary Dailey, Dailey Life Photography

Models: Jenna Burton, Kirby Cargal and Bailey Christol

Bridal Gowns and Bridesmaid Dresses: DownTown Gowns, Carrollton, Ga.

Hair and Makeup: Indulge Salon and Day Spa, Carrollton, Ga.

Che’ne Rouge

Tucked away in Hiram, Ga., Che’ne Rouge offers unforgettable indoor or outdoor wedding spaces to fit your needs. The 3,000-square-foot ballroom seats up to 200 guests, or couples can choose romantic outdoor settings such as a lush garden –complete with tasteful statuary, stone pathways and enchanting fountain – a covered veranda with peaceful twinkle lights or the shade of a 125-year-old pecan tree.

The wedding party has all-day access to the venue, including the luxury bridal suite and groom’s suite where they can get ready for the ceremony.

The starting site fee includes rental items such as tables, chairs and linens, and the professional wedding planning staff can help you pick other items to meet your needs and budget including centerpieces, audio equipment and an altar/ arch. Each couple has access to a dedicated wedding planner to handle tasks such as vendor services, timetable management, décor and setup. They can also connect couples to the inhouse floral design and catering services, taking some of the stress out of the process so you can relax and enjoy the day of your dreams.

Photo by Ashlyn Cathey Photography

Something Old … is NowSomething New

Retro trends come full circle in 2024

Just as fashion circles back to bygone eras, past wedding trends tend to reappear, often entwined with touches of modern elegance. “Everything old is new again,” says author Jonathan Swift. While he wrote that in the 1700s, the idea is very much alive in today’s weddings, which are showcasing nostalgia and timeless charm.

Era-Specific

Brides have strayed from themed weddings the past few years, but this year, many are picking a theme from a certain era and sticking with it, even to the point of asking guests to dress the part.

The 90s have made their way back around for wedding styles. Wedding gowns are simple while showcasing more lace, and beaded headbands are holding the veils – think Jennifer Aniston’s character in the first episode of Friends. Dresses might also include puff sleeves, streamlined silhouettes, off-the-shoulder gowns, spaghetti straps, slip dresses or shiny fabrics such as satin. Choker necklaces and simple jewelry complete the bride’s look.

With the 90s theme, brides are picking bolder colors for bridesmaids and décor, and they are leaning toward metallics and glittery accents – including shimmery makeup. Invitations and decorations have geometric styles, and the band at the reception is likely to be a 90s throwback.

Going back even further, the roaring 20s bring a Great Gatsby vibe to the day. Brides are choosing shorter dresses with drop waists and fringe as well as cloche hats or elaborate headbands with no veil. Flowers are bold and big, and necklaces are long strands.

The reception offers an opportunity to bring in vintage decorations like birdcages filled with floral arrangements. The music leans toward jazz and blues. Some brides are opting for a speak-easy feel, with reception venues filled with

dark wood and dim lights. Others go for a more art deco feel with mismatched colors and custom martini bars.

Embracing Vintage

Even without a set decade theme, brides are moving more toward vintage decorations and retro transportation. This could be old leather suitcases serving as photo backdrops or the base for glass-top decorative tables, or rotary phones as part of table centerpieces – which also might have retro brass candlesticks.

Mismatched vintage teacups and china appear on the tables, while other seating scattered around the reception area might include old-style settees and fainting couches. Look for antique radios as well.

Couples are also fueling their romance with

vintage getaway cars. Whether the cars are transporting them from the wedding to the reception or leaving the reception, vintage cars add whimsy and a touch of nostalgia while serving as unforgettable photo opportunities.

From a VW van to an antique Rolls Royce, a vintage vehicle offers a creative and classy ride for the newlyweds.

Cakes and Champagne

The retro style means heavily piped cakes are making a comeback. Look for cakes – mostly white – with several tiers that showcase handmade sugar flowers and expert piping designs of swirls and frills. Brides might include edible pearls as additional

A Match Made in Heaven.

Match Made in Heaven

decorative options.

Cake toppers make an unexpected return as well. These could be fresh florals, gilded arches or fun replicas of the bride and groom.

Expect to see elaborate champagne towers return, too. These impressive displays are breathtaking to see while serving as a bit of entertainment. The glasses are arranged in a pyramid-shaped structure, either stacked on each other or on platforms. The glasses may be prefilled, or they can be filled starting at the top, allowing the top rows to overflow into the glasses below. These towers work best at indoor receptions, as the structures can be a bit precarious, especially in the wind.

Something Blue

No color says “vintage wedding” like Tiffany blue. Historically, brides have added blue accents to their weddings in many ways, ranging from furniture to jewelry. You might see blue rhinestones lining the back of the bridal gown or woven into the bride’s up-do. The cake could sport soft blue sugar flowers, or it could be worked into the décor through the tablecloths, place settings or chair covers.

Another option is an antique blue, which has more gray undertones and is often paired with a dusty rose color to enhance the vintage feel.

Paper Stationery

While wedding websites and virtual invitations seem here to stay, those choosing more retro styles for their weddings are following a traditional path when it comes to invitations. These couples are using a full stationery package, which often includes save-the-date cards, formal invitations with response cards, bridal shower invitations, ceremony programs and place cards at the reception tables.

The design typically follows all the way through to the end of the event and beyond, being reflected in the wedding favor tags and thank-you notes from the newlyweds. Whether the event is formal or casual, paper stationery gives the day a traditional and cohesive feel for the bridal party and guests alike. WGW

Narrating through Pictures

Using photography creatively to tell your story

One chance. That’s all you have to capture the pivotal moments that make up your wedding day, so it’s essential to have the right plan in place before the moments happen. Photos provide the gateway into your memories of your special day, helping you remember touching or funny moments that could get lost in the hustle and bustle of the event.

Modern brides are taking this a step further by wanting to see moments they missed during the wedding – the loving expressions of family when they see the bride walking down the aisle, for example, or the laughing face of a child having the time of her life on the dance floor. Or, let’s be honest: the best photos might be the shots of Aunt Betty dropping her cake, or the intent faces of the bridesmaids as they dive for the tossed bouquet.

Photo by Zachary Dailey, Dailey Life Photography Model: Jenna Burton

Since many brides and grooms don’t see each other before the ceremony, seeing the “morning of” photos after the wedding gives the couple a glimpse into what their new spouse’s day was like leading up to the vows. All these moments come together to tell the story of what happened throughout the day, and sometimes the days before and after the wedding.

Documentary Photography

Gone are the formal poses – at least for the most part. Instead, couples are learning more toward documenting the small, meaningful moments of the day. They are asking photographers to be more like photojournalists, capturing real moments rather than a bunch of perfectly aligned, stylized shots.

Although some staged shots still make the books, such as a formal group shot of the entire wedding party, many brides are asking for an authentic representation of the day. They want the day to flow naturally, capturing candid, unscripted, organic moments of joy and genuine emotion rather than stiff portraits filling their wedding photo albums.

Drones

wedding or the incredible sunset as you’re headed to the reception. Using a drone enables you to see the crowd at your sendoff from a whole new perspective.

Film

As brides move toward more casual photos, they also lean toward a classic look, asking for film photography instead of digital. Film doesn’t always provide the crisp focus found with professional digital cameras, creating softer edges some brides consider more romantic for their special day. The aesthetic often feels more realistic – some couples enjoy the blurred motion look this year, too, which comes across well on film.

However, there are a couple of downsides to this trend. Many professional photographers no longer own film cameras, so you might have to shop around. Also, rolls of film have to be changed out throughout the day, meaning the photographer might miss moments when the film runs out. Ask the photographer if she has more than one film camera to ensure one is always full of film and ready to shoot.

Second Photographer

Changing the perspective of the view is as easy as requesting drone photography – and video, if you prefer. Aerial shots capture the view of your venue from a unique angle, making it seem grand and next level.

If your wedding is outside, drones show the surrounding landscape and the overall beauty of the venue you chose. Brides can request shots at certain times, such as when they walk down the aisle or when the couple shares their first kiss as a married unit. This lets you take creative shots to greater heights, such as having the wedding party lay on the grass in the shape of a heart for a quick drone shot.

For inside weddings, drone photos capture the exterior of your venue in its natural element, showcasing the beautiful sky on the day of your

While asking your photographer to bring an assistant isn’t a new trend, the purpose behind it is slightly different this year. Historically, the second photographer stands at a different location than the main photographer during the ceremony to catch important shots from another angle. More couples are asking for a second photographer to catch moments when the couples are separate instead.

For example, one might follow the groom and groomsmen around the morning of the event while the other stays with the bridal party, documenting their trip to the venue and their preparation time as they get dressed and ready for the wedding. The second photographer might be tasked with catching reactions of the guests during speeches, while the main photographer focuses on the head table.

Shadows/Silhouettes

Since couples aren’t looking for perfection in

Dailey Life Photography

their shots, shadowy photos or silhouettes offer a classic, artistic alternative to traditional photos. Photographers can use many types of lights as backlights, including the most popular sunset photo where the orange glow surrounds the dark silhouettes of the couple standing together. These photos also work on the dance floor in many cases –trust your photographer to position you in the right spot. If your photographer is bringing lights, he can create a backlight against nearly any hard surface or wall – when you stand in front of the light, you get the surreal and peaceful shadowy look.

Day-after Photos

Proposals and engagement photos have long been part of a wedding photography package, but now brides are seeking photos for the day after the wedding as well. These can be where the wedding party gets dressed up one last time for formal shots that either didn’t happen during the wedding time crunch, or at an alternate location, such as beside a lake that’s not close to your venue.

Another reason to take photos after the wedding is to capture the couple’s first moments together as a married couple. Many leave for a honeymoon the day after the wedding, and the photographer can join them as they finish packing, as they travel to the airport and as they say their good-byes to pets and family. This is becoming more popular as brides want to share their stories on social media, creating a narrative of their full love story, not just the wedding itself.

Shot Lists

Even with casual settings, you likely have certain photos you definitely want. Meet with the photographer well in advance of the wedding to ensure you share your vision and ask for her ideas as well. Create a basic shot list so she captures your photo priorities. In addition to the candid, documentary-style shots and the typical formal pictures, think about the items you’re spending the most time planning. For example, you might want some detail photos of the place settings and decorations, or a close-up of the cake topper.

The photographer can typically snap these prior to the ceremony, before you even have a chance to see them in person. While you don’t want to script every photo, having a short list of priorities gets everyone on the same page and ensures you have exactly the right memories to cherish. WGW

Zachary

Epic Entertainment

Go beyond the band to bring in unforgettable performers

Your wedding and reception style should reflect your personality, and straying from tradition makes for a memorable event for you and your guests. When simple dancing at your reception doesn’t seem like quite enough for you, pick some live entertainment to keep your guests enthralled for the entire evening.

Music

Live bands have long been an option for receptions, but the fun doesn’t have to stop there. Wow your guests by hiding professional vocalists who break out of their incognito disguises throughout the night. These singers could show up as wait staff, bartenders, guests or even security personnel.

Plan ahead with the DJ or band to play certain tunes as cues to the vocalists, allowing them to break into song seemingly randomly amid your guests. They never know when it’s coming, and they can enjoy trying to pick the singers out of the crowd before the next vocal performance begins.

Another option is to go with an unexpected type of band, such as a string quartet, bagpipes, Celtic drummers or jazz instruments such as saxophones and trumpets. Many of these performers know modern music as well as the classic tunes, giving you plenty of dancing time with a twist all your guests can enjoy.

Circus Performers

Add flair and drama to your reception by hiring circus-style performers to impress your guests. Aerialists, for example, perform on silks or rings suspended from the ceiling or a large frame. They help get your party in full swing by spinning and flying overhead, giving your guests an elegant and unexpected view.

Jugglers can double as bartenders, putting on incredible talent displays while guests stand in line for drinks. Stilt walkers make a grand entrance, as do fire dancers and belly dancers. Other ideas include mime artists and magicians, who can alternate between putting on a show for everyone and mingling among

Photos by Zachary Dailey, Dailey Life Photography

the crowd for quick, intimate entertainment.

To add a taste of the mystical to your reception, bring in tarot card or palm readers so guests can catch a glimpse into their possible futures.

Petting Zoo

Petting zoos aren’t just for kids anymore. Take your outdoor reception to the next level by including an elevated version of a petting zoo. Instead of typical farm animals like sheep, pigs and goats, step up the petting-zoo game with different types of animals. Alpaca make a bold statement, and they look adorable dolled up with bowties for your special day. You can even have an owl serve as your ringbearer.

Other unique animals that might make an appearance include sloths, monkeys your guests can hold and feed, tortoises, kangaroos, camels, deer and lemurs. These make for unforgettable photo opportunities as well as live entertainment.

Artists

In addition to your photo booth, add some instant portraits by hiring caricature artists for your reception. These skilled artists are specially trained to work quickly, creating one-of-a-kind pieces your guests can keep as mementos of your night. Instruct your caricature artists on the style you prefer for your reception, such as funny portraits or asking them to put everyone in tuxes or wedding dresses as part of the portraits.

On-site painters and illustrators create masterpieces while your guests watch. Have them set up around the edges of the event, asking each to paint or draw certain elements. One might paint a version of your floral centerpieces, while another captures the sunset over the lake as the night progresses. An illustrator might sketch the most glamorous fashion present at the reception.

Watching the work in progress is fascinating, helping keep your guests entertained while delivering unique keepsakes for the bride and groom.

Things to Consider

Check with your venue before hiring specialty performers for your reception. Aerialist acts need ceilings to be a certain height, for example, and if they are bringing in a frame to descend from, it must be secured into the ground, which could leave holes. Stilt walkers also need high ceilings, and they might have to cancel outdoor performances due to weather.

Some venues might have restrictions against animals on the premises, and many have rules limiting fire performers. Outdoor receptions tend to work best for onsite painters, reducing the risk of spilled paint on the floor of an indoor venue. Painters and caricature artists typically need additional lighting, so add that to your plan with the venue to ensure there are enough outlets and lights available.

These unconventional performers might result in additional deposits with the venue, so be sure to share the details early in the planning process to ensure there are no surprises or misunderstandings with the venue staff. WGW