Wouldn't you want your parents to be able to see your face during the ceremony?  Or would you want them to sit behind you, staring at the back of your head because tradition dictates that?

I thought so. 

Have YOUR parents sit behind your finaće and visa versa!  Everyone gets to see! 

​No brainer, right?

Livestock.  Over the past months I've had dogs, goats, (this one is Juliette from Waterloo Village; (one of the coolest, rustique venues ever!). She was being a little shy here, but she came to take photos with my great couple after the ceremony and I have a hunch that she had an hors d'oeuvres or two as well),  chickens, a duck, a swan and a pig named Ruby.  (Ruby is part of Debbie's staff at the gorgeous Indian Trail Club in Franklin Lakes.)  

We love animals in and around our weddings and if you have some in your family, you might want to consider including them, either in the flesh or in spirit.  They can absolutely walk down the aisle, take photos with you or be mentioned in a little pet blessing. We have a few families that have had their dogs in every wedding we've officiating!  It wouldn't be a party without them!

Key to this is  your pet's temperament.  Their comfort needs to be taken into account. They'll want food, water, and eventually they'll want a quiet place to chill. They may need a handler  (we can recommend a couple of great pet handlers in NJ.)

And of course, you'll want them to be decked out for the day!  

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Now, we all know that, in essence, your entire wedding ceremony is, yes, a unity ceremony, but many couples want to add a visual exclamation point to the ceremony.  Some pour sand, some share Tequila  (yes, the Tequila Sharing 
 was one of our most popular ceremonies last year and going forward!

This week, one of my couples used a Black and Tan pouring, with Guiness and Harp ale.  They included it at the end fo the 'welcome to the guests" and after they poured it, they toasted the guests in a nod to the relationship they had with each person invited.   Here is a part of the text we used as they poured; 

BLACK AND TAN SHARING 
Harp is golden ale with a clean, balanced personality. It’s refreshing, crisp and very bubbly!
Guinness is bold, slightly bittersweet and rich. Overall, it’s a bit dry with a distinctive look.
Poured together, they make a perfect beverage to toast your guests; just as this beverage combines unexpected elements into a great relationship, the same could be said about your relationship with each of  your guests!
(Each partner pours)
CHEERS!!! 
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What do you call a fabulous cocktail party, with lots of hors d'oeuvres and interesting international stations, guests mingling and chatting, a casual vibe with a relaxed structure (and snow cones at the end)?   A wedding!   And what a great idea this is, especially for a Thursday or Friday night wedding when some of your guests may be coming right from work. My favorite format is light hors d'oeuvres first (people will be starving), then the ceremony, then more, heavier hors d'oeuvres, dancing and cake!  There are a number of great reasons to pick this format.
-You can offer a lot of variety and fun stations
-People can mingle and talk instead of being at a table talking to the two people next to them
-This format can make interesting spaces appropriate; spaces with several rooms or inside and outside space
-Sometimes the cost can be less
-It's just FUN.  Everyone loves the cocktail hour; just make it longer!
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