Conley Publishing - Special Sections
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4 • Wonderful World of Weddings • Conley Media • January, 2017 All brides want their vows to reflect who they are—whether the classic bride who dreams of a church wedding in the same congregation she grew up in or the contemporary bride who says goodbye to the tradition altogether. One of the biggest trends of the year: couples opting to exchange their vows in the same location as the reception, some- times even the same room, whether it's with or without religious traditions. No matter what location you choose, be sure to work with a coordinator so you don't have to do a thing except relax and enjoy the beautiful wedding you've envisioned. It's your big day—make it your own! Leave a Lasting Impression With Personalization While the more classic couple sticks to traditional vows and religious elements, many add their own language to make the church ceremony more personal and meaningful. For example, the contemporary couple might choose to write their own vows for the church ceremony or add a new twist on tradition such as having the bride walk down the aisle with the groom instead of the bride's father—to signify the couple starting their lives together at the very start of the ceremony. One advantage of a church wedding is couples typically have more room at a reception venue to control the guest list—allowing them to pick and choose a more intimate number of dinner guests, and the flexibility of having a larger reception celebration later in the evening. Before the traditional recep- tion would have waiters circulate with drinks and hors d'oeuvres during cocktail hour while the receiving line is in progress. Now, the classic-with-a- twist bride may choose to eliminate the receiving line altogether in favor of greeting guests sooner at the reception. Another of today's trends: the classic bride makes sure drinks are available as soon as the first guest arrives at the reception—whether the drinks are lemonade and iced tea or a signature cocktail. The more contemporary, cool couple may leave behind the structure of traditional weddings altogether— with the vows, eating, drinking, and entertaining in one place. According to Kim Jacob, Banquet Manager of Broadlands Golf Club in North Prairie, holding the ceremony and reception in a beautifully decorated venue can be a win-win for both the classic and contemporary interfaith or non- denominational couple. Continued on page 5. It's Your Big, Beautiful Day—Make It Your Own By Claire Kelly Images provided by Edward Fox Photography