You and your partner have plenty of choices when it comes to the type of wedding you choose. Your preferences and values will guide you towards the type of ceremony that is authentic and meaningful to both of you. It can be as traditional or as individual as you are. There are no rights or wrongs; all that matters is that your wedding reflects the love you have for one another.
If a traditional religious wedding is not for you, consider these options:
- Informal, contemporary wedding
- Informal religious wedding
- Formal wedding
- Garden wedding
- Civil ceremony
- Outdoor wedding – beach, country, mountains
- Themed wedding – vintage, retro, period, country, rustic
- Destination wedding
- Impromptu wedding
- Individual wedding – anything goes
- Registry office
- Elopement
Your ceremony is an opportunity to put your personal stamp on your wedding, and it is for this reason that themed weddings are growing in popularity. Outdoor weddings are another common choice and whilst destination weddings are still highly desirable, COVID has made executing these more difficult than ever.
Whatever the setting, the ceremony is a powerful way of expressing your love. While some couples still favour traditional vows, others prefer to write their own or borrow them from literature. The readings, music and decorations are further opportunities to convey your personal style and set the ambient mood.
There is a wide choice of receptions available too. The time of the wedding ceremony and the budget will dictate the type of reception, which may include:
- Brunch
- Light lunch
- Formal lunch
- Afternoon tea / high tea
- Traditional seated dinner
- Cocktail and Hor D’eouvres
- Champagne and Cake
While buffet type receptions are no longer offered due to Coronavirus, there is an emerging new trend particularly suited to outdoor weddings. “Picnic” type receptions are gaining in popularity with some enterprising restaurants and caterers now offering sumptuous food in picnic baskets. Others will supply Food Trucks specialising in delectable desserts. These creative options are popular for good reasons – they are COVID friendly and affordable.
Although traditionally receptions follow the ceremony; this does not have to be the case.
I recently attended a “pre-ception” where the reception was held the night before the ceremony. The happy couple wanted to separate the stress of their wedding day from their reception. As a result, they were able to relax and enjoy their reception to the full.
It just goes to show that when it comes to making decisions about your wedding and reception, it pays to follow your heart and choose the options that suit you the best.
Special Weddings 