these are ideas are some of my own and other's I've collected from fellow knotties and other research...
Don't be afraid to experiment with unique colors, fonts and paper textures. There's no rule of thumb obligating you to use 12pt Times New Roman on Cardstock for everything.
Consider a nontraditional reception venue like the zoo, art gallery, aquarium, barn, apple orchard, yacht, theatre stage, grand foyer, or even an open field of flowers.
Have supplements for your guests to read so they can learn more about the members of your bridal party. Not everyone will know that you and your MOH have been best friends since preschool.
Forego the old fashioned receiving line and welcome guests as they arrive to the ceremony site.
Be sure to hang your dress on a pretty coat hanger the day of your wedding. People WILL be taking photographes of the dress before you put it on and you'd like to avoid having it on a nasty old plastic or wire coat hanger.
Send your invites to Loveville, Maryland -- they've developed special wedding postmarks for a nice touch to your envelop. Call 301.475.5243 for details.
Invite the President, Pope, and the Queen for a special wedding surprise. Be sure to send their invites out early.
If you're planning on taking pictures prior to the ceremony, have everyone clear out of the ceremony site and have your groom at the end of the aisle. Walk in and down the aisle, so it's only the two of you. It's a very sweet and special moment that you can share...and you can see his face light up with wonder and joy.
Dress tree trunks outside the church with big white satin bows.
Place tissues in the rows where family will be seated for their tears of joy.
Write a letter to your mom and/or dad and have it waiting for them in their seat during the ceremony. It could be about anything really (a thank you, how you hope your marriage turns out like theirs -- assuming it's a happy, healthy one), but they will be so touched and honored that you took the time to arrange for this.
Have an all white dress code for your guests.
Have candlelight vows. All your guests will pick up a candle on their way into the ceremony. When it comes time for the vows, have your ushers or groomsmen go around and light the end person and let them "pass the flame." It's a nice romantic touch to a very sentimental and powerful moment.
Don't limit your bridesmaids to one dress code -- if you still want unity, have them each pick different dresses in one color, or different colors of the same dress.
Have each bridesmaid carry a bouquet of one specific flower. Your bouquet will be a combination of all their flowers.
Dress your flowergirl in a bold color rather than a mini version of you -- this way, the dress will certainly be worn again.
For family members who have passed or cannot physically be there with you, wear something of theirs so that they are with you. It could be a lapel pin tied to the ribbon of your bouquet, your great aunt's pearls, your grandmother's garter...
Don't be afraid of color on your wedding dress -- embrace it.
Pick a unique ceremony start time, like 3:17 -- the exact time he proposed to you.
Incorporate beads, shells, lace, extra dress fabric or even a strand of pearls in your bouquet for a unique accent.
Race through a tunnel of swords, ski poles, sparklers or boat oars for a different grand exit.
Consider having someone sign your ceremony for the hearing impared, or even for an emotional touch. Everyone will surely be brought to tears.
Forget secular music for processional and recessional music. Pick something special to you.
Include your children in your vows and unity candle ceremony if you have them.
Bring a unique item to your buffet reception like a mashed potato martini bar or sunrise station with omelets and crepes. Everyone loves their favorite morning foods any time of day.
If you insist on an ice sculpture, go for a martini luge. It's a great accent to every bar and it'll give your guests something to talk about!
Write love quotes on the inside of everyones placecards.
Forget the clinking glasses and ringing bells. Have your guests sing loves songs, hula hoop, score a hole in one on a mock putting green or challenge you in a kissing face off to have you and your groom smooch during the reception.
Hire strolling musicians or a barbershop quartet to add life to your dinner or cocktail hour.
Have guests sign a tablecloth or platter to be used at special dinners in the future in lieu of a guestbook.
Wrap a "no tresspassing" or "keep out" sign around your leg outside of the garter. Yor groom will find a shocking surprise when he dives in and your guests will find it to be quite humorous!
Be sure to have your parents and married siblings first dances played at the reception.
Rather than doing the money dance, do a "wish dance" toward the end of the night. The bride and groom start off dancing together, then guests cut in for 10-20 seconds of dancing and their chance to give you any last minute marriage advice and parting words.
Divide table numbers by age and accent the decor with pictures of you and fiance from that time, for example...at table sixteen you could show pictures of your fiance with his new car and you at your sweet 16 birthday party.
Be sure to have a kid oriented table. Lay down block paper for them to draw on, have them make you cards, serve hot dogs, chicken fingers, ice cream sundaes. Perhaps even have a side room for them with Disney movies playing or a magician for entertainment. Your guests will love you for getting the kids out of their hair for the night!