1) I highly recommend the book, "Conscious Bride". I read this book myself while I was engaged and have given it to numerous friends. It is a great book that touches on many of the issues many brides have to work though before and just after marriage. Its not about booking the reception site, how to find the perfect dress, whom to invite, how to word those invites, etc. This is about dealing with parents during the engagement process. Realizing that although they are excited for you, they are also feeling mixed emotions about dealing with the "loss" of their daughter. Its also about how to transition from a single individual to a partner in marriage. It helps so that you don't have the huge "let down" after the wedding day. Trust me...a great read!
2) Are you looking for an alternative to the table favors? Who's sick of tying netting around a few kisses? If you feel compelled to have chocolates on the table, so be it, but save all the time and hassle - put it in a dish or scatter it on the table. I was just at a wedding this summer where they decided to do something different. Instead of table favors, they made a donation to a charity of their preference in honor of their guests. At their guest book table at the reception, they had a poster that talked about the charity. What a great gesture!
3) Here's a trend that has been in Minnesota for a while, but hasn't quite made its way to the Badger state yet. Instead of doing a large tiered cake, they do individual cakes at each table. The Bride & Groom have their own cake sitting in front of them at the head table. When it is time for dessert, the Bride & Groom stand, cut & feed their cake. Then the guests can cut their own piece at their table. The guests tables have different kinds of cakes and this becomes a social event at the reception because they can share with other tables so they can try different flavors.
So, if you're planning a wedding...congrats & enjoy the ride!
