Wedding Entertainment Ideas - Something Different

If you want to make your wedding a bit different and offer your guests something other than just a slap up meal or a disco in the evening, then you'll be looking for wedding entertainment ideas.
Here are a few wedding reception entertainment ideas to help you along the way:
Music: Live music is very atmospheric and you could have just about anything, only restricted by cost. Try to suit the size of the band to the size of the venue though or your guests could be deafened by that seven piece jazz band in a small reception room. If you're a Scot, why not have a piper or for gentle mood music a harpist. A ceilidh band can really make things go with a swing, particularly if your guests are Scottish or Irish. A country band with a caller for square dancing is also a fun idea.
Singer or live band: A wedding singer can lend atmosphere at the ceremony and while pre-reception drinks are in progress. However, there's usually too much chatting during the actual reception to warrant a wedding singer, unless you want a special song to be sung before or after the speeches. A live band will get the dancing going at your evening reception; get each couple to choose their favourite in advance and have the band play it with a dedication to your friends or family.
Themed: A murder mystery is an ideal theme for an informal wedding reception entertainment. A team of actors enacts a murder mystery and each table tries to guess who did it. Make sure that there are prizes.
Speciality acts: There are a number of these wedding reception entertainment acts that you can choose who go strolling amongst the tables; how about magicians, card sharps, sketch artists, mind readers, temporary tattooists, jugglers or comedy waiters, to name but a few.
Activities: If the weather's good and your reception will be in the afternoon, outdoor activities are always good for a laugh. Try out a bouncy castle or assault course - the kids will certainly enjoy it.
Casino: For your evening reception, why not have a casino set up with black jack tables and roulette wheels. These professional outfits provide croupiers and chips and teach everyone how to enjoy casino games. To add to the fun, provide a prize or two for those with the most chips at the end of the evening.
If you choose an entertainment that's a bit out of the ordinary, your guests will be talking about your wedding for years to come.
There's really no limit to wedding reception entertainment which only depends on the style of wedding you're going to have.

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Tips For Choosing the Right Wedding Gown

The bride's wedding gown is always the main attraction at any wedding. Beautiful white bridal dresses make everyone envision their wedding fantasies. What young girl hasn't spent years dreaming about their bridal dress, possibly even wearing a designer wedding gown?
When choosing the right bridal gown you want to take a few things into consideration.
· The location of your special event
· The time of the your special event
· Your budget
· The style of the wedding
You want the dress to compliment the location of your special day. If you are getting married on the beach you would choose a different bridal gown than if you were getting married in a formal church. As well you want it to be easy for the bridesmaid's dresses to compliment yours. This is especially true if the bridesmaids are purchasing their own dresses.
If your wedding is more in the casual style, you can choose the right bridal gown, by finding a dress which you can use for another occasion. This is very useful if your budget is tight.
Of course you want to choose the right bridal dress and it is helpful to take along a close friend or family member. This way you can be sure you can trust their opinion about how you look in the various wedding gowns, dresses and other outfits you try on. Choosing the right wedding gown is a big decision and you want to buy the best wedding gown which you can afford.
Keep in mind how far you will be travelling to your wedding destination. If you are travelling by plane you want to have lots of time to unpack and hang your wedding gown before the big day arrives. You want to have time to ensure your dress is wrinkle free.
As much as you will wish to have that fairy tale wedding, you must take your budget into account. Set aside a certain dollar amount for choosing the right wedding gown and don't go over budget. Add in extra money for alterations and a wedding veil.
Many brides choose to wear an antique wedding dress, maybe one handed down by a great grandmother. You can also find wonderful discount bridal gowns in an antique shop. This type of dress can look spectacular when spruced up with a new ribbon or accentuated with pearls or flowers.
Choosing the right wedding gown will take time and it is advisable to take someone you trust shopping with you. After all, you will only be getting married once, and you want your dress to be the centre of attention on your wedding day.

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Wedding Stationery and Invitations - Choosing the Right Style

Of course you can buy your wedding stationery and invitations from your local stationer but they won't be special to you; anyone can buy them. If you want your wedding stationery and invitations to be unique, you need to choose the right style.
When it comes to stylish wedding invitations, the choice is enormous.
Firstly, colour; cream and white predominate but there are all sorts of combinations available using brown, mauve, pink, blue or just about anything you want.
Secondly you need to choose what type of invitation you want. There's the traditional folded card, double folded card or a scroll but I think that the most stylish wedding invitations are those which come individually boxed.
Really stylish wedding invitations come decorated in all sorts of ways from silk flowers and chiffon or satin ribbon to decorative pearls or diamonds. Elegantly embossed flowers, leaves or hearts complete the picture.
If your wedding has a specific theme or colour scheme then you may want your wedding stationery and invitations to match up with that.
If you want to inject humour or romance into your wedding then there are invitations to match. How about a Disney theme or animals and birds or a fairy tale?
Are you holding your wedding on a beach? You can get beautiful wedding stationery and invitations with beach scenes or palm trees.
Don't forget to think about the stationery that you'll need other than the invitations. You may want menu cards, table number cards, place cards and thank you notes.
Other accessories available are table napkins, individual boxed chocolates, ribbons, candles and place card holders.
Basically, choosing the right style for your wedding stationery and invitations is a personal thing and they should suit the type of wedding and your personality.
After all, if you don't go for frills and flowers, your friends will think you've gone mad if you choose that style for your wedding and if you're usually a serious person then Disney invitations aren't going to be suitable either.

For more ideas on choosing the right style of wedding stationery and invitations, visit Australian Wedding Professionals.

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Beautiful and Delicious Wedding Cakes

Besides the wedding dress, one of the next most looked at items is the beautiful and delicious wedding cakes. These beautiful works of art sit forefront at the reception and are viewed by all the guests. Of course you want to make sure you have one of the most beautiful cake around.
If you are on a budget you have to wonder about the wedding cake cost. An easy way to keep the cost down is to have a friend bake and decorate your cake. Making a wedding cake takes time so be sure to plan this well in advance. Don't drop a last minute request and expect a fabulous cake in return.
If you don't have a friend who bakes cakes, go to a local community college. See if they have an up and coming cake decorator in their midst's. They are sure to want to take the opportunity and bake a dream wedding cake for you. Tell them you will recommend them to all your friends and guests, this would be a great form of advertising for them. Plus it would be a wonderful way to start up a cake decorating business.
When making plans for your cake you want to make sure that the theme and style of your cake matches the wedding dress and location. If you are having a traditional church wedding and dress, then make sure your cakes style is that of traditional wedding cakes.
The Wedding cakes have changed over the years. At one time traditional wedding cakes were fruit cakes, covered in fondant, marzipan and icing. Today many cakes are sponge cakes filled with cream and decorated lavishly.
They be adorned with flowers, ribbons and even mini photos depicting how the happy couple met, photos of their engagement and more. Many bride and grooms still like the traditional figurine on top. Others prefer to replace this with a vase of fresh flowers or some other memorable item.
The cost is an important part of your wedding plans, so don't forget to set aside enough money for it. As well be sure to order it well in advance. If you are planning on using a popular bakery, plan and order ahead as you might find they are booked months in advance.

As you can see you do have choices. From having it made at a professional bakery to having a close friend or student cake decorator bake it for you. No matter which you choose you can be assured of having a beautiful wedding cakes as your reception centerpiece.

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Hair Beauty and Makeup Artists - Why Hiring a Good Professional Is Key

There are certain special events in our lives that warrant using hair, beauty and make-up artists. One popular reason is using them on your wedding day. Knowing which artist to hire can be tricky and hiring a professional is important. Continue reading to find out why.
Normally women have a trusted hairstylist which they use regularly. But when it comes to makeup and beauty care very few women have personal professional hair, beauty and makeup artists available. When the need for one arises they don't have any idea about how to hire one.
Many women will start asking their friends for referrals or look on the internet for any local hair, beauty and makeup artists. The beauty industry is a big business with new makeup artists constantly coming onto the scene. Some makeup artists work at cosmetic counters while others sell cosmetics or work in the fashion and entertainment industry.
There is a difference in hiring someone to do your makeup versus booking a professional. Professional hair, beauty and makeup artists would have gone to school to learn their trade and have become a licensed esthetician or facial specialist. Other's learn their skills from the ground up, training hands on. They would be very familiar with working with brides and other private functions.
Many hair, beauty and make-up artists make a living working in the film, television or magazine and catalogue industries. They will also work closely with all types of models and therefore have lots of experience.
A professional hair, beauty and make-up artist will understand skin types and bone structure. They will know how to use and sanitize their tools correctly. They will also have a good understanding of contouring and shading to compliment or even hide eye, nose and cheek bones flaws.
Good hair, beauty and makeup artists have a goal to make you happy with their service. They might recommend products to you, but their main objective is not to sell you a line of beauty products.
When looking for hair, beauty and makeup artists don't always go with the lowest price. A picture can last many, many years and looking your best on that special is really important to you. It just might be worth spending that extra money to get a top makeup artist.
When hiring a make-up artist check out their credentials and see if they have a professional license or not, hiring a licensed professional makes you feel more comfortable. You know that they have had the proper training to do your hair and makeup correctly. They should also carry a portfolio with photos of their work. This way you know you are getting a good hair, beauty & makeup artists and will receive exactly what you are paying for.

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What Are Marriage Celebrants and What Ceremonies Do They Perform?

A marriage celebrant is known as someone who conducts wedding ceremonies in Australia. Marriage celebrants will also conduct other ceremonies including renewing wedding vows, naming babies and funeral services.
The celebrants may or may not be part of a religious organization. This allows many couples to be married through a civil marriage ceremony. At one time becoming a celebrant depended up the geographic location and the need for celebrants in that particular area.
Becoming a marriage celebrant today consists of undergoing a government accredited training program in marriage celebrancy. Each person must meet certain criteria and then be put on a waiting list until wedding celebrants are required in their area. Becoming registered as an official civil marriage celebrant allows the person to marry couples in almost any location. As well they have the authorization to process the required paper work.
Many couples today prefer to get married in many different locations and settings. Outside at home or at a scenic location, beach and boat weddings are extremely popular too. It is great to know that you may get married with all the wedding traditions you want at a location unique to each couple.
As couples reach their 25th wedding anniversary they often look to getting their wedding vows renewed. This time the ceremony might be in a place which will often hold a happy memory from their years together. The marriage celebrants are able to perform non traditional wedding vows or even personalized wedding vows to accommodate the couple's choices.
Today a bride and groom have many places to get married, and no one takes offensive if the civil marriage ceremony does not take place in a church. Mindsets have changed and nontraditional weddings and wedding vows are becoming commonplace.
Knowing too that you can get a civil marriage celebrant to perform your wedding ceremony almost anywhere, makes arranging your wedding that much easier. This means that you could get married at home, at your favorite golf club or even at an historic building or landmark in your town. More choices allow weddings to take on a new theme of their own.
Today's weddings are definitely more open minded and relaxed than in earlier years. Traditional outfits do not have to be worn and the wedding itself can be a much more relaxed affair. This makes planning and holding a wedding a lot more stress free, and who wouldn't love that!

Come and visit our comprehensive wedding directory providing many listings of Professional Wedding Celebrants.

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How to Choose the Perfect Wedding Bombonieres or Wedding Favors

There are so many details which go into planning a wedding, but sometimes it is those little decorations that can become annoying. Trying to find the perfect wedding bombonieres or favors can be trying and sometimes just downright frustrating.
Things such as wedding table decorations and personalized wedding favors can be very expensive and knowing where to buy them without blowing your budget is important. Of course, your guests are going to notice every smallest detail and you both want everything to be perfect. There are some easy ways to get great table decorations for weddings without sacrificing your budget.
You want to remember that your wedding reception decorations should suit the theme and the mood of your wedding. This will help you determine what types of candles, flowers and other small items are necessary for your decorations.
Remember too, to get your wedding favors to match your color scheme. Plus they will need to be small enough that they don't take up too much room on the table. Choose decorations which can be set up quickly on the day of your wedding, or you could delegate this job to a trusted family member.
Guests love to take their wedding favors or bombonieres home with them. Personalized place markers engraved with the guests name are good. Other ideas include small pots and baskets filled with flowers, colored stones, small bath soaps and even herbs. They all add color and pizazz to the table and make great mementos.
If you have a friend who is creative why not get them to stencil a picture of the bride and groom onto a candle or even a small box. This makes a personalized wedding favor which any guest would treasure for years to come.
If you are having a sit down reception then you should have one large flower or candle arrangement on each table. A fun idea is to mark one chair before the reception begins and that guest gets to take home the centerpiece. You can easily mark the chair with a ribbon or chalk mark.
If you have guests that will be bringing small children with them, then get some crayons and place mats that can be colored. The children will be kept busy coloring while their parents socialize.

You don't have to buy expensive wedding table decorations. Go to any large dollar store and you will have a wide assortment of colorful vases, jars, soaps, beads and candles from which to choose. Just use your imagination to jazz them up and you will have some great personal, yet affordable wedding favors.

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Wedding Shoes - How to Choose Them

A girl's wedding day is meant to be the best day of her life but it certainly won't be if she isn't wearing comfortable wedding shoes. There's a huge choice out there but think carefully about your big day and what's been planned before you choose the shoes that you're going to spend a whole day in.
I think that comfort has to be the most important factor. Your big day will be ruined if your feet hurt the whole day long and you know that pain always shows on the face so your photos might not turn out too well either.
Comfortable bridal shoes don't have to be plain or frumpy just chosen to fit your feet properly and your personal preference.
High heel wedding shoes always look elegant but you need to be used to wearing high heels or you'll spend the whole day tottering about and hanging onto walls to keep yourself upright. Added to that there's the danger that you'll fall over or everyone will think that you've had one too many sherries. So if you don't habitually wear high heeled shoes, don't pick your wedding day to experiment.
Low heel wedding shoes are ideal in many ways, particularly if you're wearing a floor length dress. They can still be pretty and elegant but without the dangers of high heel wedding shoes mentioned above. Low heels are an especially good idea if your wedding or reception is taking place outside or in any situation where you may have to walk on gravel or grass as high heels can sink or catch and will probably be ruined. Low heels are also pretty much essential if you're already taller than your bridegroom or if high heels will make you appear taller. Some people even choose flip-flops or trainers but that will depend on the style of your wedding.
Choosing designer wedding shoes will certainly get you what you want but they will come at a steep price. However, if you want your bridal shoes decorated with crystal or feathers then designer wedding shoes are for you. Some are even transparent so that you can show off your feet to best effect; don't choose these if you have less than perfect feet though.
Traditional styles include court shoes, peep toes, wedge heels, strappy sandals and pumps, to name but a few.
Some people choose wedding shoes which can be dyed a different colour after the wedding to be worn with a different outfit.
In short, no matter what your taste or style of wedding, choose comfortable wedding shoes which you'll be able to wear for the whole of your important day with a smile on your face.

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Wedding Favours for Your Guests - What To Choose

If you're about to be married and would like to give wedding favours to your guests but can't think what to choose for them, here are a few ideas.
Before we get into detail, you need to decide what you want to pay for your wedding bomboniere; the sky's the limit, but a good range to consider would be $2 to $10. Obviously $2 wedding favours aren't going to be of the quality of the more expensive items but this is just meant to be a little memento of your wedding, so don't stress if you can't afford $10 per guest.
You also need to decide whether you're going to give different wedding favours to male guests than to female. This is probably a good idea as there isn't too much in the wedding bomboniere line that is suitable for both men and women. However, if you do decide to give different gifts, make sure that the price is about the same.
Ideas for women:
- perfume
- perfume bottles
- candles
- candle holders
- photograph frames
- jewellery boxes
If you're opting for perfume as a wedding bomboniere, be careful as it's rather a personal thing, however a pretty perfume bottle would suit any lady.
There's a vast array of candles and candle holders ranging from plain glass tealight holders and frosted votive holders to stained glass tealight holders and colourful gel candles in cocktail glasses.
Photograph frames abound in all different shapes and styles. Personalise this gift by inserting a photo of yourselves in each one or better still one of you with the person to whom you're giving.
In the absence of real jewels, fill the jewellery boxes with sweets or chocolates in colourful wrappers.
Ideas for men:
- fragrances
- bottle openers and corkscrews
- bottle stoppers
- keyrings
- letter openers
Glass coasters and glass goblets are a welcome addition to anyone's cocktail cabinet.
Tea kits are fun and useful but spare a thought for any guest who doesn't drink tea.
Ideas for either:
- engraved glass coasters
- glassware
- tea kits
- bookmarks
Bookmarks have always been useful to the avid reader but in these days of electronic book readers, be careful that you're not giving a useless gift.
Fragrances are again fraught with difficulty so unless you know your males guests extremely well, you may want to give this a miss.
Bar accessories as wedding favours are popular and will usually have a wedding themed decoration in the shape of a heart or a cross; the same goes for keyrings and letter openers.

So, as you can see there are plenty of wedding favours to choose from in a range of prices and for more ideas please visit our site with quality listings of wedding bomboniere specialists.

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Choosing the Best Bridal Wedding Accessories (For a Summer Wedding)

Getting married is a huge task, it is just not the thought of the wedding ceremony itself that matters. It is all those other smaller details that need attending to. This includes choosing the best bridal wedding accessories, and this list can be enormous.
First you need to think about what type of wedding dress accessories you will need, and don't forget any accessories for your bridal party here. You want everything to match from flowers to ribbons and the boutonnieres. You could even carry the theme over into your wedding cake accessories, using the same colors and possibly miniature versions of the same flowers.
Another area of bridal wedding accessories are those that will sit on the tables at your reception along with your wedding favours. These items should all compliment the theme of your wedding. So if you live in a warm climate and are getting married on the beach, then carry colors from the beach into your wedding accessories.
This can be done in many ways. First by using items such as coloured stones and pebbles, pastel ribbons make great accessories too, along with candles. Candles are great if you are having an evening reception. Hand soaps are available in a wide range of colors and styles. It is easy to pick up miniature soaps in the shapes of starfish and shells.
For added flair on your reception tables use place holders for your guests in the shapes of shells and fish, anything with a nautical theme would be great. If you are going to Hawaii for your honeymoon, then you could use pineapple designs on your table.
Simple tins or baskets filled with coloured beads to resemble beach pebbles are a fun and inexpensive wedding accessory idea. How about using miniature photo frames which look like a beach chair, these would make wonderful keepsakes for your guests.
If you want to add a touch of humour to your bridal wedding accessories in keeping with the beach theme, then use flip-flop tea lights on your tables. You may even be able to find place holders to match. The possibilities are endless, it is just a matter of using your imagination and doing some research.
The internet is a great place to look for wedding accessories and ideas, you don't necessarily have to order them online. Just use the ideas and come up with your own unique version. The beach theme is just one idea to use for your bridal wedding accessories, but you can come up with others depending on where you are getting married. Garden, flowers, hearts and doves all make great theme ideas and have tons of available wedding accessories.

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Wedding Photography - Don't Rely on an Amateur

When you're planning your wedding, there are a lot of different things to think about to make your day wonderful. However, long after the last piece of cake has been eaten, you'll want to be able to relive your special day through the photos. Wedding photography is a specialist art and no matter what else you economise on, do employ a professional photographer. Just because your cousin or your brother takes great snaps, it doesn't mean that they will be able to get your wedding photography just right with all the traditional poses, the right people in the photos and everyone looking their best.
Take out a professional wedding photography contract and you won't regret it. You'll know the cost in advance for the number of photos you want to be taken and for the number you'll want reprinted for your special album.
However, I'm getting ahead here; first of all you need to find someone to do your wedding photography. You can search the web for wedding photographers in your area or consult your local phone book, but the best recommendation is a personal one so if you have friends or colleagues who have been married lately, ask them who they used. Ask to see their wedding album and ask them if the photographer was pleasant and easy to work with.
When choosing your photographer, don't forget that you'll be seeing quite a lot of one another on your big day. If you want to invite your photographer behind the scenes, to photograph you getting dressed or made up, you'll want to be working with someone you can get along with and whom you can trust.
Wedding photography is a very personal thing so be sure to choose a photographer who will produce the sort of pictures that you want. If you want zany, off-the-wall pics, don't choose a traditionalist and vice versa. Interview a few photographers and exchange ideas before you make your final choice. Don't forget that a photographer is like an extra guest at your wedding. He or she should be dressed appropriately and be able to get along with all your guests from your five year old page boy to your aged granny.
The average cost of wedding photography is between $1500 and $4000. I know that this is a wide band, but it very much depends on the type of wedding that you're planning and the number and style of photos. If you want the photographer to get up at dawn to take your photos on the beach at sunrise then the cost of his or her time will obviously increase. The number of guests at your wedding can also have a bearing on the average cost of wedding photography as well as any special effects or props that you ask for.
Try not to economise on your wedding photography because in years to come, those photos will be your only reminder of your happiest day.

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Why Wedding Video Services Are So Popular Today

Wedding video clips are becoming more popular today as they make it easy to keep your wedding memories for years to come. The videos will not fade the way photos do and they are easy to store. Even with this said it is wonderful to have a mixture of wedding photography and video done at your wedding.
Most photographers today are happy to provide you with either a print photo or video of your wedding. Wedding video clips are great to send to guests who were not able to make the wedding in person. The wedding video clips can be recorded onto a disc or send through an email.
If you are looking at the costs for wedding video services you will be pleasantly surprised to see that they are not that expensive. In many cases using these services can prove to be more cost effective than opting for strictly print photos.
Many of today's bride and grooms are purchasing wedding photography and video packages. This way they get plenty of video material to send home with their guests. But they also get print photos of certain moments during the wedding ceremony.
Popular print photos include pictures of the inside of the church when the couple is exchanging their rings. Walking down the aisle as man and wife and of course the traditional family photo and cutting of the wedding cake photo.
It really is up to each couple which photos they choose to have printed. It is the same with the video options. You can ask the photographer to tape the entire ceremony and the reception, or just certain parts.
Wedding DVD's are a great wedding favor to give to your guests at a later date. This way they will have their own memories and favorite scenes to watch again. You could also easily edit these videos to include video from your engagement party.
Thinking ahead you could also include moments from your first wedding anniversary and even the arrival of your first child. You could make your wedding videos as an ongoing documentation of your life together. This can easily be shared with other family members and close friends.

If you decide to use professional wedding video services don't forget to get them to include all the songs from your wedding. This will add more personality to your own songs for wedding films and is another great way to share your favorite moments with your family.

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Your Perfect Choice in Wedding Photography

Your wedding day is such a special day and you definitely want to find a great photographer to capture those wonderful moments. There are so many options when looking for wedding photography packages that you can become overwhelmed by all the choices.
When looking for a photographer you want to make certain that they have a good portfolio to show you. This way you can see their work firsthand. This is extremely important if you want to have any special effects done on any of your wedding photographs.
There are several types of services around including professional wedding photography businesses and those that deal only in special event photography. Your best option is to visit with a few photographers first and get a good idea of what type of pictures they take.
Then once you find the type of photos you would like for your wedding you can go into more detail regarding your order. This is where you want to consider the sizes of your photos and who you want to give copies to. Large prints are going to cost more and many people are happy with wallet size photos which they can carry around and show off.
If you choose any type of masters of wedding photography you must be prepared to pay their prices. Just another reason why you want to look at all your wedding photography options first. You should know how much you can afford to spend on photographs and make sure you stick to it. It is so easy to get talked into a more expensive type of wedding photography packages.
If cost is becoming an issue then consider getting some videos made of your wedding day. Many times this is more cost effective and copies can be made cheaply. Videos instead of wedding photography packages are becoming very popular.
Many professional wedding photography places will probably offer you video along with your photographs. Having a mixture of both is great and videos are easy to send to relatives and friends who couldn't make it to your wedding.
Remember not to go overboard with your wedding photography. After all you can only hang so many pictures in your home. As you spend more time together you will have other pictures that will need to find a home in your house.
Your wedding day is special and everyone wants to have mementos. Just ensure that you have enough wedding pictures and videos to share with family members and close friends.