Typically, weddings are thought of as rather
pompous affairs, with magnificent churches, intricate flower arrangements,
champagne and caviar, and of course, the type of elaborate wedding dress that
could double as a parachute should the need arise.
These days, however, an increasing number of
couples are choosing a more laid back and casual atmosphere for their big day.
This could be for any reason from a tight budget to an appreciation for the
simpler things in life; but don’t be mistaken, the well-loved all-American
outdoor wedding is anything but ordinary.
If cathedrals and chandeliers don’t appeal to
you and a more low-key theme is what you’re after, here are some great tips and
ideas for making your All-American wedding an unforgettable event.
Decide what your interpretation of “casual” is
This may seem odd, but different people have
very different ideas of what “casual” should be. For the one, it means not
wearing a tie and popping open the top button on a shirt, while for another it
means flip flops and shorts.
In order to plan your wedding just the way you
want it, you’ll need to work out what your expectations are and how you can
incorporate them into your casual themed wedding. Maybe you’d like the dress
code to be relatively formal, yet have the wedding in a laid back environment
like in a forest or on the beach.
Or maybe you want everyone to dress
comfortably (smart casual) and do something as low-key as a picnic in a park or
even a BBQ in your own backyard. Generally, the key is to find the right
balance between elegance and simplicity.
Pay attention to the invites
Invitations can really set the tone for your
wedding and help guests to know what to expect from the event. Classic wedding
invitations for example, would be pretty and poised, perhaps with a picture of
two rings intertwined or lots of white lace and ribbons, whereas the
invitations for a casual wedding can be more imaginative and use actual photos
of the couple or have an amusing twist.
Have fun with the invites and don’t get too
stuck on following traditions like white paper and flourished handwriting. Use
colors, photos and whatever else you feel will embody the theme that you and
your partner have chosen for the wedding.
Choose the a location and décor that fit your theme
For a casual American style wedding, you want
people to feel relaxed and at ease in their environment, and the location and
décor will play a big part in accomplishing this. You want your guests to be able to let their
hair down, laugh with friends and lounge in chairs or sofas that don’t make
them feel they have to sit up straight or worry about staining the upholstery.
Outdoor weddings are especially great for
casual weddings, as you can skip the traditional white tablecloths and go with
a décor that blends with your surroundings. A large park or clearing in a
forest (preferably one that isn’t too remote – think of your guests) can make a
lovely outdoor setting where simple things like hand picked flowers and checked
tablecloths don’t feel out of place.
If you are forced to host your wedding indoors
due to the weather at the time of your wedding or any other reason, you can
still hit that casual note by adding fun touches like lanterns, colored napkins
and potted plants, and going with a serve-yourself-style buffet that allows
guests to enjoy the food on their own terms.
Decide on the dress code ahead of time
Before you send out your wedding invitations,
decide what type of dress code you would like, and be sure to make that clear
to all who will attend. Casual is one thing, but you may feel a little less
than delighted if some guests turn up in their scuffed jeans and tees.
The best way to encourage guests to put a
little more effort into their casual outfits is to list some kind of theme on
your invite. This could be anything from “summer at the seaside” to “flowers in
spring,” but giving them some type of guideline to follow will ensure that
everyone fits in well with the wedding you have planned and there is a somewhat
uniformed look to it all (this is something you will appreciate later on when
looking at your wedding photos).
Choose an appropriate menu
Just as your décor and dress code should go
with the theme you envisioned, it is important to match your food to the
occasion and, of course, environment. If you are doing an outdoor wedding at a
location that is not your backyard, you will want to include plenty of foods
that can be eaten cold or at least at a temperature that is less than piping
hot. Think cold meats and salmon, olives, cheese, coleslaw, fresh bread and
garlic butter, and even simple favorites like hotdogs and hamburgers that can
be assembled by the guests themselves.
At indoor weddings it is generally easier to
keep foods hot by using hot plates and other such devices, so you can include
pretty much anything you want, as long as it will still taste good after
sitting on a hotplate for more than an hour.
Drinks should also be self-servable, so make
sure you have plenty of carafes for wine, water and non-alcoholic beverages.
Don’t think you have to provide an open bar with every drink imaginable either.
Simple staples like wine and beer are enjoyed by most people, and can easily be
bought in bulk at any supermarket or wholesaler.
Aileen Pablo is a Filipina Event Management
blogger from OpenColleges, one of the pioneers of Online education in Australia and
one of the leading providers of event management
courses. If you want to
feature her on your blog, drop a line at aileen@oc.edu.au.
