Type of Wedding

Garden Weddings-Many couples choose to marry in a private garden setting, as it can provide a less formal environment and a more 'natural' service.

If you are lucky, you may have your own beautiful garden or know someone who is willing to let you be married in theirs.

If not, you can be married in a public garden, or in a private garden hired for the event.

If you have chosen a public garden such as a park, you should advise the local council to avoid conflicting venue arrangements.

When choosing a garden, whether it be public or private, make inquiries and inspect the grounds, taking note of the following features.

Access and parking-Check that parking is adequate for a large number of guests.
While off-street and on-street parking is legal, ensure you will not be encroaching on neighbor’s privacy by blocking their driveways or parking on their land. Also ensure that the wedding party's transport, whether it be bridal cars or a horse and carriage, can maneuver safely inside the grounds.

Friendly for children and the disabled –Ensure the gardens are wheelchair, pram and disability-friendly. Wedding guests often include the very young and the elderly, so this is an important point. Consider whether guests will be able to disembark close to the ceremony site. It can also prove worthwhile to ask for a mud-map of the area to send with your invitations.

Noise-Many a wedding has been spoilt by passing traffic noise.
Ensure the ceremony site is well away from the road, and if possible, not able to be seen from the road. Some motorists have been known to show their appreciation by tooting their horn or shouting their congratulations! While these are lovely thoughts, they may not be quite what you were hoping for during your ceremony. -ask whether the public will be allowed on the grounds while your service is in progress -ensure any noise from waterfalls or fountains is not overpowering -inquire whether your celebrant, or church leader has a public address system (especially useful in large gardens).

Power-Are power points available for stereo systems or any other electrical appliance required for your ceremony.

Chairs & tables-These are required for both the signing of the registry, as well as for your guests. It's a good idea to ask how many are available and to ensure you can use them on the day.

Cigarette disposal-Cigarette butts on the lawn are a nightmare for both garden lovers and photographers. Strategically-placed pots and planters filled with sand can help curb this problem.

Confetti-Ask whether confetti is allowed in the gardens; often, rose petals, bubbles, or other more appropriate 'bio-degradable' material can be substituted.

Dogs-Dogs-for couples wanting their dog (!) in their ceremony, or simply attending, a garden wedding can be the only option. However, remember to ask whether your dog will be welcome, as some gardens may have strict prohibitions.

Water hazards-If ponds, fountains, lakes or other water hazards are located within the grounds, it's a good idea to advise parents before the wedding and ask them to take responsibility for their children's supervision. Also, remember that garden owners will appreciate children not running through, stepping on, or hiding in garden beds.

Public liability-Check the garden owner has public liability insurance

Cover-Inquire about alternate facilities or cover in the case of rain.
Also, check for shade cover, especially if the ceremony will be held at a time when there is no natural shade.

Photography-Is the garden a photographer's paradise? Ask the garden owner about unique features and request that your photographer visit the site before the day.

Toilets-Are they available and do they have wheelchair access? Consider the location of the toilet facilities when choosing a ceremony site -too close and too far are both bad options

Lighting-Is floodlighting available for night use?

Water-Inquire if garden owner will supply drinking water and glasses as an extra service.

Receptions/catering-Some gardens provide a reception or catering service, others allow receptions and catering on their grounds, and others are merely service venues with no reception or catering facilities.
If required, ensure grounds are sufficiently large for a marquee to be erected and facilities are available for caterers. Most importantly, ensure the garden and facilities can remain open for the length of time you require, so any midnight revellers can party all night - even private gardens must abide by regulations. Remember that musicians must have a shaded or covered area that protects both them and their instruments from the elements.

Garden walks-Inquire whether guests may explore the gardens.  Many people enjoy the tranquillity and beauty of well-cared-for gardens, and your guests may appreciate the opportunity to explore at their leisure. This is a perfect activity while the photography session is in progress or to fill any spare time before leaving for the reception. After considering all these factors, sit back for a minute and contemplate whether the garden will welcome you with peace, tranquillity and harmony as you commence your journey of marriage.

 Country Weddings-Beautiful garden settings are now being used in a rather different, but very Australian way - the country wedding

The natural beauty of the Australian bush is the scene for these weddings, with historic homesteads, country hospitality, and home style cooking completing the picture.

Many traditional-style homesteads have been restored and renovated to accommodate wedding receptions, with accommodation often provided for the happy couple and their guests.

Lovely additions to a country wedding include old-fashioned carriage rides and adding a touch of adventure, even hot-air balloon rides.

 Beach Weddings-Living in a State that boasts one of the most beautiful coastlines in the world, it's no wonder many Queensland couples choose to marry on a beach

Like garden weddings, beach weddings can be less formal, and more 'natural' than church weddings. For many couples, marrying on the beach is a natural choice as it reflects an important part of their relationship and lives together.

Let's paint the picture -- a beautiful ocean sunset, a pristine sand shore, you and your mate tying the knot in the midst of one of nature's most alluring settings -- the beach. A beach wedding is a romantic ceremony option that should be considered as you go through the planning process. We've put together a list of the major planning details related to a beach wedding. Just don't forget the sun block! 

Beach weddings, like all weddings, are bound by some restrictions and considerations

How Many People Are Attending?-Your plans begin with an early decision. Are you eloping, inviting a small group, or having a traditional, larger wedding? Ceremonies with fewer attendees allow greater flexibility in location and planning. But it is still possible to plan and execute a beach wedding with a large group.

Budget-This pertains to you and your guests. If you have a large budget available and your guests can afford to visit an exotic location, you should consider paying for access to a private beach attached to a hotel or resort. Private homeowners also rent out their property for wedding ceremonies. Some guests might make a vacation out of the experience, so a resort-friendly location is recommended. A tight budget requires you to get creative. Find a public beach that is off the beaten path so you can have as private a ceremony as possible. Be sure not to pick a spot that is difficult to find or access. Do not plan a wedding that will be unaffordable for most of your guests to attend.

Formal Or Informal?-A beach wedding can be either formal or informal. The more formal the ceremony, the more intricate the planning usually is. Decide early in the process and plan accordingly.

Time Of Day-Many brides dream of a beach wedding and saying "I do" just as the sun sets in the background. Sunset is an excellent time for the ceremony. Most beachgoers have left the sand, so this gives you more privacy. Be sure to factor in the time required with the photographer if you desire sunset poses. Mornings are wonderful as well. Beaches are empty then and the light is perfect for photography afterward. It is also the coolest time of the day. Tides also change during the day; it is always better to have the ceremony when the tide is not coming in. This will cut down but not eliminate the ocean noise and will also prevent a wet, advancing water line from interfering with the proceedings.

Weather-You can't control them, but you must consider a few weather related variables. Try to find a section of beach that is shielded from the wind. Be sure to have a backup location that provides shelter in case of rain or other inclement weather.

 Sand-Another fantastic feature of Queensland beaches is their gloriously long treks of white sand. Unfortunately, for those marrying on the beach the only good thing about sand is the fact that it is usually white, and not likely to do much material damage. Sand will go everywhere folks. And if there's a breeze, or a definite wind, it will whip around your ankles and it will sting your eyes. And if it's raining, there can be puddles, or even small rivers, running down the beach. So, the best advice is to plan alternative arrangements, and have a way of telling everyone at short notice.

Another thing about sand is that it's particularly hard to walk on while wearing heels. You've probably already accounted for this in your choice of bridal wear, but it's probably a good idea to mention the fact to your guests.

Sand can also pose a problem for prams and wheelchairs, so consider this when choosing the particular beach, and where on the beach you will be married.

Floor Or No Floor-The more formal the ceremony, the more reason to rent flooring. At informal beach weddings, guests are often asked to gather round in the sand, barefoot, as the wedding vows are said. A large flooring system can be constructed at a more formal affair to allow guests easier access to and from the beach. If there will be many elderly or disabled guests in attendance, be sure to consider their safety and comfort. A floor with comfortable seating will eliminate ambulatory headaches and chair legs that sink like they are in quicksand.

Decorating-Because the powerful visuals associated with the beach and ocean dominate the scenery, it is good advice to keep the decorations to a minimum. Seashells and starfish are popular adornments, as are other marine-themed items such as miniature boats, anchors, oars, etc. An aisle way lined with indigenous flowers is always beautiful as well. If the ceremony is performed at sundown, consider dramatic lighting options such as torches or elaborate candles.

Chairs-If you forego the floor, chairs will sink in the sand and can prove to be dangerous for elderly or disabled guests. Be sure to have a plan for the chairs so guests are comfortable, especially if the ceremony will be a lengthy process. At some informal beach weddings, guests are asked to stand during the ceremony. But you still must be sure to have some chairs available if that is your choice.

Sound-Due to the abundant natural sounds at the beach, you may wish to include a sound system, if your budget allows. This may not be necessary if the gathering is extremely intimate. We all remember the wedding we attended when we couldn't hear the vows being spoken. Don't let that happen to you.

Music-Consider portable instruments with high-pitched notes that travel well outdoors without drowning out the natural sounds of the ocean. Flute or violin soloists are popular, as are a saxophone, accordion, cello, harp, or guitar. Another favourite is the steel drum. It can provide the perfect touch to a tropical setting.

Restrooms-If the ceremony is held on a hotel or resort beach, be sure to alert all guests to the exact location of the bathrooms. If it takes place on a remote section of sand, you must consider renting toilets if none are nearby. Even if some facilities are available nearby, your guests might rather use a clean portable toilet than a filthy public restroom.

Arrival-The beach setting provides exciting options for your arrival. A water landing in a 30-foot outrigger canoe can supplant the traditional limousine service. Some couples have arrived via boat. Other couples have landed on the sand in a helicopter.
Tent-The last thing you want to do is obscure the natural beauty of your surroundings by having your ceremony in a tent. However, a tent should be kept on call if there is not a nearby facility that can be reserved in case Mother Nature does not cooperate.

Permits And Parking-If you have the budget or connections to hold the ceremony on private beach property, parking for your guests and permits for the site (if required) should be part of the negotiated fee. If you plan to hold the wedding on a public beach, be sure to find out if permits are necessary. Pay for them if there is any chance that local authorities will interrupt your event in search of the proper paperwork. (People wanting to marry on a beach must consult their local council for permission)

Finally, if parking is not free, purchase it in advance for your guests so they do not have to go out of pocket to park.

So go ahead and send out your message-in-a-bottle invitations. There might be no more naturally romantic setting for your wedding ceremony than the beautiful coastline.

Consider the tides!-A particularly high or low tide may not be desirable for both practical and photographic reasons, so consider where you'd like the water to be during your ceremony (preferably not around your ankles), and plan around it. If you haven't already set a wedding date in concrete, you can probably choose your ceremony time and find a date that will coincide. Your photographer and videographer can help you decide what tide will work best. Tide books are available at book stores, sports and fishing outlets, and some bait shops.

Sun-Remember that for the duration of the ceremony, you and your guests will be standing in the sun. You could suggest on the invitations that your guests bring umbrellas.

Children + Supervision-Children should be well supervised around all water areas. Unlike a church, the beach provides children with plenty reason to run away to something more interesting. If children are attending, and if you don't want your guests chasing their kids down the beach throughout the ceremony, you should ensure all parents are aware of the dangers and distractions, and will mind their children. If many children are attending, you may choose to organise a child minder.

Themed Weddings

A themed wedding is an individual and fun way of individualising your wedding. Try to choose a theme that best defines your tastes, characters and relationship. 

If you or your partner have a strong cultural background, you could choose to theme the wedding in that way, for example with a Scottish, Asian, or Aboriginal theme. Or, if you met in an unusual way, for example on a Greek island, you could theme your wedding in much the same way. Other themes currently popular are Celtic, romantic candlelight, and flowers.

Once you have decided on a theme, you need to decide how to carry it out. Most couples dress themselves and their attendants in accordance with the theme, as well as decorating their ceremony area and reception venue appropriately. You can also use theme-styled invitations, flowers, jewellery, and wedding cake. If you know enough about your theme, you can plan your entire wedding to match it.

1920s-Think flappers, silent movies and the jazz age if you'd like your wedding day to have a roaring twenties feel. Dress your bridesmaids in straight hanging dresses with cloches (close-fitting, bell-shaped hats). For the bride, go for intricate beading on your gown. If your ceremony location and officiant permit it, opt for low backed dresses, which were also very much the rage. For your reception, consider a jazz band and a martini bar serving -- what else -- 'bootlegged' gin. The twenties was also the era of the Ford Model-T, a motif well suited to imaginative table centrepieces and the groom's cake. Send your wedding theme home with your guests in the form of CD favours featuring Duke Ellington or George Gershwin. 

1940s-Due to WWII rationing, women often got married in their best dress, so the look for a '40s themed bride and her attendants is understated and tailored. Consider stockings with seams for women and streamlined, single-breasted suits for men. Bridesmaids might wear dresses with sweetheart necklines and three-quarter length sleeves, and small 'crown' hats with short veils attached. 

For your reception, think swing. You may even want to consider a few dance lessons at the start of the party so that everyone can get up and dance. This was a great era for music and your guests can dance the night away to musicians like Frank Sinatra and the Glenn Miller Orchestra. Favours might include a CD of big band music or, for a more whimsical feel, a ration or two of yummy chocolates complete with strict instructions not to hoard. 

1950s-If you're planning on a '50s style wedding, you have plenty of inspiration to draw upon. Jacqueline Kennedy, Grace Kelly and Audrey Hepburn were all '50s brides and you might consider drawing a detail or two from the dresses they wore. Short, bouffant veils were also popular and gowns tended to be fitted on top with full, ankle-length skirts. For the reception, why not go for a sock hop theme with a jukebox playing Tony Bennett, Chuck Berry and Elvis tunes, and a malt shop style serving station whipping up milkshakes in different flavours. For your groom's cake, you might consider an 'I Love Lucy', Elvis or '50s car theme. To further the fun, send slices home with your guests in Tupperware containers. Invitations motifs could include jukeboxes, records and cars with big fins. 

1960s-If you've chosen a '60s theme for your wedding, why not go all the way with a Woodstock reception in an open field. Wear a light, flowing peasant gown and encourage your guests to show up dressed for fun in the sun. For wedding favours, anything tie-dyed will be perfect, including t-shirts, hair accessories or little boxes of chocolates wrapped in swatches of tie-dyed cloth. Music choices are almost limitless with artists like Bob Dylan, The Grateful Dead, The Byrds and Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young all making their marks during this era. 

If you'd like a slightly more formal wedding, why not go for a Mod theme. Dress your groomsmen in sharp '60s suits and make your post-reception getaway on a Vespa scooter. The groom's cake provides more opportunity for imagination. Consider a scooter or a lunar landing module cake topper. 

1970s-Break out your boogie shoes and get ready to dance the night away. Simply utter the word 'disco' to your DJ and he or she should be prepared to take it from there. Find a reception location with a huge glitter ball and light your wedding cake table with lava lamps. For the wedding gown and bridesmaids' dresses, think loose and free flowing or, for a more daring wedding, short skirts. If you have long hair, wear it down in an informal style. 

Consider platform shoes for the women and ask the groomsmen if they're willing to grow some funky sideburns for your big day. In lieu of a dessert table, consider chocolate fondue at each table, with a selection of yummy treats to dip. Keep your dress code casual and dare your guests to break out their bell bottoms. Hold a contest for the best John Travolta impression. 

1980s-Your wedding gown is classically romantic, á la Princess Diana. Think fairy-tale elegant. Bribe your bridesmaids to let you break out the hairspray for big, big hair or dress their feet in tennis shoes adorned with friendship pins for the reception. For the groom's cake, why not flash your new husband back to his Cub Scout days with a pinewood derby model race car theme. Movie and TV themed drinking glasses from this era make for fun centrepiece vases. Get everyone on the dance floor with music by Madonna, Prince and the Revolution and Duran Duran. Pass out prizes for the best moonwalkers. Send the whimsy home with your guests in the form of Rubik's Cube favours. 

Renaissance-Candles, candles, candles! Choose a location with lots of stonework and stained glass and decorate key areas with chunky candles on wooden or metal stands. Carry candles down the aisle during the ceremony and exchange your vows at the ceremony location's front door as couples did during the Renaissance, if your officiant will allow it. Dress in dark, royal hues (definitely no white) with long sleeves and tastefully low cut necklines. In lieu of a veil, wear a wreath of fresh flowers or ivy. If your groom is reticent to go all out with a period tunic and breeches, dress him in slightly more fitted pants and a billowy shirt for a hint of the period. 

Think roast meat, cheeses and pastries filled with meats and vegetables for dinner fare and, for dessert, consider a croquembouche in place of a traditional wedding cake. This traditional French wedding pastry (cream puffs piled in a pyramid with a generous drizzling of caramel) calls to mind the old custom of piling small cakes in a pyramid at the wedding feast. You and your new spouse must try to kiss over the pile for good luck. For reception decorations, try to incorporate wheat (symbolizing fertility) and tapestry designs for a wonderful Renaissance feel. 

Victorian-In 1840, Queen Victoria started a wedding fashion trend that has continued to this day when she donned a white wedding gown. For a Victorian wedding, look for a fitted bodice, full skirt and lace accents. Fashion advanced rapidly during the Victorian period, so you have many styles to choose from. Some potential accessories include flat shoes with ribbons or bows at the instep, kid gloves with a slit to free up the ring finger and embroidered stockings. Bridesmaids can wear veils along with the bride. Carry your bouquet in a tussy-mussy -- a cone shaped flower holder popular during Victorian times. 

Indulge your sweet tooth by serving a wedding cake as well as a bride's cake and a groom's cake. The wedding cake was generally a fruitcake with elaborate white frosting. The bride and groom's cakes were smaller, with a slice for each attendant. The bride's cake was light and airy and the groom's dark and rich. Favours were baked into the bride's cake and the type of charm found in each slice brought a certain kind of luck. For the getaway, pass out a few satin slippers. The slippers are tossed at the car and if one lands inside, you and your new spouse will have good luck. 

Wild West-For a Wild West themed wedding, find a barn or other rustic location to evoke that frontier feeling. This is your opportunity to break away from the classic white wedding gown and tuxedo. Brides in the Wild West rarely wore white and often dressed in dark coloured wool or linen dresses with colourful shawls. For the groom, think about a knee-length gentleman's coat and high-waisted pants with suspenders. And of course, boots. 

Barbecue is a natural choice for the reception menu. Opt for real stick-to-your-ribs options, including beef, chicken, baked potatoes, etc. For a real western flavour, hire a fiddler or a bluegrass band and treat your guests to a good old-fashioned square dance. Consider a pony express motif on your invitations and a gold rush theme for your groom's cake. Send your guests home with playing cards or chocolate cigar favours. 

Autumn-Autumn themed weddings are opportunities to bring splashes of brilliant colour into the mix. Look to deep oranges, rich browns and bold reds when choosing bridal party attire and decorations. Accent your bridesmaids' gowns with colourful shawls to ward off the evening chill. For the bride's gown, consider a fabulous gold gown or a lustrous ivory dress with gold accents. Choose locations with dark woods and stonework. 

For centrepieces, consider baskets filled with colourful gourds and dried corn or, if the season allows, fishbowls filled with gorgeous turned leaves. Warm your guests with hot soup, chicken or turkey, and steaming mashed potatoes or squash. Pumpkins, gourds, haystacks and autumn leaves make wonderful motifs for invitations. For favours, wrap packets of pumpkin seeds in swatches of vibrant orange cloth. 

Christmas-Have a very merry wedding with bridesmaids decked out in red and green and groomsmen boasting sprigs of holly in their lapels. Consider a snow-white wedding dress trimmed in faux fur for the bride. For dinner, opt for hot, holiday foods like baked ham, turkey, mashed potatoes and soft bread. Supplement your wedding cake with sugar cookies in all manner of Christmas shapes. 

For decorations, faux snow, twinkling lights and silver streamers will set the mood. Set a potted poinsettia on each table for a simple, evocative centrepiece. Invitations can be rendered holiday-ready with evergreen trees, snowmen, mistletoe and horse-drawn sleighs. Send your guests home with edible snowballs (marshmallow confections rolled in coconut) in red and green boxes. 

Cinco De Mayo-For a Cinco de Mayo themed wedding, host a fabulous fiesta with good food and wonderful music. Consider the deep green or vibrant red of the Mexican national flag for your colour theme and go from there. Work fragrant orange blossoms into your bridal bouquet. For centrepieces, think about vases filled with fresh magnolia blossoms. For dinner, serve up wonderful Mexican dishes such as seviche (a fish dish) and carnitas with pico de gallo (a pork dish with a tomato/avocado based sauce). Get your guests in the mood with a rousing mariachi band. For favours, make wonderful scrolls for your guests explaining the history behind Cinco de Mayo. Tie the scrolls with thick red and green ribbon. 

Easter-An Easter themed wedding is a wonderful option if you expect to have plenty of children in attendance. Pick a date that should be warm and throw a casual picnic reception. For colours, you might choose bold oranges or purples, or you may opt for pastel shades of pink, yellow, blue or lavender. Carry a bunch of daisies or daffodils as you walk down the aisle, perhaps with an Easter Lily or two tucked in the middle. For centrepieces, use baskets filled with wildflowers in delicate shades. Serve up a variety of sandwiches, salads and yummy platters of meats and cheeses. After lunch, send the kids out for an egg hunt. Send everyone home with miniature chocolate bunnies. Eggs, flowers and bunny rabbits make excellent motifs for the invitations. 

Fourth Of July-Move the festivities outside for this summer holiday wedding. Dress your bridesmaids in royal blue and accent your groomsmen in a matching shade. For flowers, start with white as your base and thread accents of red and blue for a subtle holiday feel. Irises, bachelor buttons and forget-me-nots are wonderful choices for blue blooms. For red, consider gladiolus, gerbera daisies and red devil roses. Keep things casual with a cookout, complete with hot dogs, hamburgers, potato salad and chips. Dish out refreshing bowls of ice cream along with the wedding cake. In lieu of rice or birdseed, pass out sparklers and matches for a real Fourth of July send-off. For favours, think about red, white and blue petits fours individually boxed and tied with red and blue ribbons. 

Halloween-Look for a reception location with a slightly gothic feel for your Halloween themed wedding. Keep your colour scheme subtle, with undertones of orange and brown. Consider black, chocolate or champagne coloured bridesmaids' gowns. Dress your groomsmen with chocolate cosmos boutonnières. For a bit of silliness, find patterned ties with pumpkins, ghosts or haunted houses. Mix orange flowers like day lilies, straw flowers and sensation or versilia roses into your bouquet and flower arrangements. 

For centrepieces, consider setting a pumpkin on a light bed of straw. If your reception will be child-friendly, tuck a magic marker in the straw along with a note encouraging your smaller guests to make jack o' lantern faces. Clue your DJ into your party theme and feed him a few classics to include in the music list, such as "Monster Mash," "Ghostbusters" and "The Purple People Eater." Ghosts, haunted houses, jack o' lanterns and movie monsters make excellent motifs for the groom's cake and invitations. Send your guests home with little trick or treat bags filled with candy. 

Mardi Gras-Assign a few helpers to pass out plastic bead necklaces to each guest as they arrive and you are sure to signal that your wedding will be anything but ordinary. Official Mardi Gras colours are purple, green and gold so consider bridesmaids gowns in deep burgundy or hunter green. For bouquets and flower arrangements, consider purple flowers accented by lush greenery. Some wonderful purple flower choices include lilac, delphinium, aster, orchid, violet, blue bird rose and pansy. For centrepieces, consider lovely Mardi Gras masks. Zydeco or jazz music will set the mood nicely. 

Ask your caterer to provide the makings for Hurricanes and Mint Juleps along with the standard bar fare and serve up a yummy Cajun feast with dishes like jambalaya, crawfish etouffee and Louisiana red beans and rice. For the groom's cake, think about a traditional New Orleans king cake. Masks, beads and jesters make good motifs for invitations. Send your guests home with little jars of Cajun spices along with a recipe for one of the fabulous dishes they sampled at the reception. 

Note: A version of Mardi Gras -- Carnival -- is celebrated in Brazil and Italy. For an additional twist, consider serving Brazilian or Italian food and providing fabulous Latin music for an evening at Carnival. 

New Year-A New Year themed wedding is the perfect excuse for a swank, ultra-formal affair. Accent your groomsmen's tuxes with silver bowties and dress your bridesmaids in a similar hue. For the wedding gown, think grand, classic, show-stopping. If your officiant is willing, supplement your wedding vows with resolutions you will each take to ensure that your first married year is truly special. Be certain that your DJ has "Auld Lang Syne" at the ready and arrange for a countdown to your cake cutting. Hold the knife over the cake as the countdown approaches zero before plunging in. Feed each other your first slice to the tune of "Auld Land Syne." 

For a simple yet symbolic centrepiece, set the bottle of champagne your guests will toast with in the centre of the table surrounded by streamers. In lieu of rice or birdseed, provide your guests with sparklers and matches for a fireworks-style send-off. Calendars, popping champagne corks and fireworks make excellent themes for your invitations. Send your guests home with little bags of noisemakers. 

Spring-Think light and airy for your springtime wedding. Delicate pastel hues make wonderful choices for bridesmaids' gowns and decorative accents. Choose beautiful sunny flowers like bells of Ireland, sunflowers, hyacinths, daffodils and calla lilies for bouquets and other flower arrangements. The bride and her bridesmaids might wear their hair loose, perhaps with wreaths of fresh flowers. For centrepieces, consider bowls of fresh wildflowers or use no centrepieces at all. Instead supply each table with a trio of icy pitchers filled with lemonade, iced tea and water. 

Opt for a wonderful lemon wedding cake with fresh flower decorations and provide bowls of mixed berries as an alternative dessert. Invitations made with pressed flower designs evoke thoughts of springtime, as will a pastel shaded paper with a delicate lettering style. Send your guests home with little bags filled with flower seeds or strawberries. 

Summer-For summer wedding colours think bold and bright, even tropical. Sunflowers, gerbera daisies, freesia and, of course, roses make wonderful flower choices. Consider a hand-tied bouquet of a single variety for the bride and fresh bunches of wildflowers for the bridesmaids. Keep the meal light -- chicken and vegetable kebabs make for a wonderful twist on standard wedding fare. A juice or iced coffee bar is also sure to hit the spot in hot weather. 

For centrepieces, think about colanders of sugared fruits. Keep your wedding cake light with fruit fillings or meringue icing. As an alternative dessert, dish up bowls of ice cream or sorbet. Opt for miniature bottles of bubbles instead of rice or birdseed for a fun, summery send-off. Treat your guests to bags of raspberries as a yummy wedding favour. 

Thanksgiving-A turkey feast is the obvious choice for a Thanksgiving themed wedding. Add stuffing, mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce to complete the meal. Opt for festive autumn colours like brown, orange or burgundy for your colour palette. Some wonderful flower choices include day lilies, chocolate cosmos, tulips and strawflowers. Think about rich chocolate coloured ribbons or raffia as accents. For centrepieces, consider placing a cornucopia, or horn of plenty, on each table, brimming with fruit or flower petals. A cornucopia would make a wonderful design for the invitations as well. Send your guests home with petits fours in orange and brown. 

Valentine's Day-A Valentine's Day themed wedding is the perfect opportunity for a colour progression -- the use of different shades and intensities of the same colour. The base colour -- red -- can be interpreted through the use of hot pink, soft mauve, vibrant red and a host of other shades. Hearts, of course, are a classic Valentine design and can be subtly (or not-so-subtly) woven through your décor. Drape heart-shaped flower wreaths on doors. Festoon seating cards with hearts and give little favour boxes with hearts stamped on the cover. Continue the Valentine theme with raspberry filling in the wedding cake. 

There are many wonderful red and pink flowers that would work well in centrepieces. Amaryllis, lisianthus, straw flower and ranunculus are just a few. Intersperse them with white varieties for a lovely mix. Send your guests home with favour boxes filled with candy red hots or perhaps pine nuts -- a snack reputed to have amorous qualities. 

Winter-It's time for a snowball wedding! Bride, bridesmaids, flower arrangements -- all gleaming in white. Some wonderful flowers to think about include the Bianca rose, lily of the valley, stephanotis, sweet pea and tuberose. For bridesmaids' dresses, look for snugly long sleeves with faux fur trimmings. For centrepieces, further the theme with simple white vases filled with white flowers. Or, for a more colourful choice, coil a nice warm scarf in the centre of each table and pile a pair of matching mittens on top. 

Warm your guests with hot soups and spicy entrees. Have your caterer serve up hot toddies along with the usual bar fare and think about a snowman mould for the groom's cake. Snowballs, horse drawn sleighs and mittens make wonderful motifs for the invitations. Send your guests home with little tins of hot cocoa mix to keep them warm after your winter wedding has passed. 

Cannes-If you'd like to host a wedding that will keep your guests talking long after the festivities have ended, a Cannes themed wedding may be just the choice for you. Combine the fabulous food of Provencal France with all of the glitz and glamour of a high profile film festival. Serve up a fabulous Provencal meal with options like whole roasted fish, chicken with fennel and pistou soup. For dessert, serve a croquembouche or corne d'abondance -- cream puffs drizzled in caramel either stacked or displayed in a horn of plenty. 

Dress your bridesmaids in bold red or eye-catching metallic silver. Finish the look with dark sunglasses for the entire wedding party. Roll out the red carpet for your guests, either at the ceremony or reception location. Name your guest tables after celebrities or hotels on the French Riviera. Send your guests home with little chocolate sunglasses in favour boxes wrapped with silver or gold ribbon. 

Country Fair-A country fair themed wedding is best held outdoors on a warm spring day. Think casual, with picnic tables in lieu of more formal seating and a barbecue spread, or perhaps a relaxed food station set-up. Hamburgers, sausage and pepper sandwiches and corn on the cob make great staples. If you'd like a real midway feel, ask your caterer to arrange for a funnel cake station to supplement the wedding cake. For centrepieces, look to wildflowers and ask your florist to incorporate blue ribbons into each arrangement. Alternatively, raid a crafts bazaar and choose a different craft to feature at each table. 

Drape your guest book table with a lovely quilt and consider flowery tablecloths for other areas. For entertainment, be sure that your band or DJ has a few country and western songs on the play list. Or, if you want to go wild, hire a fiddler or a bluegrass band for a good old-fashioned square dance. Send your guests home with favour boxes filled with animal crackers or homemade cookies. 

English Garden-An English garden themed wedding will start, of course, with flowers. Floral centrepieces, wreaths and arches will all add to the décor. Let your decorations run a little wild, with flowers overflowing from bowls and spilling off the edges of tables. Some wonderful options include alstroemeria, anemone, azalea, aster, narcissus, iris and, of course, roses. Colours can be soft and muted -- pastels are a wonderful choice. 

Consider hosting an afternoon tea reception in lieu of a sit-down dinner. Serve a variety of teas, finger sandwiches and scones. Ask your baker to incorporate vine-work and wonderful sugar flowers into the wedding cake. For invitations, consider designs incorporating thatched-roof cottages, flowers and wrought iron gates. Send your guests home with little pots of blackcurrant jam or perhaps individual bars of lavender soap wrapped with lovely purple ribbon. 

Fairy Tale-If you plan to take a specific fairy tale for your theme, the story itself will offer wonderful ideas. However, there are plenty of options that will work with just about any popular fairy tale. For the bride's attire, think about a big, puffy ball gown. This is also the perfect excuse for a train and a long veil. Satin and tulle are wonderful fabrics for a fairy princess gown. Dress the bridesmaids in lovely pastels and outfit the men with cutaway jackets. If your wedding is being held in a tent, run thick ribbons down from the support structures, maypole style. For centrepieces, consider bowls overflowing with wildflowers. 

Opt for banquet style tables instead of the traditional round ones and serve an abundance of simpler foods rather than fussier meal choices. Your baker may be able to incorporate a castle theme into your cake. If not, consider accenting the cake and cake table with fresh flowers. Horse drawn carriages, castles and bows make wonderful motifs for invitations. Look for old-fashioned wording and lettering for a fairy kingdom feel. Send your guests home with little chocolate knights on horseback for a perfect ending to your dreamy wedding. 

Masquerade-A black tie reception with a twist! For a masquerade themed wedding, the bride and groom's attire should be dramatic. For the bride, think about a strapless ball gown with opera length gloves and a stole, possibly in platinum or gold. If the weather is cold, consider a floor length cloak for entrances and exits. The groom might wear a cutaway or tailcoat jacket with a bold red pocket handkerchief. Bridesmaids might be dressed in black, red or silver and the entire wedding party should be supplied with masks. Encourage your guests to bring their own masks, but remember to provide an ample selection at the reception for those who arrived without. 

A cocktail reception will work well for this theme, as will a dramatic choice in wedding cakes. Consider a satellite cake or perhaps one with bold designs in red and black. For centrepieces, think about a bud vase with a single bold bloom -- such as a red devil rose -- or perhaps a feather arrangement in lieu of flowers. For favours, place three black and white cookies in a box with a mask design stamped on the cover. 

Nautical-Seek out a reception location on the river or oceanfront for natural ambiance. Hang thick ropes tied in various sailors' knots around windows and rafters and lean old weathered oars in corners. Place citronella candles and lanterns throughout the reception space. Think about lobster buoys or galvanized buckets filled with sand and seashells as imaginative centrepieces. Deep blue dresses for your bridesmaids and blue blazers with khaki pants for the groomsmen will keep to the ocean theme without subjecting your nearest and dearest to sailor suits. 

For dinner, opt for fresh fish or perhaps a relaxed clambake. Lighthouses, fishing boats and seashells make excellent invitation motifs. Get a little silly with the groom's cake and ask for a great white shark or pirate theme. Send your guests home with favour boxes filled with oyster crackers or perhaps gummy fish. 

Sports-For a sports themed wedding, schedule your big day during warm weather and opt for a relaxed, picnic-style wedding in the great outdoors. Find a reception location with access to an open field and provide soccer balls and footballs for your guests to enjoy. If you've decided on a sports theme, chances are you have a favourite team in mind. Use the team colours as your starting point and select wedding colours within that palette. For example, red might be interpreted through burgundy gowns for the bridesmaids and soft mauve tablecloths. Consider dressing the couple and wedding party in traditional wedding garb for the ceremony, then changing into team jerseys and jeans for the reception. 

Have menus printed up naming each dish after a favourite athlete, coach or manager. Keep the theme subtle on the wedding cake, perhaps with baseball stitching or a criss-cross racquet pattern piped into the design. Get wilder with the groom's cake and let your baker concoct a tribute to your favourite team or sport. Send your guests home with favour boxes filled with sports themed chocolate miniatures, or sugar cookies decorated to resemble baseballs, soccer balls or footballs. 

Summer Camp-Seek out a rustic setting for your camp themed wedding -- possibly a lodge or outdoor tent near the woods. Keep the dress code casual and look to nature for your colour scheme. Rust, hunter green and chocolate are all excellent options. Bring a bit of irreverence to formal wedding attire with white decorated sneakers for the bride and sturdy black hiking boots for the groom. If your caterer is game, serve dinner the way they did at sleep-away camp, with central food platters at each guest table from which guests serve themselves. Be sure to stock each table with THE camp essential, bug juice (Kool Aid or punch, for the uninitiated). 

In lieu of toasts, why not ask members of the wedding party to share ghost stories remembered from childhood camp days. End the toasts with a rousing rendition of a favourite camp song -- place lyrics at each guest table. Send your guests home with favour-box kits complete with the ingredients and instructions needed to make s'mores (marshmallow, graham crackers, chocolate).  

Swing-Get ready to dance up a storm. For dress, look to the 1940s. Due to WWII rationing, women often got married in their best dress, so the look is understated and tailored. Consider stockings with seams for the women and streamlined, single-breasted suits for the men. Bridesmaids might wear dresses with sweetheart necklines and three-quarter length sleeves and small 'crown' hats with short veils attached. You'll also want to be certain that the bride and her bridesmaids can dance the night away, so knee or street length dresses may be in order. 

For your reception, find a band that specializes in swing music or a DJ who can provide both vintage tunes and the current retro-swing sounds. You may want to set aside a section of the dance floor for beginners and hire a dance instructor to conduct lessons throughout the evening. Send your guests home with CD favours including tunes from the Glenn Miller Orchestra and Duke Ellington. 

Things to Consider-Consider these ways to make your wedding a little different: 

* Hold your wedding at dawn, in a simple garden ceremony, and follow it up with a champagne breakfast. 

* Hold the champagne breakfast first, then the ceremony, then jump into a hot air balloon with your new spouse and float away for a carefree day.

* Hold a fancy dress party, and surprise guests by turning up as a bride and groom who get married! 

* Some cultures hold weddings that go for days - with a pre-wedding day celebration feast, wedding day, and post-wedding day breakfast. Take a leaf out of their book and have an extended wedding celebration - for as long as you like.

* Hold an intimate ceremony on a beach at sunrise or sundown.

Traditional Church Ceremony

The traditional way to be married is in a religious ceremony in a church. Around 60 percent of Australian couples choose to be married this way.

Most couples who marry in a church do so for religious or traditional reasons.

In a church wedding, you will have a certain amount of control over the ceremony, how it will run, and what will be included. Following is a run through of a traditional wedding ceremony held in a church.

Ushers arrive 40 minutes before official ceremony starting time to greet and seat early arrivals

The groom, best man, and other groomsmen arrive about 20 minutes before the starting time, and take the front row seats on the right hand side (facing the front).

Guests arrive at least 15 minutes early, and ushers show them to their seats. The bride's family and guests sit on the left, the groom's on the right.

The organist begins to play.

The bride's mother arrives and is escorted to the front pew on the left hand side. She leaves an aisle seat vacant next to her for the father of the bride.

The church leader enters, and the groom and his attendants rise and move forward to stand before the altar, to the right of the aisle.

The bridesmaids can arrive 10 minutes before starting time, and wait outside the church for the bride to arrive. Sometimes the bridesmaids arrive with the bride.

When the bride arrives, the bridesmaids help her into the church.

Often, the photographer and videographer will want to capture the bride arriving and entering the church, so it can be wise for her to arrive a few minutes early.

As the bride approaches, a cue is given to the organist to prepare for the wedding march.

The pages, flower girls, and bridesmaids cue at the entry for the bride and her father to enter and stop for a moment as the bride's veil and train are adjusted. The bride is holding her father's right arm. The attendants arrange themselves into position and the organist starts the processional music.

The groom waits for his bride at the front of the church with the best man and other groomsmen on his right hand side.

Accompanied by the bride's father, the bridal procession moves slowly down the aisle. As they near the altar, the father leads his daughter to the groom's left. By leaving her there, he 'gives her away' and takes his seat beside the bride's mother.

The ceremony begins. At this stage, the matron of honour or chief bridesmaid and the best man hold the rings.

Before the rings are exchanged, the chief bridesmaid or matron of honour takes the bride's bouquet and holds it until after the bride has signed the register.

The marriage vows are exchanged, and the newly married couple, their witnesses, and the minister sign the register.

If required, ask permission for photographs and video to be taken inside the church.

The couple precede their attendants out of the church, with the bride on the left of the groom.

As the couple leave the church, they are photographed with various combinations of family and friends and the wedding party.

After the photographs, the best man ensures that all guests have transport to the reception

Sunrise & Sunset weddings-Some of the most acclaimed photography in the world depicts the beauty of a sunset Many other renowned photographs, although not depicting the sunset itself, are taken in those few precious moments during sunset when the light is just so good for the photographer

If you want to capture your wedding photographs during this special time of day, you will need to plan quite carefully.

You will probably find that you will actually plan the rest of your day around this time, so it's important to get it right! 

If you aren't being married on a Saturday, you will see that it shouldn't be too difficult to determine the sunset time at any period during the year.

Another important 'time' aspect to consider for your wedding photographs are the tides.

If your photographic session will be held on a beach, or a tidal river, you should be aware of the high and low tide times, so you can ensure you are there at the right time.

Tide times are usually available from bookstores, fishing tackle shops, and some bait stores.

After you have decided where you want to be married, it's time to set a date. and a time. To do this, firstly choose several suitable dates, approach your church leader, celebrant, or registry office, and book their services and your chosen venue for an available date and time.

How about a Sunday-An interesting point to remember when choosing a date is that Saturday, after all, is only one of the days in the week! As you probably haven't started planning yet, you may not realise that the majority of weddings take place on a Saturday - and there are only 52 Saturdays in a year.  

Therefore, many wedding professionals and suppliers offer largely-discounted rates on Sundays (or any day that is not a Saturday, actually), and you can save a packet! So, if you can't fit your wedding plans in on a Saturday, or if you would value the lower rates, consider a Sunday wedding.Once you know which type of marriage you would like to have, and have booked your date and time, you will find it easier to effectively plan the rest of your special day.

 Added Extras that could be included

 Fireworks-An innovative idea if you are having an outside ceremony is to have a fireworks display.

A limited number of professionals are legally allowed to ignite fireworks, and for safety and legal reasons you should carefully check the credentials of the professional you hire. 

 Releasing the Doves -For the Bride and Groom to release white doves after the ceremony not only evokes a Feng Shui symbol of Good Luck, it is an auspicious beginning to a marriage.

It is wonderful to watch the doves circle above the couple and then fly off, echoing the newly-weds setting off on their journey in life together.

Similar feelings of wonder and adventure can be evoked by releasing white, gold or coloured balloons as the couple leaves the ceremony. 

Ice Sculptures-An innovative option for decorating your reception is an ice sculpture.

Ice sculptures can be clear, allowing light to pass through them to produce a crystal-like effect, or coloured to coordinate with the bridal party's colours. If you can't find one in a design you like, you can design your own. 

You should order your ice sculpture at least one month in advance, and remember that the most important detail is in the timing.

The sculptures are usually delivered 15-30 minutes prior to the start of the reception, and will last between 5 and 10 hours, depending on the design. 

Balloons-Balloons are a popular wedding decoration at the moment. Many companies offer inexpensive yet amazing displays made from helium filled balloons that really can make your celebration look special. 

Bubbles, Bubbles, Bubbles-A great idea for the actual wedding ceremony is to hand out special bubble liquid that's designed to not stain clothes.

Your guests can use the bubble liquid to blow bubbles around you and your husband as you leave the ceremony - a smart alternative to confetti which is bad for the environment, and not so good for your gown, either. 

Savvy Stationery-When ordering your chosen invitation stationery, consider other stationery items such as serviettes, serviette rings, drink coasters, and wine labels.

You can personalise all of these, with your names, the date of the wedding, or even to simply match the invitations. 

Table Ideas-Some couples have found a unique and wonderful way to ensure they capture the essence of their celebration for a lifetime.

They put a disposable camera with flash on every table and encourage their guests to use them to capture the highlights of their table's night.