In recent years, wedding traditions have changed dramatically, and the bride and groom aren’t the only ones affected. People postponing marriage until later in life and more couples living together before tying the knot are just a few of the recent social changes impacting today’s weddings. Gift-giving trends and pre-wedding rituals, like showers and bachelorette parties, have also become more sophisticated and complex. One could say that modern wedding celebrations are more reflective of reality. Celebrating a marriage today is similar to making any relationship work. It requires understanding, thoughtfulness and patience. The Bachelorette Party While friends and family have been influenced by changes in today’s weddings, no group has seen more challenges than the bridesmaids. Celebrating established relationships and independent women as brides is a difficult task. Here are some suggestions for bachelorette party themes: For Friends and Family - The traditional bachelorette party doesn’t have to be so ... traditional. One of the key elements of any good bachelorette party is the location; so choose a spot that everyone will appreciate. An area such as an outdoor shopping center will allow everyone to come together for a manicure or spa treatment, go off on their own to shop and then reunite for a casual group dinner. A Night on the Town - For those who like to celebrate, a night on the town or a wine tasting at a local winery is a perfect option. Another activity that can include everyone is a progressive dinner. You start out at a trendy location for drinks and appetizers, move to a favorite restaurant for dinner and end at a fun little spot to enjoy dessert.
Road Trip or Day Spa - A growing trend is for the bridal party to come together with the bride for a day trip or a day at the spa to unwind from all of the planning just before the actual wedding. This is a great way to be alone together as a group one last time.
Wedding Gifts Finding the perfect wedding gift has never been more difficult… and simple! The need for the traditional “starter” gifts minimized to some extent by many couples choosing to live together before they marry. Is there even such a thing as the “perfect wedding gift” anymore? “The key to finding the perfect gift is to try and match the couple’s taste, and to celebrate what makes the relationship special,” said Angela Thompson of American Greetings. Thompson offers the following gifting tips: Let them know whom it is from by adding a scrapbook to the gift with photos and keepsakes that reflect times that you have spent together. Celebrate their relationship with a gift certificate for an experience that they can enjoy together. With health on the top of everyone’s mind, many couples might enjoy a gift certificate for a health spa or a cooking class. In addition to being more health conscious, many couples today are more socially aware. A gift in the couple’s name to a charity that means something to them is a wonderfully thoughtful gesture. Have some fun such as instead of getting them an item for their kitchen, create a basket of spices, fun cooking utensils and your favorite recipes. They will have as much fun using these as you did picking them out. Pair a gift idea… with a gift certificate to show creativity and flexibility. One of the activities that many couples have after the wedding is exchanging gifts that are items they already have, or that are the wrong design or color, within what is often a limited time. A gift certificate solves that problem and allows them to shop at their leisure. With many people waiting longer before they marry, weddings have begun to reflect more matured styles. Since every bride has her own style and taste in color, guests shouldn’t feel limited by the traditional wedding palettes. “Brides take a great deal of time in coordinating the colors or tone of their weddings,” said Thompson. “The colors in a wedding reflect the bride and groom’s personality, so matching your gift to their color scheme will ensure a presentation more aligned with their tastes and styles.”
Art is Always Special Weddings are a fun occasion and the gifts should reflect that. One easy way to accentuate any gift is to make it a thoughtful or fun accessory. Think outside of the box ... literally. “Weddings today are very personalized and guests are also getting into the spirit,” said Thompson. She suggests using the gift itself as part of the presentation to show off your own style. A wedding gift that is an objet d’art can either be purchased or an expression of your artistic talent. It can be a painting, carving, a weaving, ceramic or a craft. This unique expression of your friendship will always be appreciated.
