A new favorite (and super simple!) design that I’ve seen featured by Martha Stewart recently is a DIY table number design, where you have a friend (or your engagement photographer) take photos of you and your groom-to-be holding a number in front of you both, and place each photo in a frame that matches your wedding colors, theme and/or design. You will need one number photo for each table you will have at your reception. You don’t have to limit yourself to numbers either – you could give each table a name, and even it’s own theme – just as long as you also use that number or name on the escort cards too, and your guests can easily read it.

You could be as cute, or as fun and crazy as you want to be – changing outfits, backgrounds scenery and number styles! You could be riding a tandem bike, standing in a grassy field, hiking a mountain (or standing at the top in victory!), walking on an old railroad track, sitting in a boat, or doing some sort of fun activities that you love doing together!

Our partner Kim with Vivid Images Photography, featured in our Behind the Veil blog series, would work with you to take some amazing photos, with all of the fabulous, secret locations she enjoys shooting at!

Although it takes more time than just buying pre-made table number cards from a store, it also allows you to express your individuality – and really, it’s all about having fun throughout the entire wedding planning process, making your wedding unique and individual, and enjoying life with your soon-to-be-groom!

All but gone are the days of sending a bride and groom off from their wedding with rice and bird seed (unless the wedding is in a field, mountaintop or a barn). Most rental facilities don’t even allow confetti as a decoration on your tables with the risk of the mess that potentially could be left for them to clean up – let alone bird seed or rice being thrown outside their doors. Fortunately there are some fun alternatives to the traditional send-offs.

For a day-time wedding and send-off, purchase little containers of bubbles and decorate them to match your theme and colors. Have a friend or family member distribute them to your guests at the end of the wedding celebration, on their way outside to see you off. You will have beautiful send-off photos with bubbles floating through the air everywhere.

Another alternative for evening weddings are sparklers. They’re not just for the 4th of July anymore…although it is a great time of year to buy them and stock up for your nuptials! Take 1-2 sparklers and wrap them with a ribbon of your wedding color(s). Have your friends and family pass them out, or even leave them on the tables with a note attached to them. Provide matches (away from kids reach) for the sparklers, and ask your guests to join you outside and light them when you are leaving. They will give you beautiful photos with the sparkling lights all around you, providing a runway for you to run through to your get-away car.