Endearing Details

Turn your reception into an unforgettable experience with creative and unexpected elements.

AL DEE PRODUCTIONS (aldeeproductions.com)

Love of the Game

An interesting way to make your ceremony unique is to incorporate shared interests. For Jonathan and Michaela Costanza, whose passion is UCF baseball, it was fitting to marry on the university’s Jay Bergman Field, where Jonathan had played many games as a Knight (above). “The UCF grounds crew painted a custom monogram with our initials on the field and used the scoreboard for a custom congratulations message. We also had guest chairs on the field instead of in the stands,” Michaela says. To connect the baseball theme from ceremony to reception, the couple decided to buy every baseball they could find and hand-write names on each one to use as escort cards. Whether it’s the groom’s cake, favors, or even venues, incorporating a personal passion into your big day can truly make it your own.

Misty Miotto (mistymiotto.com)

Don’t Sweat It

The Florida heat can be uncomfortable during outdoor ceremonies. Instead of renting giant fans or tents that may take away from the simple elegance of your wedding, there are more creative—and less expensive—ways to keep your guests from overheating.

• For the ceremony, having parasols or hand fans available for the guests can be both pretty and practical. Personalize it with your monogram or your wedding colors. They also make fun favors for guests to take home.
• Create personalized labels for water bottles that guests can pick up on their way into the ceremony. It’s an attractive way to keep everyone hydrated and serves as a tasteful touch to the overall theme.
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Kristen Weaver (kristenweaver.com)

Seeing Signs

Many brides like to include signage in their big day décor and their photographs. Katy Koble, who married at the Lake Nona Country Club, created a personal sign for the entrance to the ceremony. She filled a cart that her grandfather had found at a flea market with flowers and a wooden monogram from Southern Proper Monograms (southernpropermonograms.com). Other places to incorporate signs are on the guestbook table or in front of the bride and groom table at the reception. Whether it’s a simple decoration or an important message, signs add something distinctive to your big day aesthetic.