Looking to put a fresh spin on things that none of your friends have tried?

Consider some of the creative touches regarded as traditional of an Australian wedding.

Claire and Daniel are a vibrant Australian couple planning a very special blend of what’s old and new as they prepare to tie the knot.


Seating:

I think this seems to be a big one; it seems like there alot of couples who just have the names near the entrance and people can sit anywhere. Normally in an Australian wedding, half the stress is sorting out the all important 'seating plan!' Guests don't choose where they sit you basically allocate them to a table and a spot. When guests attend the reception the plan is displayed so you know where you'll be sitting and when you get to the table your name tag is set for the spot that you'll be sitting. I don't know which system is better really; I know just letting people chose would be easier but I guess this avoids the whole 'oh Auntie Joan must be kept away from cousin Bertha type issue' although it does involve more planning!

I asked Claire if there was any ever issues with guest following the seating chart?

“Yep guests always follow the seating chart. So when you get to a reception you have the seating chart usually outside where you may have pre dinner drinks or something telling everyone which table they are on. They get to that table when they go in and each seat is marked out with a place card with their names so each seat has been specifically allocated. Yes, time consuming! But, yes, also avoids any awkard situations so you don't end up with people that don't like each other near one other.”

Favors:

We tend to call favors “Bomboniere”. It is actually an Italian word for favours given to wedding guest. As traditionally it was an Italian tradition to give the almond as “bomboniere” for wedding favors.

The “Wishing Well:

In Australia most people these days have a wishing well. With the invite they include a little card telling people that “as they have most things they request money instead.” usually this is in form of a poem of some sort. I guess its a bit of a strange one and I know one that we struggled with; asking for gifts by including a note where your registry is set up seems a bit wrong but asking for money even worse! It was one that we really went a bit back and forth about. However, it's very practical and now days everyone here does them. We have four weddings in the next few months and they all have a wishing well card. We thought; maybe if its acceptable now, we'd do it too.
We did try and word our card accordingly however, to let people know we weren't expecting a gift and it was entirely up to them if they wished to: A - get us anything and then B- if they wanted to get is money instead. A bit of a sticky one however and I guess if its something that you aren't used to it can appear quite rude but like I said here its the done thing.
Normally couples use a well (hence the term) but now days people have all sorts of things from a display of pretend boxes all wrapped up with a slot in them, to luggage (to symbolise the honeymoon) I've heard of people having a little post box! Now a few people, me included, are having a old wrough iron bird cage that you drop the envelope in. Normally these will sit on a table inside the reception

At the reception: it’s the speeches, games and dances

This is where each couple puts their own special twist on the overall entertainment. I've heard of Guitar hero to karoke where the best table wins something; To quizes about the couples. oh actually one that I heard of that I liked involves the garter being put on a football (good for football fans out there) The groom turns his back and all the guys get up and try and catch it. The one who catches the ball gets to keep the football and the garter.
Tieing up the Wedding; “What to do with the bouquet?” Sometimes the bride gives her bouquet to someone that she thinks has helped her or that she wants to thank rather than throwing it

Enjoy!

Why did you decide to send out
Save the Dates?

I decided to send out save the dates because a lot of my family is in Colorado (the wedding is in CA). I do have a wedding website, which I think is a great way to spread the word, but I was concerned that less tech-savvy guests might miss out. Also, I think they are very classy and get people excited about the wedding well in advance.

When will be you sending out your
Save the Dates? What made you choose that date?

I am going to send out my Save the Dates in December, about 7 months before the wedding. I chose that date because I wanted out of town guests to take advantage of cheaper airfare, and because there are so many weddings during the summer, I wanted to get mine on everyone’s calendar as soon as possible!

Will your Save the Dates have to match your invitations? Why?

My Save the Dates will match my invitation, because I think the event comes off as more successful and organized if it has a central theme. I think whether they do it consciously or subconsciously, guests will recognize and appreciate that everything is coordinated in terms of color and style.

What info did you choose to put on your Save the Dates and why?

I put our names, the date, the location, and our wedding website on our Save the Date. I’ve read that it’s improper etiquette to put your registries on your invitation or save the date, but you CAN list your wedding website, which will link guests to your registry. Maybe it is sneaky, but it’s one way to direct guests to those oh-so-important registry gifts!










Will you be
including a
monogram?
If so will you use your monogram on other stationary?
I will be including a monogram, and I’d love to put it on stationary! Great idea.

Will you put “and guest” on the envelope of your save the dates?

Yes; I would like to let guests know as soon as possible that they will be allowed to bring a date, so there isn’t confusion.

What are some tips to "wedding" out your guest list?

My fiancé and I both created out lists, and then we paired it down together. There was definitely some negotiating that went on. I don’t think it’s ever easy, but there are just some people that you have to cut.

It is important to remember that it’s your wedding – choose who you want to spend time with on one of the most special days of your life. Don’t make your wedding into a time to “catch up” with people. You should be able to enjoy the day with people you know and care about.

Was there anything particularly stressful about this process?

I love planning, and since this is my big event, obviously I have a lot personally invested in the process! I don’t think it should be stressful. Wedding planning should always be fun. I just try to stay organized. Planning tips on wedding websites such as theknot.com are great resources. Also, keeping a budget and sticking to it helps you stay on track.

Do you have any tips to share concerning save the dates/wedding stationary?

I would say use wedding websites to look up proper wording for invitations; that really helped. Also, I am getting two sample options made so my family can help choose which one should go out to guests. It is a small gesture, but helps everyone feel involved. Buying samples is a must!