Should You Write Your Own Wedding Vows?

There are many different ways to make your wedding unique. From the decor to your dress, you'll have a wedding that is special to you. When it comes to the ceremony, writing your own vows is a great way to make it all more personal. However, it isn't for every couple.

While a growing number of couples do choose to write their own vows, many do want to stick with tradition. This might be to connect their wedding with that of past generations, or to reflect a religious ceremony. It can also be a good choice if you are worried about what to say.

If you are writing your own vows, you can be as creative as you'd like. The beauty of writing your own vows is that there is no right and wrong. As long as your words come from the heart and reflect what you want to say to your new spouse, they will be just right for the day.

To have both elements, you can also consider having traditional vows during your ceremony and a toast to one another during the reception. This can allow you to stick to tradition but still express yourself.

For more tips on planning the perfect Philadelphia wedding, or to find out more about using Flourtown Country Club for your venue, give us a call today!

Photo: Flickr/Jennifer Longaway

Planning Ceremony Seating

When your guests arrive at your wedding, they will need some guidance about where they should sit. Whether you follow tradition or not, you’ll need to make plans for your wedding ceremony seating.

Traditionally, a wedding ceremony would have a bride’s side and a groom’s side. This would be behind them as they stood at the front. In times when the bride and groom did not have friends in common, this was an easy way to arrange guests.

However, most of today’s couples share friends. This means that many of your guests might not easily fit on one side or the other. You can accommodate this fact in a few ways.

The first option is to stick to a bride’s side and groom’s side for most guests and have ushers who seat everyone else according to where there is space. This keeps both sides of the venue even, but still has a nod to tradition.

The second option is to invite guests to sit where they like. This means that family members may also mix and mingle so there really are no set sides. In this case, an usher can still help keep the guests evenly spread through the room.

A final option is to do away with sides altogether by removing the aisle. This means a creative entrance for the bride and bridal party, but can ensure that everybody feels they are there for both of you.

A great way to start planning your ceremony seating is to work with an excellent Philadelphia wedding venue. If you want to find out more about having a wedding here at the Flourtown Country Club, give us a call today!

Photo: Flickr/peteandcharlotte

Who Should Toast?

Your wedding reception is a time for great food and good fun. Part of that fun is listening to the toasts. As you plan your big day, you will need to decide who will be giving a toast.

Traditional choices

The traditional choice is to have three toasts. One from the groom, one from the father of the bride, and one from the best man. The groom's toast thanks guests for attending, thanks the wedding party and parents for their help, and says a few lovely words about his bride. The father of the bride will also thank the guests, welcome the groom into his family, and perhaps tell a story about the bride. The best man thanks the couple and says a few words about them, with a focus on the groom.

Common choices

In addition to the three traditional toasts, many couples also have a toast from the bride and her maid of honor. The bride's toast will have similar content to the groom's, while the maid of honor's toast will mirror the best man's toast.

Additional ideas

Depending on family situations, it can be a good idea to either cut back on the toasts or add extra toasts. For instance, if the bride has both a father and step-father, it could be necessary to have both give a toast. If you are worried about toasts going on too long, or there being conflict, you can limit it to just the bride and groom's toast.

Another way to limit the time toasts take is to split them into two sessions. One can be delivered with the meal while another set is given after the cake is cut. You should also be comfortable giving each person a time limit. 

Having great wedding toasts is just one part of having the perfect wedding. One big part is finding the right venue. To find out more about why the Flourtown Country Club is the Philadelphia wedding venue for you, give us a call today!

Photo: Flickr/pudgeefeet

Entertaining Your Wedding Guests

Along with your venue, one of the big ways that you can set the tone for your wedding is with your entertainment. There are lots of options, but you should always include music so your guests can dance the night away.

For music, the decision is generally whether to have a live band or DJ. A live band can add a great atmosphere to a wedding, while a DJ will be able to play a wider range of songs. In either case, they should be able to include the special songs you want for your dances and keep guests having fun.

Many couples also look for other entertainment to add more fun to their wedding day. Popular choices include magicians, who can walk around the reception performing card and other sleight of hand tricks for your guests, and caricature artists. Like photobooths, a caricature artist can give guests something to take home, too.

Whatever entertainment you choose for your Philadelphia wedding, you will want to have an amazing venue for the day. To find out about using Flourtown Country Club for your big day, give us a call!

Photo: Flickr/Chris Schroeder