Clever food, decor, and bridesmaid ideas for a memorable wedding party

Bridesmaids wearing white

What it is: White isn’t taboo for your attendants anymore! Think every shade of white possible – ivory, cream, beige. 

Why we love it: An all-white group of girls is unbelievably modern. It shows the bride is confident enough to stand alongside other women in white. Besides, you’ve got the biggest white dress anyway.  

Going further: Have your bridesmaids don the same dress style for a stronger, white fashion statement.

A photo posted by | Love Katie + Sarah | (@lovekatieandsarah) on Nov 3, 2015 at 6:21pm PST

Functional Favors

What it is: Favours that serve a purpose.

Why we love it: ‘Cos we have enough of chopsticks that don’t match those at home. Brides now are savvier since they’ve been on the receiving end too. Favours topping the chart include sure-to-eat jam or honey; potted tabletop plants; and useful tea strainers.

Going further: It’s more cost-effective to find mini food items that come in a pack. Each pack usually yields three to six items which you can share among two or three guests.

Brides, speak up!

What it is: More brides are giving speeches, after their husbands’.

Why we love it: It’s right, and about time too. A wedding, after all, celebrates the union of two and they will have different sets of people to honour and thank. Just keep speeches short and sweet. 

Going further: Most couple thank their parents and friends. How about you thanking each other for having worked hard at your relationship to come this far? It’s worth something, surely.  

The garden centrepiece

What it is: More than just bringing the outdoors into the ballroom, this is about adding a rich, “green” feel – look to floral centrepieces comprising many pots of plants or edible herbs.

Why we love it: With lush greenery, centrepieces “feel” more casual-chic. They’re eco-friendly too – each guest can take one pot as a favour. 

Going further: Get potted flowers and plants in different sizes; the centrepiece will look more interesting. 

The bride party uniform

What it is: During the helping out or “ragging” stages, your bridal entourage wears fun, standard gear to identify them.

Why we love it: It’s cute to see a bunch of grown-ups in the same togs as they clear their chores on the big day. The get-up can be simple black/white cotton tees, each printed with a witty tag identifying the helper’s role, eg “Best Man – I do whatever the groom can’t do”.

Going further: Have your helpers suggest their own tags in one afternoon of group activity. It helps the bonding, if they aren’t already friends.  

Drinks on wheels

What it is: Trucks that serve up drinks at your party.

Why we love it: You can move your party from ballroom to... wherever. Plus, it’s a fun, cheeky note a younger set will appreciate. So if

you and hubby are the partying sort, check out Drinkdings (www.drinkdings.com) which also comes with bartending staff.

Going further: If this idea doesn’t work for your main reception, use it at a thank-you after-party for your helpers. 

A photo posted by KUBARZ (@kubarz) on Jun 30, 2015 at 1:08am PDT

Home-style food

What it is: In line with rustic weddings, home-style food, like sandwiches, pies, pastries, are being served during the cocktail hour, post-ceremony, or during the reception itself.

Why we love it: It’s unpretentious, and so easy to eat, even kids can enjoy it.

Going further: How about a spread of “nostalgic food”? You can build a list of favourites including those of your parents and grandparents. 

Photo: Her World Brides December 2014

So shabby, so chic

What it is: Stand-out or large photo displays, styled to look shabby-chic.

Why we love it: It makes sense; if a couple wants to share their photographs, why restrict it to just that one album on a stand? Enlarge your fave pictures (leave them unframed) and clip them to twine strung between unfinished crates, or twirled around the centrepieces on guests’ tables. Guests will enjoy the closer look.

Going further: Worry that shabby-chic looks, well, too shabby for older family members? Try a vintage-glam look instead – it ups the sophistication level. Place photos in old-style silver frames, and put a cluster of frames at different spots such as the reception counter and guest tables. Scatter flower petals around the frames to “build on” the mood. 

Photo: Her World Brides December 2011

Photo: Her World Brides December 2011

Cool treats

What it is: An ice cream counter at your reception. 

Why we love it: Dessert and candy counters are nice. But an ice cream bar is way cooler, and more current. Serve popsicles, mini sorbet tubs or ice cream in waffle “cups”. This is a sure-win-guests-over move.

Going further: Have a complete “cold bar”. Add yogurt and toppings (or whatever else you want) to the ice cream list, so guests have a fuller selection. 

The unique hen party

What it is: Celebrating the last days of your singlehood with your girlfriends without the usual drink/club/massive hangover scene.

Why we love it: The idea is to spend the time more meaningfully. Hen parties have graduated to holistic spa holidays in Bali or Thailand (if your pocket’s deep enough), group lessons on cooking, or scrapbook-making sessions.

Going further: One hen party may lead to a new long-term hobby that you share with a good friend. Apart from scrapbook-making lessons, how about pottery or jewellery making?

Let them eat plate!

What it is: Hors d’oeuvres and canapes served in or on “crockery” you can eat. 

Why we love it: Picture this: It’s cocktails. You’re served small chicken pieces skewered on sticks of asparagus, or pastry “spoons” filled with a seafood concoction. You eat them with two fingers, down them in a bite – and still look stylish the whole time. No flatware to balance or dispose of. What’s not to love about edible vessels?

Going further: If only one could do this with a whole dinner.