11 Commandments for A Memorable Wedding

Be Creative. Don't think you are? Think again!

1.   Let's face it, if you've sustained a healthy relationship with each other, you've already figured out a number of creative solutions to problems. Be still and think about it. The ideas will flow. Talk to other recently married couples. If all else fails, get a group of friends together and brainstorm!

How about unique transportation to bring the wedding party and guests to your wedding venue. Here the groom and groomsmen arrive in style to a wedding at Cory's Country Inn's Secret Garden and Lawn Pavilion in Chico, CA

2. Incorporate your joint interests into your ceremony. Outdoor enthusiasts? Include a reading that speaks of nature. Share a passion for dancing? Tango up the aisle after you're "hitched".Add in an ethnic tradition!

3. Include your children. If this is not your first time down the aisle and you have kids who are old enough to participate, then by all means, make them part of the ceremony.

4. Choose an alternative location. Church weddings are not for everyone. Consider locations such as parks, museums, bed and breakfasts, even a private home. If size is a problem, keep you ceremony guest list small and invite the rest to a party later.

Gale Vineyards in Durham, CA is one of our favorite sites. Magnificent shaded areas, adjoining their vineyards and winery.

5. Feeling really brave? Throw a surprise wedding! Invite guests to a luncheon or dinner; promise them a surprise. When everyone arrives, announce that they've been gathered to witness your wedding vows! (Make sure you arrange for the officiant to be on the scene.) While this is very unorthodox, it's a whole lot of fun and  takes the pre-wedding pressure off. In Northern California, you can do this with ease by turning to Simply Little Weddings --- our sister company. Give the SLW concierge your date, get a marriage license and SLW does the rest.

6. Consider a winter wedding--even outdoors. You can keep it brief, and winter can be such a beautiful time of the year. (This may not work if you have older guests.)

7. Pick a theme for your wedding. Go beyond simply choosing coordinated colors for your bridal party. Whether you love country western, have an affinity for butterflies or the work of William Shakespeare, revolve your ceremony around a single theme and people will talk about it for years.

Tracy Lynn Photography captures the fun --- and the surprise --- of well worn boots of the bride and her attendants. Fun!

8. Plan your ceremony around an untraditional holiday. Sure, Christmas weddings are beautiful, but how about a Halloween event where all the guests arrive in costume? St. Paddy's Day, complete with pale green dresses and shamrocks at every table. Groundhog Day? Well, we haven't seen that one yet, but if you do wed on this day, please share your creative ideas with us. We'll pass them on!

9. Use your ceremony to honor special people in your life. Have your maid of honor do a reading; hand roses to your mom and new mother-in-law as you walk down the aisle; ask Uncle Fred to offer your final blessing; include a prayer of thanks to your parents.

10. Do not expect a "perfect" ceremony. Children may cry; your bridesmaid's hair may be dyed blue; your grandmother may flub the reading. That's okay. Don't aim for perfection--aim for memorable.

11. You are allowed to have fun. Do not ... I repeat DO NOT ... let anyone convince you that a stodgy, stuffy, stale wedding ceremony is for you. This is a once-in-a-lifetime day, so don't be afraid to bend the rules. Do what you like and have a blast!

Mim's Bakery of Chico,CA created a very personal design for a wedding. Image captured by Chameleon Photographix of Redding and Chico, CA

Guest Blog courtesy of Maureen Thomson (no relation) of Rocky Mountain Wedding Officiants.

Carol Thomson, The Wedding Lady, is a 5th generation North Californian. I share my passion for life in the northstate with engaged couples planning a home-grown wedding with style. Contact me at info@weddingsnorthvalley.com. You can read more of my tips and trends at Wedding Wishes; read my blog and view the great videos. Meet me Sunday, August 15, 2010 at Chico Bridal Showcase.

Get Back to the Country! Your North Valley Wedding at a Farm, Ranch or Vineyard

There's something wonderfully charming about a wedding in the country --- whether you choose from our recommended farms, ranches and vineyards. Make your wedding timeless and graceful by coordinating relaxed details. Here are some ideas to get you started.

Attire: Wear clothes that you are comfortable in, including sundresses, khakis, or even jeans. Eyelet lace is a nice touch. Men can wear casual shirts and ties and forgo the jackets. This couple use the natural setting at Lazy K Ranch to share a quiet moment



Setting: Use picnic tables with red and white checked tablecloths. Decorate with borrowed quilts, lanterns, and candles. Although the elements are casual, unify your color palate for a clean, modern look. For example, use large groupings of daisies with yellow centers, yellow gingham tablecloths, and yellow and white striped bridesmaid dresses. Or, use a traditional red and white tablecloth with red dahlias and Gerber daisies, red ties on the groomsmen and red sundresses for the bridesmaids. Here's a fall reception at Cory's Country Inn in Chico.



Flowers: Yellow sunflowers or daisies in big pitchers, smaller groupings of brightly colored dahlias. Our recommended venue sites have beautiful flowers, shrubs and foliage during every season.



Invitations: Why not embroider your invitation as a country sampler, then take it to a print shop where they can photograph it and reproduce it on a card? If you know a skilled graphic designer, they may also be able to recreate the stitched sampler look.



Music: Hire a square dance, contra or bluegrass band, who will have your guests dancing all night long.



Favors: Make homemade cookies and package them in pretty paper. If you're not the baking type, purchase them at a great bakery (see our cakes & desserts professionals). You could also package beautiful small bunches of fresh local produce ---such as a pint of strawberries, beautiful tomatoes on the vine, or a bunch of grapes.Northern California offers abundant fresh produce available at year-round farmer's markets and roadside fruit stands. This collection of seasonal vegetables creates colorful fall decorations at Cory's Country Inn.



Special Touches: Since you're likely to be outdoors with the heat and mosquitoes, make fans for your guests with the order of service, or the members of the wedding party printed on one side, and a pretty country print on the other. Even the ranch owners celebrate at Lazy K Ranch!