While many couples still thrill to the idea of a traditional white wedding in a country church with all the trappings, more and more people are seeking out something more exotic. There are many reasons for this, for those with no religious beliefs, the idea of a church ceremony can seem hypocritical, for many others, it is simply a desire to stamp the most important day of their lives with their own unique style.
Helpfully for those seeking something along these lines there are many companies out there only to happy to make their fantasies come true. They’ll take care of all the arrangements and annoying details, from table centre design, venue draping, themed props, lighting and everything else. Essentially you get the wedding you want with none of the hassle, if you can afford it that is. Many can and the result is a bewildering number of possible themed ceremonies to choose from. These include, ‘Winter Wonderland’ with twinkling fairy lights, white blooms tied with silver ribbon and a velvet-cloaked bride, ‘Arabian Nights’ themed weddings, with belly dancers, jewelled coloured fabrics draped across the walls and ceilings and platters of Middle Eastern Food, to the frankly ridiculous ‘Las Vegas’ style wedding, including, a mobile casino, elaborate cocktails, glitzy contemporary designer jewellery, flashy lighting and of course an Elvis impersonator singing ‘Viva Las Vegas’.
Possibly the most popular theme though, is the ‘Medieval’ wedding. It is, believe it or not, possible to get not only medieval costumes, including of course the wedding dress, but also medieval banquets, medieval fighting knights, medieval falconry and archery displays and medieval hand fasting ceremonies, what ever they are.
When it comes to your wedding it would seem that you are only limited by your budget and imagination. It’s noticeable that many weddings are clearly inspired by the most famous film weddings, weather it be the snow wedding from ‘Nanny Mcphee’, or the 1940’s wedding that opens the ‘Godfather’. I’m sure that someone, somewhere, has thrown a ‘Lord of the Rings’ themed wedding, complete with children dressed as Hobbits, wizards, dragons, and black riders, with the blushing bride gowned as an elven queen in flowing silk. It has to have happened, surely and if it hasn’t then it should. The irony of all this is that the old fashioned white wedding, while still very much with us, is no longer a religious festival, but instead just another theme.
For those of you planning your own wedding and blanching at the cost of all this, there is some good news. According to a recent report from Consumer 20 – The Informed Shopper, jewellers are determined not to pass on the increase in the cost of precious metals such as silver to their customers, which means that while the rest of the celebrations will cost an arm and a leg, you should still be able to afford the rings.