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A standout reception

Let’s face it. We’ve all been to wedding receptions that resemble the last five we attended. Make your own reception stand out.

Who hasn’t sighed at the sight of yet another bride and groomleading a Conga line? Or hoped that just this once, the Chicken Dance won’t make an appearance? As the DJs bust out the inflatable guitars and saxophones, we’re desperately planning our escape. Make your own reception stand out. Below are some hip ideas to transform your event into a Chicken Dancefree zone guests will still rave about years from now.

SNAP HAPPY The photo booth is the newest wedding trend, but how about the Photo Scavenger Hunt? Challenge your guests to take worthwhile shots on those disposable cameras, post them online after the honeymoon and let the voting for the best shots begin. Set themes: the messiest cake eater, the craziest group shot, the guest pretending to steal the gifts, the couple with the best dance moves, and so on. You’ll be laughing at these photos for years to come.

ARCADE ACTION If you loved hanging out at the arcade all afternoon as a kid, why not offer arcade classics at your wedding reception? Guests will dig the nostalgia that only chomping dots and devouring ghosts can bring. Driving games are also a blast. Take guests on the road trip of their lives with the popular ‘90s game Cruis’n USA, which includes a ride through Chicago. Check out chicagosportsgames.com for a huge selection of arcade games available to rent, including pinball machines!

TOSS THE BOU QUET TOSS Instead of tossing your bouquet to all the single ladies, skip the tradition altogether and opt for something more memorable. Pick that totally awesome song you and your girlfriends jammed out to in junior high (Was it “Hangin’ Tough” by New Kids on the Block?), then hit the dance floor with only your gal pals. Single girls won’t miss a bouquet toss. They’ll be thankful you saved them from the “tussle of shame.”

MARTINI MADNESS There’s something so “Sex and the City” about sipping cool concoctions from modish-looking glasses. Add a little swank to your cocktail hour with a martini lounge. Have a separate bar set up (either in the same room as the main bar or in a separate room altogether) just for serving different flavors of ‘wedding’ martinis. Display a chic menu that includes classics such as the “Dirty Martini,” decadent favorites such as the “Chocolate Martini,” refreshing new cocktails such as the “Pomegranate Martini,” and of course, the one and only “Cosmopolitan.” You can never go wrong with cocktails designed specifically for the ladies’ palettes!

CULTURE CLASH Imagine the fun of a mariachi band performing during your cocktail hour or Irish dancers wowing everyone after dinner. From music to dance,
guests will love the multicultural feel. Whether you pick entertainers based on your honeymoon destination, your heritage, or your interests, adding some cultural flair to your reception is the hottest new wedding trend. And what better city for celebrating diversity than Chicago?

JUM P & JIVE Ever want to learn a few new dance moves? From the foxtrot and the tango to the samba and the jive, surprise your guests with a quick dance lesson or two at your reception! Then, let the real dancing begin as couples and singles can demonstrate their new moves on the dance floor. A la “Dancing with the Stars” or “So You Think You Can Dance,” you can even have a dance-off to discover who the best dancer is!

VIDEO VI BES Instead of the standard (and predictable) photo collage of your baby photos looped on video screen, go a few steps further. Create your own film short, your own movie trailer, or even your own music video to capture the real image of your relationship! Pick a movie theme – you could try a rendition of “Mr. & Mrs. Smith”, “When Harry Met Sally”, “50 First Dates”, or one of your own favorite love stories! Incorporate your favorite songs, songs that remind you of when you first met, songs that have meaning in your relationship, and create a spoof that will give your guests a good laugh (and possibly a good cry) and show your creative  sides in a humorous but romantic way.

                    George Street Photo &Video                     

Handling day - of mishaps

How to servive wedding day snags

Purchase a notebook with a pocket folder and write everything in it so you always have allcrucial information at your fingertips. Don’t forget to put Wedding Guide in the pocket!

Let’s face it, no matter how many emails you send to your bridesmaids, no matter how many calls you make to your vendors, no matter how many wedding planners you hire to orchestrate your big day, things can still go awry at the last minute. Your ring-bearer might run screaming down the aisle. Your officiant might say the wrong names. Your band might get food poisoning the night before. There may be a wardrobe malfunction 15 minutes before the ceremony. A bar mitzvah cake might get delivered instead.

Point being, things may not go exactly according to plan, but it’s still your big day, and you can still make the most of it, even if it isn’t “perfect.” If day-of mishaps do occur, the best thing you can do is laugh about it. If you really think about it, marrying the love of your life should take precedence over eating the perfect cake. In most cases, no one will know the difference if last minute alterations
need to be made.

Our editor’s favorite book for surviving nearly any wedding catastrophe is The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook by Joshua Piven, Sarah Jordan and David Borgenicht. In it you’ll find solutions for missing rings,runaway toasts, bouquet allergies, dress mishaps, and so much more. Be prepared for non-stop laughter and an arsenal of ideas to help you get through some of the worst crises. The book is available at amazon.com and local bookstores.

As you think of all the possible things that could solve your wedding day emergencies, put them in a basket. Your personal attendant or maid of honor will need this “Bridal Crisis Kit”.

BRIDAL CRISIS KIT
1. Double sided clear fabric tape, scissors
2. Non-perishable, easy to eat protein(almonds)
3. Small water bottles with straws
3. Anti-static spray and spot remover
4. Mirror, brush, comb, hair spray, bobby-pins, safety pins, straight pins
5. Container of small hard candy for maintaining blood sugar levels
6. Clear deodorant, talcum powder, facial tissues, sanitary items
7. Extra make-up, baby wipes
8. Teeth cleaning strips, mints or breath spray
9. Pain relievers, chewable antihistimine, blister bandaids
10. Full size sewing kit with thread to match formal wear and all gowns.
11. Cell phone list of vendors & contracts for photographer, videographer, florist, caterer, limousine service, musicians, etc.
12. Lint roller for groomsmen
13. Money for last minute errands and tips
14. No sew adhesive velcro strips
15. Disposable ice packs for pulse points
16. Umbrella!

The Advantages of RentingIt’s a month before the wedding, you both live with either parents or roommates and you don’t have enough time to begin house hunting, but you still want to begin your lives in a place of your own. What can you do? Rent an apartment!

Renting can be a short or long term solution for living arrangements for newlyweds. Renting lets you choose a city or neighborhood to "try on" with the flexibility a job transfer, change of financial status or even wanting to try a new location allows an easy move from your current location without many strings attached.

Before you begin, think about some important factors such as price, size, and location. A rental close to work or public transportation is often more costly but can save a lot of time and transportation costs, especially if you both work and only have one car. Choose a neighborhood where you would consider buying a condominium, town home, or single family home and begin your search. Realtors are a great resource and there is no cost to you as a renter for their services.

The Advantages of Buying a HomeOwning a home helps build a solid financial foundation for your marriage. Your once-a-month rent payment is no longer cash flowing into someone else’s pocket. With each mortgage payment you are "buying" something tangible, building up equity. The longer you own your home, the greater your equity. Homeownership makes a difference. When you live in a neighborhood or building that is primarily owner-occupied, your neighbors, like you, are willing to invest more of their time, money and efforts to improve their property.

Consequently, the value of your property increases. A home is an investment that helps you hedge against inflation. Although not all homes appreciate at the same rate and some years are better than others, real estate has historically kept pace with and has usually appreciated faster than inflation. Interest, property taxes and certain energy efficiency improvements can be deducted from your income tax.