Decorating the Bride and Groom's Car for a Wedding

There is more thought that should go into this custom than one might think- after all, if you are one of the "wedding car artists", you are the finale to their special evening; put some thought into your craft. The time-honored tradition of garnishing the get-away car for the newly hitched couple is one that should be embraced, but some may need some ideas on what is endearing and what is distasteful.

If you are part of the wedding party, (Bridesmaid, Maid of Honor, Groomsmen, Best man) you are expected to participate in the decorating of the car the couple will be leaving the reception in. Plan ahead. The day of the wedding, you wont have much time to run around. The rehearsal dinner (usually the night before the wedding) is a great time to chat with the wedding party members to get ideas of who will bring what. Make sure to consider the couple's feelings while planning. Try to find out if anyone else in the party has talked to the couple about what they might be offended by. The couple will appreciate your consideration.

1. Begin with your intentions in mind. Consider what will get the result you're looking for- embarrassment and dirty looks, or good-hearted finger wagging and a few innocent laughs.

2. Be thoughtfulThink how much time this will take them to clean up before they can get in and drive away. As a bride, after a stressful and emotional day, there's nothing more frustrating than to having to clean your car out/off in the parking lot for an hour before you can safely leave. Have some fun by tying ribbon around the car, so they have to slightly unwrap it like a present to get in, but be considerate of their time.

Reflect on how much money it will cost to professionally replace, clean up or fix the after math. Many food items are not easy to clean up. When it comes to using creative decorating substances, it is a good suggestion to stay away from the painted parts of the car. You never know what will stain, remove paint or bleach it. If you want to post things with adhesive, you can fold clear scotch tape so the ends touch, like a sticky circle, (allowing easy removal) and stick posters or other décor on the windows only.

What offense might be taken when the couple runs blissfully to their car, friends and family in tow, and Aunt Betty and Bishop Johnson are subjected to filthy words and 50 condoms plastered onto the exterior? Consider how sensitive the couple is or even their family or guests might be. Think what you may want done to your car. If crude words and boobie drawings would offend you in front of your mom and others, don't do it!

Consider the safety of the products that you use. Lip-gloss and lipstick are very oily and leave a dangerous cloudy residue on windows unless thoroughly scrubbed with good soap. If the couple tries to squirt the window wiper fluid on it, it spreads a film, making it impossible to see. There are many materials that should not be used, this is just one of them. Also, take into consideration the weather. If you live in a hot climate and an item would easily bake itself into an un-removable accumulation within an hour or so, it's probably not a safe idea. Use common sense and be thoughtful of their visibility on the road.

TRIED BUT TIRED IDEAS

Shaving cream- Severely damages paint, stains windows and is vandalism. There is no reason to use shaving cream- whipped cream is a good alternative.

Cans/bottles tied behind the vehicle- If done properly, this is a good one, but it is considered a hazard on the road. The couple could be ticketed or damage someone else's vehicle, spending the evening exchanging insurance information when they obviously have better things to do. Think about the distance they will be traveling that evening and maybe remind them to pull over after a short distance to untie it.

Rice and popcorn- Yes, unfortunately this really happens. Be assured the last thing a bride wants is to sit in a pile of buttery, oily kernels, mashing it into the car seat and her dress. Rice will get into every crack and crevice, making it impossible to ever fully clean your car. Rice will also land in vents and never be removed. Neat freaks will freak

There are many classy ways to dress up a car for a wedding. Using car window paint found at any hardware or automotive store makes it simple to write on the windows; it is also easy to remove. Some markers, glitter and ribbon on a poster board, can make for a giant congratulations card signed by the bridal party and taped to the rear window. Some sandwich cookies like Oreos when separated, stick to the window in heart patterns or as a polka-dot look. Heart, star and other shaped cut outs from cardstock stuck on windows with tape are a good idea as well. Blow up twenty balloons and place them inside so they have to try and pop a few to get in.

One fun idea, is to get a spool of wide ribbon and start at the front of the car, securing the ribbon under the hood in the center and trace it to the mirror, making a bow or fancy knot, then follow it back to the rear of the car securing inside the trunk. Do the same on the other side of the car, making symmetrical stripes. Where the two meet at the hood and trunk, place a large bow, arrangement of flowers or balloons. This is a beautiful way to dress up the car that is easy to remove.

All in all, use your best judgment and take into consideration what you yourself would want. Have fun, and be creative!