Share Your Wedding Memories with This Party Idea

If you're anything like me, you love weddings! I love everything about them. The romance, the sentimentality, the gathering of family and friends. There is something else I love about weddings. I absolutely love to see the choices that people make in turning this special event into a uniquely personalized experience. What sort of dress will the bride choose? What will the flowers look like? How will the cake be decorated? What kind of music will be played at the reception? I could go on and on. All of this curiousity led me to a great party idea…

My mom, grandmother, great-aunt and I get together regularly for lunch. We always have a great time talking and sharing memories. Since I hadn't attended any of their weddings (obviously, since I wasn't even born yet!), I thought it would be fun to have a special luncheon where the theme would be Wedding Memories.

If you love attending weddings, then you can have your own Wedding Memories Luncheon. All you need is a group of friends or family members. Below you'll find my tips for having this wonderful type of gathering.

Invitations: Create a beautiful invitation for your luncheon. Use wording reminiscient of a wedding invitation - "The honor of your presence is requested at a Wedding Memories Luncheon…" Include the location, date, time, and RSVP information if appropriate. Also, include what you'd like your guests to bring to your luncheon. (Suggestions will be given below.) Print your invitations on special paper or format your email message with a special background or graphics or font.

Special Attire: Request that your guests wear something white. You could even ask them to wear something white along with something in the color of their bridesmaids' gowns. If you really want to "go all out," ask your guests to wear their wedding gowns! This would never work for me. My gown has been securely preserved and packed away. Lucky for me, since I know I wouldn't be able to fit into it anymore!

What Your Guests Can Bring: Since your theme is sharing memories, ask your guests to bring their wedding photos, albums, and videos. You could even suggest that they bring special mementos from the day, such as one of their favors, the ring bearer's pillow, their veil, or a piece of jewelry they wore that day. Another nostalgic touch would be to bring wedding pictures of ancestors. Comparing how styles and traditions have changed (and stayed the same) throughout the ages should be so intriguing!

What to Serve: Make your menu special. Serve something that you enjoy making or that seems perfect for a ladies' luncheon, like tea sandwiches. Another option for the very ambitious hostess would be to make the meal that was served at her wedding. (I'm not that ambitious, nor am I that talented in the kitchen.) Serve a delicious punch or cocktail to your guests. Don't forget dessert. Have a wedding-inspired layer cake or, better yet, cupcakes decorated to look like miniature wedding cakes. Then, each guest will get to "cut the cake."

Setting a Special Place: Set your table in a very elegant manner. Use lots of white linens, votive candles, crystal, and sparkling silver. Include a bouquet filled with white flowers in the center of the table. Or, opt to set small individual vases at each place-setting. You could even include a small nosegay of flowers on each napkin or plate. Either would make a lovely favor for your guests.

Time for Sharing: Allow enough time for all of your guests to share their mementos. It would probably be best to keep this gathering small. That way you can share stories and ask questions.

I hope you'll try this unique theme with your friends and family. Add your own special touches to make it a magical experience. It will surely be a memorable and enjoyable gathering for all of your guests.