The Zen/Asian Themed Wedding

The word "zen" suggests a calm and natural scene. Think of a babbling brook flowing over polished stones and of green plants and fine white sand. If that is the feeling you want to share with your wedding guests, you may consider a zen/Asian theme for your nuptials and reception.

The bride may want to wear a more traditional but simple white wedding gown or go all out with a kimono or Asian dress in red (considered the color of good luck in the Asian culture), deep orange or another bright or metallic color. Her maids may also wish to dress in Asian-style garb.

Simple arrangements of exotic flowers such as orchids, lotus or hibiscus will suit this theme. Bamboo stalks bring a structural element to the Asian flower arrangement. Potted hibiscus plants are readily available during the summer months and can double as gifts to send home with your dining room host and hostess, guest book attendant, or bridal party members after the reception.

For your reception, you may place a meditation garden on each table. A meditation or zen garden consists of a low flat container, sand, rocks and a small rake. Mediation or zen gardens are available at www.officeplayground.com priced from $7 to $30.

Centerpieces featuring water will also complement a zen theme. Place battery operated tabletop fountains on each table. You will find these fountains on-line or at discount stores such as ShopKo or Target in the $20 range.

Another idea for water-themed centerpieces is to purchase glass vases into which you place river rocks, water and beta or koi fish. Beta fish cost around $5 each. Large cylinder shaped vases are available from Wal-Mart for $4. Place a battery operated immersible tealight in the water to spotlight your living centerpiece.

A simple vase and orchid could also serve as a centerpiece for the zen themed wedding reception.

Oriental Trading (www.orientaltrading.com) sells stretchy bracelets of wooden beads with Chinese symbols which could serve as napkins rings. The bracelets sell for about $.40 each.

Rather than using the traditional place cards, the bride may want to use black river rocks. She may write a wedding guest's name on each rock or, if there is not a specific seating arrangement for the reception, she may draw a Chinese symbol, a heart shape or words such as "love", "peace", "bliss", etc., on the rocks. A Sharpie permanent marker in metallic gold or silver works very well for this purpose. The rocks can also serve as favors for the guests. Black river rocks are available at Hobby Lobby and dollar stores.

Other zen-appropriate favors include mini take-out boxes filled with fortune cookies, cake or Hershey's kisses, chopsticks or woven or painted fans A source for takeout boxes is www.magicwandweddings.com/ clearchinese.html. Several different types of fans are available at www.orientaltrading.com. Chopsticks are also available through Oriental Trading's catalog or on-line.

Origami cranes, handmade by the bride and groom, would make unique favors. Another option is to supply each guest (or perhaps just the children) with paper and photocopied instructions on how to make their own crane.

To help your guests find their appointed tables, you may want to name the tables using "zen" words such as "joy", "love", "happiness", "contentment", "serenity", "passion", "peace", etc.

Chinese paper lanterns, paper parasols and shoji screens will bring an Asian feel to your reception venue. Place an uplight or lamp sans shade behind each screen to make them glow. Use a colored light bulb to complement your color scheme. Shoji screens are available at Hobby Lobby stores. They make striking backdrops for your reception photos.

A bride has so many hopes for her big day, and one is to make the day memorable. If you want to treat your guests to an elegant and unique wedding and reception they won't soon forget, consider the zen or Asian theme.