By Courtney Fisher
Getting ready to walk down the aisle in front of your friends and family? This is probably the biggest party you’ll ever throw. Make it one to remember by including items that delight all your senses at the ceremony and reception. Memories are closely tied to smells, tastes, sounds, sights, and our sense of touch. To help ensure your most special occasion is unforgettable, design your Houston wedding for all five senses.
SOUNDS
Music is the obvious audio accompaniment for both the wedding and reception. Many couples select a special song for their first dance and often give a DJ or band a playlist. But you can go a step further to create your signature sound. Consider the sound of a water fountain, crackling fire, or subtle wind chimes. For centuries, churches have rung wedding bellsbefore or after the service to let people within earshot know something joyful is taking place. Want to go out with a bang? Instead of rice or birdseed, hand out party poppers or sparklers for your send off. Just make sure you have someone available to clean up afterward!
SIGHTS
Starting with a couple of theme colors helps set the stage and the tone of the wedding. Whether choosing your favorites, picking a seasonal palette, or going with the trendy choice of the year, colors have symbolic meaningthat sends a subconscious message.
Pro tip: Make sure the colors you choose work well with the venue, so photos will be flattering. The wedding party’s attire, flowers, table linens, and guest favors can all be color coordinated to create a unified. The right colors may trigger fond flashbacks, even if your choices fall out of fashion over time.
SMELLS
Certain flowers, like daylilies, have powerful fragrances you and your guests may associate with your big day. But keep in mind those with allergies could end up linking a sinus headache with your wedding. Consider ways you can infuse more subtle aromas into the mix. If your reception is outdoors, a barbecue or fire pit with aromatic woods will create an ambiance with the power to stir future smiles. Mow the lawnjust before the ceremony, so guests can smell the fresh cut grass. (Or have someone else do it. And make sure they leave the clippings.) After all, smell and memoryare thought to be the most closely connected to the senses. Smells that frequently make top favorites lists include:
* Fresh cut grass
* Pine trees
* Campfire
* Fresh ground coffee
* Bacon
* Fresh baked bread
* Cinnamon
TASTES
Everyone looks forward to tasting the wedding cake, but if you’re more of a brownie or doughnut person, it’s your party, and you can serve whatever you want. People will no doubt recall your wedding doughnut with a smile every time they encounter that same dessert.
Your budget will determine how elaborate your food offerings are, just make sure to include something surprising. Maybe your family has a special recipe you can share at the reception along with a toast that tells the story of its significance. With food, you can take care of taste, sight, smell, and touch, especially if finger foods are on the menu.
TOUCHES
People love to toss something at newlyweds as they make their exit, and the moment does make for fun photos! If you’re leery about using party poppers or sparklers (you don’t want people to associate burning themselves at your wedding!) consider flower petals, fall leaves or waving feathery pompons. Your venue may have rules about what’s allowed, so within limits be creative!
Have fun with this process! Your wedding marks a major milestone. It should be an event you and your guests recall warmly. They’ll smile with fond memories whenever they encounter the sights, sounds, tastes, smells, and touches at your wedding.
Courtney Fisher is a designer and wedding planner who enjoys incorporating nature into indoor and outdoor weddings. When she’s not working on a wedding, she’s writing about the latest trends in floral and dress designs.