I scream, you scream. We all scream for ice cream. This next wedding idea comes from Angel and Derek’s wedding and my own wedding.

We wanted to do something a little different and fun for the food at our wedding so we served Coldstone ice cream in waffle bowls to all our guests. It was definitely a hit at the party, three years later we still have people tell us how much they loved the ice cream. At all the places we looked at you can do it two ways: buy the pans or buckets of ice cream and have your own people serve it or you could pay a little extra and have store’s employees do it. Angel and Derek had some neighbors in the kitchen scooping it and taking it out on trays. We had the Coldstone people do it and it was so fun. They brought it in a refrigerated ice cream cart and scooped it when each guest came up. It was fantastic.

Information on Coldstone’s catering can be found here. Other fun ice cream shops that cater for weddings in the area are: Zeppe’s Italian Water Ice, Leatherby’s and Sub Zero Ice Cream.

Here are some more pics.

This next one is from my wedding so I obviously didn’t take this picture.

This next wedding idea comes from Hannah and Neal’s wedding. At their reception they had a display of wedding pictures from each of their parents and grandparents. Their picture from that morning at the temple was the crowning touch on a great display. I thought it was a sweet idea and all of the guests seemed to enjoy it. I would like to incorporate something like this in my own home sometime — I just need to track down a few more photographs.

I am starting a new feature here on the blog where I will be highlighting some of my favorite wedding ideas. I go to lots of weddings and receptions and I thought it would be fun to share some of the pictures of unique ideas that I have seen at past weddings. A lot of times these details don’t make it into my posts about that particular wedding overall. I know a lot of my brides for this coming year are just now in the beginning stages of planning their wedding so it might be helpful to some of them. Let me know what you think.

This particular idea I have seen a few times and these pictures are from Marianne and Andrew’s wedding that I helped shoot with Dustin Izatt at the Zermatt Resort. The basic idea is to have jars of different candies in your wedding colors that guests can make a bag of to take home and enjoy. These always seem to be very popular with guests. Here are a few pics of the idea in action.

Candy bars also make an excellent backdrop for ring shots. Yummy!

Check out the full article here.

Here is a quick excerpt:

“I now disagree more than ever with the digital-age adage that “now everyone is a photographer.” Tens of thousands of dollars in education, equipment and experience separate me from the pros. Professional photographers, like any other artists or business owners, need to spend money to make money. When you hire them, you’re helping them pay for their investments.”

1. Run a trial
Take time during the first meeting with your photographer and do whenever possible an engagement or bridal session. So that you all can practice working together. Treat it like a trial run, and be sure to tell your photographer what you loved and didn’t like. This will help to produce the best photos possible for your most important day.
2. Tickle it up
Pictures always look better when you are having fun! Don’t be afraid to be playful with each other -tickle, hug, kiss, talk… Do whatever you would do without a photographer holding a camera in your face. Being natural always looks better in the shots than a face-forward grin.
3. Take your time
No pictures are as important as the couple shots on your wedding day. So take your time. One hour is the absolute minimum for the couple session. And make sure this is your time alone with the photographer. It is not helpful to get your desired wonderful pictures if you have to entertain your bridesmaids or family while being photographed.
4. Spice it up
Throw out the traditions you don’t like and have a celebration that is about YOU!!!! This will ensure that not only our celebration will be unique, beautiful and individual but also your photos.
5. Enjoy every second
As many different things go into the day most weddings don’t go exactly as planned. There will always be something that is not as you imagined it. But don’t let anything get in the way of genuinely enjoying your day. Your wedding day is happening only once! So don’t freak out if the cake is vanilla instead of chocolate, or say the flower girl starts to cry instead of throwing the flowers.
6. Trash the dress
Stop worrying about your dress! They ALL are going to get dirty no matter what you do. And be assured nobody will notice if the trim has a little dirt because you waded through a little grass for a picture you will love your whole life.
7. Formals
If you have formal group pictures taken at your wedding, assign your best man and maid of honor who knows everybody to help gather guests for desired shots. This way you are sure your photographer can spend time on what he is doing best – taking great pictures.
8. Make it up
Don’t wear too much makeup or do something with your hair that is not you. Don’t let anyone tell you that you need tons of make up for photos! You should still be able to recognize yourself on your wedding pictures. On the same note, don’t go without any make up at all, even if you’re a super model. A little make up doesn’t hurt.