I’ve already shared a number of untraditional guest book ideas with you. But why not try something completely different? Get your guests more involved than a signature in a book to share in your big day. Have your guests write marriage fortunes for the happy couple – you’ll have better luck getting good fortunes than from a standard cookie.

love notes in a bottle

Or have your guests write messages, roll them up, and seal them in a bottle. Open your message in a bottle guest book on your one year anniversary.  Or use it as decor in your home!

design mad lib cards to match your wedding stationary

For a really fun activity, create a wedding Mad Libs for your guests to fill out! Write a paragraph and leave blanks for details such as name, how long they’ve known the couple, a word to describe the couple style and other customizable details. The cards would look great on your reception tables and are a unique memory from your wedding day.

Wedding flowers can easily eat up a large part of your budget. But modern brides are working on smaller budgets and flowers are an easy element to cut back on. One way to save big on wedding day flowers is to go fake. There are a number of paper or silk flower options that will look gorgeous at your wedding and will last long past your big day. But if you’d like to stick to the tradition of using real, seasonal flowers at your wedding there are other ways you can cut back.

this color combination is gorgeous

Focus the majority of your flower budget on the bridal party bouquets. They are a centerpiece of your ceremony and wedding photos so they are worth the extra splurge. Cut back on your reception table flowers. There are so many options for taking some of the budget off your arrangements without taking away any of the focus. Use non-traditional elements in your bouquets. Rather than all lilies or roses, incorporate some unique flowers from the shop. And don’t worry about every bouquet matching; allow each table to have its own look. If you’d like to stick with traditional wedding flowers put add a modern twist by using interesting vases or just placing a small cluster of flowers in a few spots, which will be much less expensive than one large centerpiece.

got bright and bold or subtle and traditional with small bouquets

Wedding photos are absolutely essential, but they can be kind of tricky to plan. In theory, you and your husband-to-be are not supposed to see each other before the ceremony on your big day. If you stick with that plan then when do you take wedding photos? After the reception seems too late, plus you and your wedding party will likely be slightly drunk and sweaty and who wants that moment captured. That leaves between the ceremony and the reception – but what do you do with all your guests?

the knot.com has some great suggestions to get started

A cocktail hour hosted in your reception location is the perfect solution. Since you won’t be there to entertain your guests personally, setting up an event that encourages mingling amongst your guests will keep them busy (and happy). Just be sure to plan this in an adjoining venue or room to your reception – you don’t want your guests to be drinking then driving.

of course martha has great cocktail suggestions

And what is more appropriate at a wedding cocktail hour than signature drinks? Have a taste test of these suggested signature drink recipes and choose your favorite. Or meet with the venue bar tender and create your own recipe from scratch based on a few of your favorite ingredients. And don’t forget – your signature cocktail will need an equally customized name even if you choose a premade recipe. Examples include David & Marytini or Smith on the Rocks. Or just stick with the romantic names like Sealed with a Kiss or Blushing Bride.

For wedding receptions, couples usually buy or rent matching glassware. While that looks great in pictures, how are guests supposed to know which glass is theirs? Wedding guests rarely stay seated at their reception tables, making it easy to mix up glasses while greeting friends or abandoning your glass to hit the dance floor. I am the largest offender - I can never remember where I leave my glass, even in my own apartment. Here are a few adorable ideas I found for solving that problem that also add great details to your wedding reception décor.

do-it-yourself chalkboard wine glasses

I love adding a chalkboard element to weddings so I was instantly drawn to these stem less wine glasses. If you pick up a pint of chalkboard paint at Michael’s Crafts or Wal-Mart and a few dozen wine glasses this becomes a very simple, inexpensive do-it-yourself project. Just be sure to put pieces of chalk on reception tables or at the bar. Keep a few dozen to recycle at your next dinner party too!

mason jars are another inexpensive reception glass option

I’m also a huge fan of mason jars. Like chalkboards, they add an element of rustic simplicity to your big fancy day that helps create a great balance in your décor. If you choose to use mason jars as glasses, tie tags around the lid or make nametag straws. These will add a splash of color to your reception tables and can easily be removed so you can reuse these jars for storage later.

Or you could just trust your guests to keep track of their drinks like the responsible people they are. In that case, I just get a new cup every time I misplace mine – so make sure to order extras!