Adding All-American spirit to your wedding

In honor of the upcoming 4th of July weekend, here are some suggestions for ways to celebrate your wedding and honor your country at the same time:

Sparklers: Instead of bubbles or rice, have your guests light sparklers as you and your hubby leave the ceremony. Just ensure that everyone uses the utmost care so no one gets hurt!

Fireworks: Fireworks are along the same line as sparklers, but this is definitely a bigger and flashier way to make an impact on your guests. It's a great idea for an outdoor reception.

4th of July menu: Grilling out or barbecue is about as American as it gets on the 4th of July, so consider a low-key outdoor reception with burgers, barbecue, potato salad, chips, beer and lemonade. You can serve apple pie instead of cake for dessert, too.

There are a ton of ways to "American-ize" your wedding, and it's up to you how far you want to take it. But if you're planning a wedding on or near the 4th of July, adding some American touches could be a big hit with your guests.

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Future Anniversary Cards

Peter Merry, a well-known wedding and reception planner, offers up this fun idea for an activity at your reception:

"Place an anniversary card, each with a different year of marriage assigned on the envelope, along with a pen on each guest table. Include printed instructions (so the MC won't spoil the surprise by announcing it) that will ask the guests at each table to sign the card, and write a note that they would like you to read on that particular anniversary.

Once the cards are completed and sealed, they will be collected and put with the regular gift cards, so the bride and groom can discover them later. On many of their anniversaries, the bride and groom will be able to open yet another anniversary card that will bring back fond memories of their wedding day."

*Learn more about Peter Merry at petermerry.com or merryweddings.com!

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Slimming Down for your Wedding Gown

As your wedding approaches, you're probably starting to panic about how you're going to squeeze into that gorgeous wedding dress that you ordered one size too small (back when you were thinking you would lose the weight before the big day came).

Luckily, there are options that can help you lose weight for your wedding. Some require a little planning ahead, while others may work if you're trying to drop the pounds in the last couple of months.

One option that has become increasingly popular is going the surgical road. The benefits of surgery are that the results are permanent, so while it may be pricier than diet and exercise, it could end up saving you a lot of time and money in the future. (Bonus: some insurance plans may cover a portion of the procedure!) However, you will have to plan ahead to make sure you have plenty of time to recover from a surgical procedure, so don't put this off until the last minute.

Another trend for brides is body boot camp. These camps are often designed to get maximum results in around 6 weeks, so they're great for the procrastinating bride, and they are often affordable since you're paying for a short amount of time and sharing a trainer with other women. You will want to be prepared to work your butt off, and you might have to sacrifice sleeping in some mornings as well. You should also keep in mind that unless you are truly committed to maintaining a healthy lifestyle, the results may not last long beyond your wedding.

Check out the NWD website to find some great businesses that can assist you in your wedding weight-loss goals!

*Photo courtesy of Kameron Bayne Images.

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Wedding Cake Alternatives

If the traditional wedding cake isn't your style, fear not - there are plenty of fun ideas for desserts to serve your guests.

Miniature pies: Have your baker whip up different flavors of mini pies. Make sure to include an option on your RSVP card (alongside the typical "chicken or fish" checkbox) for guests to select their favorite flavors.

Cupcakes: Who doesn't love a cupcake? If you have a monogram or other design theme in your wedding, this is a great way to feature it.

Table cakes: Instead of one big wedding cake, consider having a smaller cake made for each table. Bonus: It can serve as a unique centerpiece as well!

Bite-size (mini) cakes: More and more couples are choosing this option. You can have your baker stack them artfully for a striking arrangement.

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Polaroid Guest Book

Instead of a traditional guest book at which you will rarely look back, consider using a Polaroid camera and having your guest book attendance take photos of all your guests as they enter the wedding.

Guests can write their personal well wishes to you along the bottom of their photo, or glue their photo to a page and write notes along the page. Later, you can look back at all who were present. An added bonus: 30 years from now, you can laugh at everyone else's dated fashion sense, not just your own!

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