Image via CNBC.

Wedding dress retail giant David’s Bridal filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Monday, but with promises to perform business as usual. Brides, however, can breathe a sigh of relief: the bankruptcy filing will not affect any orders and bridal appointments will not be rescheduled, according to the company.

David’s Bridal, the largest wedding retailer in the country, currently owes creditors between $500 million and $1 billion, according to CNN. The bankruptcy doesn’t come at a huge surprise as the company has been on the verge of this Chapter 11 filing since at least October, when they missed a key debt payment. David’s Bridal reached an agreement with their lenders to reduce their debt by $400 million as part of their bankruptcy terms. This will ensure that they can keep their 300+ retail locations as well as their online store open.

Flashbacks to Alfred Angelo Closings

This bankruptcy filing may have certainly given brides some haunting flashbacks of last year’s Alfred Angelo sudden closing, which left brides in the lurch without their dresses. Many brides were never able to track down their dresses at the stores and thousands lost the deposits that they had put down on their gowns. A year later, there have been $20 million dollars in claims against the now-defunct bridal retailer. Ironically, in response to this sudden shut down, David’s Bridal gave Alfred Angelo brides 40 percent off their gowns.

Changing Wedding Trends

Experts cite a combination of changing wedding trends as well as a high level of debt in their 2012 acquisition by private equity firm Clayton, Dubilier & Rice.

Because the wedding industry has in general become more casual, the market has become infiltrated with more low-key bridal wear from H&M and Anthropologie, which gives brides more choices than they’ve ever had before. Online retailers have also become a go-to for modern brides, causing them to skip over the once dominant chain. In addition, people are generally getting married less frequently than ever before. The number of new marriages per 1,000 Americans was 6.9 in 2016, which is down from 8.2 in 2000, according to the U.S. government.

“For more than 60 years, David’s has delivered beautiful, high-quality dresses and accessories for our customers’ most special occasions, and the actions we are taking will enable us to build on that tradition,” David’s Bridal CEO Scott Key said in a press statement. “Our team is laser-focused on providing brides and their families with the five-star service and experience they deserve and have come to expect from us.”

As of right now, everything is expected to be business as usual for David’s Bridal. But if there’s anything we’ve learned from the Alfred Angelo incident, it’s this: if you have ordered a dress with David’s Bridal, make sure you know exactly where it is at all times. Track the shipping with the store and don’t be afraid to ask how long it will take for the alterations to be completed. The last thing any bride needs is a missing dress before her big day!

With the average cost of the American wedding hiking up to an extreme amount of $20,000, it’s no wonder that couples are getting creative in order to keep costs down while still celebrating their nuptials. Enter the micro wedding—the latest in a string of quirky wedding trends—which is defined as a wedding that has anywhere between five and 50 guests. Like the name implies, it’s a wedding—but in miniature form—which means fewer guests and, most importantly, less money.

Other than fewer guests, what does it really mean to throw a micro wedding? How is it any different than a traditional ceremony and reception? And what are the biggest benefits of throwing a much smaller wedding? Let’s go over all the basics of a micro wedding—and why it might be the wedding solution you were looking for.

A Micro Wedding Is Not an Elopement

First things first: a micro wedding is not an elopement, which typically involves heading to the courthouse or jet-setting away to the nearest all-inclusive resort to tie the knot privately. An elopement will usually only have one or two witnesses at most and will not have all the bells and whistles of a traditional wedding ceremony and reception such as bridesmaids, a dinner, or a wedding shower.

A Micro Wedding Can Save You a Lot of Money

Obviously, fewer guests means less money you have to spend on the overall budget. The fewer people you invite, the less food, alcohol, invitations, wedding favors, linens, flowers, and wedding cake you will need to pay for. This is one of the biggest advantages to planning a micro wedding: you literally get to have your cake and eat it too. Many couples who choose to go the micro wedding route are eager to put their savings accounts to better use for things like buying a home, going on a vacation, or starting a family right away.

You Can Also Stretch Your Budget Further

On the flip side, a micro wedding is also a way for couples to get the wedding of their dreams—without having to pay an absolute fortune. With fewer guests, you can afford to splurge on that ’90s cover band you love so much or be able to spring for the plated three-course dinner. Whatever kind of wedding fantasies you may have can become more of a real possibility when you have fewer guests on your list.

A Micro Wedding Is Perfect for Those Who Can’t Do Large Crowds

If you and your partner are more introverted and are completely freaked out by the idea of getting married in front of 100+ people, a micro wedding can feel a little more intimate and less intimidating. A big bonus to a small wedding crowd is that you won’t feel like you have to break up your guest interactions into 30-second conversations. You can actually spend time with all of your loved ones and not have to feel rushed when you are catching up and socializing at the reception.

You Open Yourself Up to More Venue Possibilities

Have you always dreamed of getting married in your grandmother’s beautiful Victorian-era home? Do you always eye that gorgeous little gazebo in the park as a location for your dream wedding? Having a smaller wedding not only means that you can be more flexible in how you spend your wedding budget, but it also means that you can be more creative with where you get married. Because you’re not having to accommodate 100+ people (and find chairs, parking, and space for them to eat), you can get married in nontraditional wedding spaces like your backyard, a rustic barn, your favorite restaurant, or a small room at a beautiful local library.

You Can Skip Over all the Traditional Wedding Stuff You Don’t Like

While this is also true of a bigger ceremony, a smaller wedding means that there aren’t as many expectations to stick to the script. This means you don’t have to do any readings, have any special music, or do the bouquet toss if you don’t want to. You can just keep all the fun stuff, whether that’s the champagne toast or the cake cutting.

The Hard Part of a Micro Wedding? Narrowing Down Your Guest List

The appeal of a micro wedding is that there are fewer guests to pay for, but the downside to this of course is that you actually have to pare down your guest list. This can be especially difficult if both of you come from large families with dozens of cousins or have a big community of friends.

If you’re having a hard time narrowing things down, here are a few things to ask yourself as you make your guest list:

• Does the person you are inviting know the two of you as a couple?
• Have you spoken to this person in the last year?
• Can you imagine the ceremony or reception without them?

Your beauty team is there to make sure there’s no frizz in your updo and that your waterproof mascara will hold up during your vows (because there will be tears), but there are still a few things you’ll want to think about beauty-wise so that you feel like the best version of yourself on your wedding day. Should you choose to go all out for your wedding day look, we’ve created this easy-to-follow beauty timeline so that you can keep track of when to make all your appointments—because we know you’ve already got enough planning on your plate.

Six Months Before the Wedding

The first order of business is to schedule a visit to the dermatologist. If you’re having any skin concerns or are in need of any topical treatments, you’ll want to get this done good and early just in case your skin has any reactions to medication.

Six months before the wedding is also a good time to meet with potential hair stylists and/or makeup artists so you can book them as soon as possible. If you’re going the DIY makeup route, you’ll want to take a makeup lesson from a local professional and research/try as many products as you can so you can get a sense of what you like and what looks best.

Five Months Before

This is the time you’ll need to make some crucial hair decisions. If your hair is short, are you going to grow it out? If you’ve experimented with dyeing your hair, are you going to try to go back to your natural color? To help you figure all this out and more, it’s a good idea to schedule a consultation with your regular stylist and work together on making a wedding plan for dyeing, growing out, or cutting your hair.

Five months before the wedding is also a crucial time to get your skin prepped for the big day through a regular skincare routine. If you’ve been slacking on your skincare routine, now is the time to ramp it up by regular exfoliating, using a gentle cleanser, and moisturizing. Also, don’t forget to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water!

Four Months Before

We’re getting closer to your wedding date, and now is the time to put more of the focus on your face—and specifically on your brows. To get your brows in good shape, schedule a brow-grooming appointment so that a professional can help guide your misshaped brows into beautiful arches that frame your face.

Born with patchy brows or over-plucked for years? You might want to think about microblading (a semi-permanent tattooing technique that gives you the appearance of more brow hairs) so that you can get that full brow you’ve always dreamed of.

Three Months Before

You’re three months out from your wedding day, which means that plans are really starting to take shape, you’re wrapping things up—oh, and you’re super stressed out. Calm things down a bit by scheduling a facial that’s specialized for your specific skin type and/or booking a massage.

Three months before your wedding is also a good time for your hair and makeup trial run, so take full advantage of your gorgeous face by having an impromptu date night with your future spouse. Before the day of your hair trial, get a light trim and touch up your roots so that you can see your wedding day look exactly as it’s going to be.

Two Months Before

Not only do you want to look great on your wedding day, but you also want to smell fantastic. Two months before your wedding is the perfect time to pick your wedding day perfume so that it can always remind you of your special day that was filled with so much love.

Two months before your wedding is also prime time to try out a spray tan technician if you want a bronzed glow on your wedding day. Definitely don’t wait until the last minute to do this—the last thing you want on your wedding is orange skin.

One Month Before

Ready or not, the wedding will be here in a blink of an eye! One month before your wedding, decide on a lip color and keep an extra tube with you so you can touch up throughout your wedding night. It’s also a good idea to schedule a brow appointment to tame any strays and get your arch in good shape.

Two Weeks Before

It’s getting to be crunch time. The final details are being wrapped up and things are starting to feel real. In between all of your running around town doing wedding errands, you should schedule your final cut and color or at least just get a trim. Don’t do anything drastic—no matter how stressed you are. Now is not the time for last-minute hair changes.

If you’ve been slurping down iced coffees like it’s your job, you might also want to whiten your teeth with some white strips. You’re going to be smiling a lot, after all!

One Week Before

To prevent any puffiness on your big day, now is the time to cut down on your alcohol consumption (yes, even if your future mother-in-law is being difficult). You’ll also want to pack a beauty kit for the wedding day, which should include everything from hair spray to Q-tips.

Three Days Before

The last thing you want to do on your wedding day is shave your legs, so three days before is a good time to schedule a waxing appointment for your legs, arms, and bikini area, if you so wish.

Two Days Before

If you’ve decided to get a spray tan, now is the time to do it. Now is not the time to be shy—so don’t be afraid to get in there in your birthday suit because the last thing you want are bra strap lines.

You’ll also want those tootsies and fingernails to look polished, so book a manicure and pedicure two days prior to the wedding.

One Day Before

Wash your hair and style in the morning so that your hair isn’t completely fresh on your wedding day (slightly dirty hair always holds style better). If you have the time before your rehearsal dinner, schedule a massage so that you’re nice and relaxed before you see friends and family.

Day of the Wedding

It’s finally your wedding day! Take a minute to soak it all in before you get started on your beauty regimen.

Wash your face, exfoliate, and moisturize as you normally would because your makeup artist will want to start with a completely clean face.

Three hours before your wedding starts, get your hair done. Two hours before the wedding, put on your makeup. One hour before, attach your headpiece, if you’re wearing one. Now, pop a breath mint, take a shot, and walk down that aisle!

Weddings are full of decisions: the venue, the officiant, the food—and whether you’ll allow Post Malone songs to be played during the reception. But one of the most personal decisions during wedding planning is whether or not you’ll change your last name after the ceremony. While this is certainly a decision most brides need to make when they’re about to get married, it can sometimes be more complicated for same-sex couples who are tying the knot.

The landmark decision in Obergefell v. Hodges in 2015 allows same-sex couples in the United States the right to marry in the way that heterosexual couples have always had, which includes the right to change their last names. In “Equally Wed: The Ultimate Guide to Planning Your LGBTQ+ Wedding” by Kirsten Palladino, she writes, “If you, your partner, or both of you are changing your name, you don’t need to go through the hoops that your predecessors did just a few years ago: petitioning the court for permission to take your spouse’s last name, running an advertisement in the newspaper about your plans to change your name, and sometimes paying thousands in lawyer’s fees.”

Although it’s less common for married same-sex couples to change their last name, there are many reasons why you might want to consider it. Sharing a last name can be convenient when you’re traveling together abroad, make it easier for you to visit your spouse should they get sick and be in the hospital, and ease the ability to make healthcare decisions on behalf of your spouse.

The right to change your last name is legal and available, should you choose to do so, but it is certainly not a requirement. Because most wedding traditions are based on heterosexual norms and traditions (like changing the bride’s surname to match the groom’s), LGBTQ+ couples are coming up with creative approaches to fit what’s best for them.

If you’re thinking about changing your last name, here are a few options that are common for same-sex couples.

Choosing an Entirely New Last Name

You’re starting a new family unit, so why not take on an entirely new last name? Whether this is a combination of your current last names, an old family name, or maybe just a name you’ve long admired, this approach to changing your last name might be the easiest way to go about it (once, of course, the two of you can settle on a name). This might be a good option for couples who place heavy importance on their children having the same last name as both of their parents—or those who want to signify a new family to those outside the marriage.

Hyphenating a Current Last Name with the New One

A good compromise to changing last names is to become a hyphenated family. Although both of you will have to go through the legal name changing process, you’ll still have a piece of your last name. This is a popular choice for couples who want their children to share both of their last names. The only snags you can run into with a hyphenated last name are deciding on what to do if your partner already has a hyphenated name from their parents and choosing which last name is going to come first.

Choosing to take a Spouse’s Name

Choosing one spouse’s name over the other’s is also a choice that’s on the table for same-sex couples. There are many reasons why one partner would want to take another partner’s last name, such as shortening their name, getting away from a family name that has caused them pain, disassociating themselves from an unsupportive family or simply wanting to choose one partner’s name as a symbol of commitment. Should you choose to take on your spouse’s last name, you also have the option of moving your current last name to become your middle name. This is a symbolic way to keep a piece of your old last name while still celebrating the new.

Remember, You Don’t Have to Change Your Last Name at All

Just because it’s a tradition for couples to change their last name after the wedding doesn’t mean that you have to follow suit. Your name is your identity and getting married to another person doesn’t have to change that.

Many people who have an established writing, legal, or creative career don’t want to change their last name if they’ve built up a clientele or have name recognition. In many cases, changing a last name means more than just changing it on your social security card: it can also mean contacting clients to inform them of the change, updating your website and email address, and showing new employers or clients past work with a note that you’ve since gotten married. Even if you plan on having children, it’s not necessary for you to share a last name. You can choose for your children to have hyphenated last names or even choose for one child to have one parent’s last name and a second to have the other parent’s last name.

Whatever you choose, the choice is personal and doesn’t need to be explained to family or friends who may be inquiring. No matter what name choice you go with, the commitment to each other that you make is the most important thing to share.

One of the most romantic nights of the year is unquestionably New Year’s Eve. Think about it: you get all dressed up with your closest pals, go to a nice dinner or head to a party and, of course, you drink champagne and steal a smooch at midnight. There aren’t many nights better suited for a wedding than New Year’s—and a New Year’s Eve wedding celebration can be one for the books. If you’re considering a New Year’s Eve wedding, or if you’ve already set the date for one, here’s how to plan it without a hitch.

Inform Your Guests Extra Early

It’s always best when you can spread the word about your wedding date early, but when you’re planning for a holiday wedding—the absolute sooner the better. As soon as you book the venue and sign a contract, you should think about sending save the dates or putting up a wedding website right then and there before your friends and relatives start making holiday plans or booking vacations.

Make it Glamorous

The whole point on getting married on a night like New Year’s Eve is to take advantage of the glitz and glamour of the celebration. Lean into that with all of your decorations, bridesmaids dresses, and even the dress code for the guests. You want to make your guests feel as though they are attending the party of the season, so really make sure you give them everything you’ve got. Incorporate shimmery golds, metallic silvers and sparkly hues everywhere you turn in the ceremony and reception space to give the night a more elevated and romantic look than your average New Year’s Eve party.

Ask Your Vendors if There Will Be an Upcharge

Wedding vendors like bakers, DJs, or caterers can generally expect that they are going to be busy most weekends for events, but they may not have planned on being available during the holidays. Although technically New Year’s Eve isn’t a national holiday, many people take the opportunity to visit friends, attend parties, or even extend their Christmas celebrations with family. Because of this, booking a vendor for a New Year’s Eve wedding may be difficult, or potentially even more expensive.

As you’re looking into which vendors you’ll be booking for your wedding ceremony and reception, you’ll definitely want to ask if there will be an upcharge for their services on a holiday and what that fee is. The last thing you want is a surprise on the contract or on the bill at the very end of the night.

Hold a Fireworks Display

A fireworks display is always appropriate for a New Year’s celebration—but it can put your New Year’s Eve wedding ceremony over the top. To plan a fireworks display for your wedding, first check to see if your city is putting on its own show and whether or not it will be visible from your venue. Have your DJ or band make an announcement about the fireworks and then have all your guests head outdoors to enjoy the show—with coats on and patio heaters, preferably.

If your ceremony space is a bit tucked away, inquire with your venue about hosting your own professional-level fireworks show. They may ask that you seek out your own permits and may require you to have the show a certain distance from the venue, but nothing could be more magical or memorable for your guests than your own private fireworks show.

…Or Hoist up a Lantern

New Year’s Eve celebrations are more than just about leaving the last year behind—they’re also about making wishes and promises for the year to come. This is especially important if you’re a new husband or wife and you have an extra special reason to be excited about the upcoming year.

A beautiful way to celebrate your new marriage and the new year in general is to light paper lanterns and release them into the sky during the reception. Have your guests make wishes for the both of you as well as their own families during this elegant display of lanterns against a winter-y black sky. A wishing lantern release will make for beautiful pictures and will be a memorable experience for all your guests.

Have a Final Countdown

Having a New Year’s Eve wedding means that you have to incorporate a countdown of some kind during your ceremony or reception. Whether you wait to have your ceremony until 11:45—ensuring a first kiss around midnight—or you have your DJ stop the music a few minutes before 12, a proper countdown will only add to the festivities and fun of the night.

To make your countdown truly special, provide your guests with party hats, confetti, noise makers, and champagne to toast the new year, as well as your new marriage.

When you think about winter, you generally associate it with cold, darkness and maybe even solitude (especially during those coldest months of hibernation). However, a winter wedding should be anything but cold, dark, and lonely. It should be lively, with maybe just a hint of magic. The best way to bring in a little bit of life to a winter wedding, even when it’s dreadfully cold outside, is to add in plenty of lighting. Here are seven stylish lighting options for your winter wedding.

Candles. Everywhere.

This goes for all seasons, but a winter wedding is simply incomplete without candles everywhere. Whether you put them in jars, candleabras, in wreaths, on top of the reception tables or have your attendants walk down the aisle with a lit candle, you simply can’t go wrong with adding in more candles for your lighting options. Unsure of how to specifically use your candles? Here are a few ideas you might want to save.

Hanging Votive Candles

If you’re using an arch or a chuppah during your wedding ceremony, hanging votive candles can give the ceremony space a sense of elegance. Put your votives inside geometric patterned votive holders for an on-trend way to display the candles and safely hang them from the alter. If it’s warm enough where you are to get married outside, hang some of these votive holders from a tree in your ceremony space to create a whimsical bohemian look.

Tapered Candlesticks on the Reception Tables

Five years ago you might have looked at a tapered candle and turned your nose up, but we’re all about embracing this forgotten classic candle type. Pair a white tapered candle with a bold colored candlestick holder, such as silver or a deep red, or place it in a vintage clear glass. Surround your tapered candles with winter greenery or a wreath for a gorgeous contrast.

Flickering Tea Lights in the Entrance

There are plenty of creative ways to display candles, but you also can’t deny that they are plenty lovely on their own. To create the “wow” factor using simple tea lights, place a bunch of them together for maximum impact at the entrance of the ceremony space or to greet your guests as they head to the reception.

Glass Hurricane Candle Holders

You may think that glass hurricane candle holders seem a bit basic, but stay with us—these are likely going to be your cheapest, yet most luminous, option for candles. Not only are the wicks protected from wind inside of the hurricane glass, but the reflection of the flame bouncing off the glass also gives the light a little more power in brightening up the room or space.

Overhead and Uplighting Options Galore

Candlelight provides romantic, intimate lighting, but you also need to have enough light so that your guests can see. This is especially important during the winter, when the sun sets earlier than it does during the rest of the year. The only problem is that much of the overhead lighting that your venue likely already has is dim, fluorescent, and not very pretty. Here are a few overhead and uplighting options for you to consider for your winter wedding.

The Ultra Popular String Lights

There’s a reason why string lights are so popular: because they are gorgeous. String lighting everywhere is a really inexpensive and effective way to create a lot of light in your venue. There are plenty of ways to display the string lights, depending on what kind of venue you have. For example, if your venue is industrial and has exposed rafters, it’s a fairly easy job to drape them along and create a curtain-like pattern.

Rent Some Uplighting from a Local Vendor

There are many companies that specifically provide uplighting for events like weddings. Uplighting is a lighting effect that is created with strategically placed light fixtures on the floor that are pointed upward to create overhead lighting. You’d be amazed at what kinds of lighting they can create—even with no access to power or inside a non-traditional wedding venue such as a barn or a tent. Talk to a local uplighting vendor who can help you design something specific for your wedding ceremony or reception.

Chandeliers With LED or Traditional Tea Light Candles

What’s more romantic than a chandelier? If you have a space in your ceremony or reception area to hang a chandelier, then you should take the opportunity. A chandelier will create more overhead lighting as well as visual interest. Top your chandelier off with carefully lit tea light candles or LED tea light candles that will put out a lot of out light without any heat or flame.

Although summer and fall are the most popular wedding seasons, a winter wedding can be magical in its own right. With beautiful garlands, bouquets filled with poinsettias and traces of snowflakes all around, getting married in December means you’ll be walkin’ (down the aisle) in a winter wonderland.

But if your wedding date is in December, some brides and grooms may be a little hesitant to throw in any type of Christmas decor at the risk of their wedding looking like the movie Love Actually threw up everywhere. Luckily, there are ways to subtly incorporate some Christmas spirit into your December wedding without making it look like Santa’s workshop at the mall. Here are a few tips on how to accomplish this with style.

Kiss Under the Mistletoe

A wedding day is bound to be filled with smooches, so why not hang a sprig of mistletoe to inspire even more? Place a hanging sprig of mistletoe above your wedding altar or right above the sweetheart table at the reception.

Add a Little Christmas into Your Bouquet

There’s nothing that says holiday spirit more than receiving a bouquet of poinsettias or seeing bunches of them around the town square for Christmas decor. Why not put a little bit of that Christmas magic into your bouquet? Add little touches of poinsettias, winterberries or even sprigs of winter greenery in your bridal bouquet that will give it a hint of Christmas without going overboard.

Have Plenty of Christmas-time Treats

Some might raise an eyebrow at too much Christmas decor in a wedding reception, but no one will object to plentiful Christmas treats at a December wedding. Have all your favorite winter goodies in stock at the reception, including hot cocoa (with a bit of a kick for the adults in the room), peppermint bark, warm apple cider and any other sweets you love to eat. In fact, your wedding could be a good opportunity to swap family Christmas recipes and have each family’s treats represented on the dessert table.

Properly Place Some Pinecones

Go on an early December nature walk to collect some pretty pinecones to display throughout the reception. A pinecone can be used as a place card holder for seating arrangements or be strung onto a decorative garland. They can also look glamorous with a little sparkly spray paint and put in a big glass jar for table decorations. The creative possibilities with pinecones are endless—and it’s a great way to get some subtle Christmas decor into your wedding without being overkill.

Put a Wreath on the Getaway Car

While silly string and a “Just Married” sign are all well and good, make the getaway car look more festive by adding an evergreen wreath on the front bumper. This will look adorable in photos and would be a perfect place to pose for some photos.

Make it Snow as You Exit

Forget the birdseed or the bubbles—have your guests toss some fake snow to make it look like you’re walking through a light dusting as you head to the car. This will be especially fun if you live in a warmer state like Texas or California that rarely sees the real stuff.

Go Caroling or Sing Christmas Songs

Buddy the Elf said it best: “The best way to spread Christmas Cheer, is singing loud for all to hear.” Incorporate some real Christmas spirit into your reception by having a Christmas sing-a-long or having the band play your favorite Christmas covers like “Santa Baby” “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” or “All I Want for Christmas Is You.”

If you’d really like to hike up the Christmas spirit, you could be adventurous and gather groups of your guests to go caroling in the neighborhoods around your venue. Once you’re done serenading the neighborhood, gather everyone back around for some hot chocolate in the venue. It certainly won’t be a wedding reception your guests will soon forget.

Jingle Bell Toasts

It’s traditional to give toasts at a wedding, but to give it a bit more Christmas cheer, have any guest who would like to say a toast to the happy couple ring some jingle bells to grab their attention. In addition to toasts, you could also have guests ring jingle bells to get the couple to kiss (instead of the age-old tradition of tapping on the side of a glass) or use jingle bells in the exit toss, which will make quite the sound as you head to the car.

Go Plaid for the Tablecloths

The classic wedding tablecloth may be white, but it would look extra elegant at Christmas time to go with a plaid tablecloth—or at the very least a plaid runner over a white tablecloth. Plaid over the tables will give you that Christmas vibe without giving you too much holiday decoration.

If you had to give up everything you knew for love, are you confident that you would choose your partner every time? On Monday in Tokyo, Japan’s 28-year-old Princess Ayako did just that by marrying Kei Moriya, a non-royal. On her wedding day, Princess Ayako wore a large, delicate yellow kimono with pink flowers and had extravagantly molded hair—typical of imperial aristocracy—while the groom wore a traditional western-style black tuxedo. While Princess Ayako gained a husband today, saying in a news conference, “I’m filled with joy to get married and to have so many people visit us at the Meiji Shrine and congratulate us,” she also effectively renounced her royal title.

In Japanese Imperial law, the female members of the royal family are required to let go of their royal titles if they choose to marry someone without ties to a royal or aristocratic family. (This is not true of the men in the royal family, who are free to marry whomever they like.) Because her new husband has no royal connections—and is instead a humble employee of a shipping company—this means that all of Princess Ayako’s money, status and her title ended today. She’s not coming away with nothing, however. The Japanese government will reportedly owe her a cool $950,000 for living expenses, but her royal life as she knows it is over.

The news of the couple’s engagement this past summer was met with a whirlwind of press and questions about their romance, which is, admittedly, adorable albeit life-changing in more ways than one for the young princess.

“It didn’t feel as though we had met for the first time,” Ayako said to reporters at their engagement press conference. Moriya also complimented his soon-to-be-bride, saying that she had a “gentle spirit.”

After today’s ceremony, Moriya said he hoped to acclimate his new bride to the life of a commoner and the young couple seemed happy to greet their guests and participate in their Shinto-style wedding at Tokyo’s Meiji Shrine, which just so happens to be dedicated to Ayako’s great-great grandfather Emperor Meiji and his wife, Empress Shoken.

A Shinto-Style Wedding

Princess Ayako and Kei Moriya were wed in a traditional Shinto-style wedding, which became popular in Japan during the 20th century. Today, less than 20 percent of modern Japanese weddings are Shinto style—with an increasing amount of couples opting for a more western style wedding.

The Shinto wedding is a very small ceremony, consisting of only the couple, the bride and groom’s family, and a few close friends. The bride will typically wear a white kimono with a white scarf, which, like in many other cultures, symbolizes purity. The ceremony begins with a purification called “shubatsu,” where the Shinto priest rids the couple of impurities before the ceremony for the Japanese gods. Prayers for good luck and happiness are then said before the couple drinks ceremonial sake.

Following the sake, the bride or groom (or sometimes both) will take an oath in front of the gods and then a “Miko” (a shrine maiden) will perform a dance for the gods. The end of the ceremony includes an offering of “tamagushi” (a sacred branch) and a ceremonial sake drinking for all the friends and family, which is said to bond the two families together.

Photos via CNN.

Remember when weddings were just cake, punch, and kisses? While some brides and grooms are eager to throw a simple, sweet bash, others are scheming up ways to make their reception truly wow their guests. If you want to go far beyond the traditional dinner and drinks reception and create an experience your guests won’t soon forget, here are 19 entertainment ideas for a truly unique wedding reception.

1. Magician

What’s more magical than an evening celebrating love? A real-life magician! Hire a magician to perform sleight of hand that will keep your guests guessing.

2. Fireworks

Make ’em say wow with a fireworks display that will keep the whole neighborhood talking.

3. Bar Trivia

Is there a favorite bar trivia night that you go to weekly? Why not ask them to set up shop at your wedding reception? You could even make it couple-themed and have your guests answer questions about the two of you!

4. Dog Adoption Event

Are the two of you wildly passionate about puppies? See if a local animal shelter would be willing to host an adoption event at your wedding reception! Not only will your guests get to cuddle the pups all night, but a couple of lucky dogs may find a new home.

5. A Themed Cover Band

Sure, you could hire a typical wedding band that will perform the classics—or you could go all out and hire a band that specializes in playing the hits of a specific decade or even a specific band. (Because what’s better than a pop punk band playing the songs of your youth? We can’t think of much either.)

6. Caricaturist

Skip the wedding favors and hire a caricaturist to capture the essence of your guests. Don’t forget to get special ones of the bridal party and the happy couple!

7. Dove Release

Want something memorable and romantic? This gorgeous and breathtaking wedding tradition won’t go unnoticed.

8. Karaoke

Does the band or DJ need a break? Entertain your guests with a karaoke session—featuring all of your wedding party or some very brave wedding guests.

9. Play the Big Game

If you’re having your wedding during a sports league playoff or while there’s an important college football game, you could skip the groans of guests who are missing the game (or secretly checking the score on their phones) and play the game on a big screen in the reception area. Put on closed captioning so that you can still hear the music, and be sure to put the dancing on hold if the game goes into overtime!

10. Lawn Games

Lawn games are an old standby of picnics and reunions, but why not have them at your wedding? Bust out the croquet, horseshoes, and shuffleboard inside your venue or out on the lawn if the weather is appropriate.

11. S’mores Bar

Having a fall wedding? There’s nothing better than cuddling up around a fire pit and roasting some marshmallows for s’mores. Up your game by offering gourmet and unexpected combinations of marshmallows, chocolates, and graham crackers.

12. Bourbon or Wine Tasting

If you and your partner love to do liquor tastings, this is something fun you could have your guests do at the reception. Set up stations for wine, bourbon, or whisky that will allow your guests to discover a few favorites.

13. A Petting Zoo

Are the two of you big animal lovers? Nothing could be cuter than having a petting zoo outside of your reception.

14. Release Paper Lanterns

What could be more romantic than releasing paper lanterns into the sky at the end of your wedding reception? This will make for an unforgettable experience for your guests—and will look gorgeous in photos.

15. A Fortune Teller

You already know who you’ll be marrying, but what else is in store for your future? Have a fortune teller set up a booth at your reception and allow your guests to peer into their future lives.

16. Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides

Getting married in the country or near the park? Have your guests pair off and enjoy a beautiful horse-drawn carriage ride during the reception.

17. DIY Cocktail Bar

Love crafting cocktails? A DIY cocktail bar for your guests lets them create their own concoctions, using herbs, bitters, liquors, and seltzers to make that perfect combination.

18. Bouncy House

Bring out your inner child and take turns jumping in the big bounce house (just make sure that the one you’re renting is made for adults!).

19. Board Games

Are you a big fan of spending an evening tallying up your points during a rousing game of Scrabble? Do you live for figuring out the killer in a round of Clue? Having board games available for your guests at their tables might be your idea of a perfect evening.

You want your guests to feel comfortable and relaxed throughout your entire ceremony and reception—and a wedding reception lounge is just the ticket for those guests who want to get away from the dance floor or sit a spell and chat. This is especially key if you’re planning on having a party-like atmosphere during the reception that might make it difficult to hear someone softer than a yell.

Creating a wedding reception lounge space doesn’t take a lot of money or effort and can actually be done with things you already have at home or “borrowing” a few pieces of furniture from the venue. Here are a few tips for creating a reception lounge area for your wedding reception.

1. Make it Comfortable

The whole point of a lounge area is to make a comfortable space for your guests—so fill it with soft, plush, and comfy items like blankets, pillows, rugs, and any other items you think might work well. You want to make it an inviting space for your guests to take a breather, slowly sip on their drink, and enjoy the company of other guests. After all, weddings are the perfect occasion to catch up with old friends and long-lost cousins and meet new acquaintances, so having a cozy spot for them to chat is key in your lounge area.

2. Use What’s Already Available

To keep costs down, it’s best to use furniture you have at home or use anything that’s available to you at the venue. Because you have an entire ceremony and reception to decorate, you don’t want to focus too much of your budget in the lounge.

It’s likely that your venue has at least a few upholstered chairs or lounge chairs that are set up somewhere—don’t be afraid to ask if you can temporarily rearrange them into a lounge space. Even if the chairs aren’t necessarily your style, you’d be surprised at what a strategically placed pillow or fur throw can do to a lackluster piece of furniture.

If your venue doesn’t have much furniture available, you can also ask your venue coordinator if you could bring something in from your home. You don’t have to do anything too crazy like bring in your whole living room, but adding in a couple of accent chairs and a rug would add a cozy touch to your lounge area.

3. Tie in Your Theme/Colors

Like everything else in your wedding reception, you want to make sure that your lounge area looks like it belongs with the rest of your wedding decor. It doesn’t take much to make this happen, whether it’s draping a couple of throws in your wedding colors or adding a few flower arrangements that match the rest of the tables inside the reception. You essentially want this space to be a mini version of your reception, but with a more relaxed feel.

4. Keep the Drinks Flowing

Like any other lounge, you want to ensure that your guests always have a cocktail in hand. If it’s possible, keep your lounge area close to the bar or have a waiter check on your lounge guests every so often to refresh their drinks. If your lounge area isn’t close to your reception bar, you could always do something special like incorporate a DIY cocktail bar into the space or have a few reserve liquors for those who are choosing to hang out in the lounge.

5. Have Tables for Drinks

It’s a lounge, so one of the most important features is that you have plenty of space to store drinks. Put a couple of strategically placed end tables or coffee tables in the space so that your guests will have somewhere to set their signature cocktail and sip at their leisure.

6. Keep it Light

When it comes to anything at your reception, lighting is key. Think about other lounges you’ve been to in the past: was the lighting light and bright or was it soft and subtle? You may not have control over what overhead lighting you have in the venue, but you can always bring in some reinforcements like string lights, candles, and maybe even a lamp or two.

7. Add Table Games

Keeping your guests entertained during your reception is likely a main concern of yours, and the lounge space is no exception. Since the lounge area will be set apart from the dance floor and much of the action of the reception, you may want to keep a few board games or card games available so that your more low-key guests can take advantage of the quiet fun they provide.

8. Let Your Guests Know Where it Is

Of course, the most important thing about the lounge is that it’s being used by your guests. If your lounge area isn’t in the main reception space, put some simple signage that leads your guests directly to the lounge. You don’t want it to be a secret, after all!