prep talk

A wedding is a very intimate and personal affair. Soon-to-weds shed sweat and tears just to make the event uniquely theirs. Personalizing a wedding may be as subtle as the engraved name and wedding date in the rings or the monogrammed envelopes for the invites. It can even be as elaborate as having a five-minute AVP (audio-visual presentation) produced and shown during the reception to highlight the couple's love story. To make the special day more meaningful and heartfelt, other couples personally compose their own marriage vows to reflect their true sentiments and commitment to each other.

Whatever it is, people (and not just brides and grooms) have the natural tendency to prefer something personalized to make an ordinary thing more sentimental or for it to standout.

Below are some of the everyday objects typically seen in weddings, which, given a touch of personalization, are seen in a whole new light. These items are relatively more expensive that the usual fare out there but we thought these fab ideas are really worth mentioning. All the products described below were sourced through the internet. While they are not locally available (yet), these may be ordered by interested parties online. We personally like these items that we might have considered ordering them during our wedding. *sigh*

From m's to I am

Take the unassuming m&m's^®, for instance. As it is, these chocolate candies are so typical, it is seen more as fillers in kiddie party lootbags that as wedding favors. We all have been accustomed to the tiny letter 'm' printed on top of its candy shells. So what makes it even worth mentioning here?

The good folks at m&m's^® (www.mms.com), now made it possible for you to put your names and wedding date on those colorful shells that melts in your mouth, not in. you know the rest. Here's how. Choose your color motif from among the 13 colors available or you may opt for the pre-selected color blends - the Classic Wedding blend is silver, cream and white. You can then create a customize message -- a maximum of two lines with eight characters each. A second message comes in free! They also have choices in creative packaging that will look lovely as wedding giveaways.

They do require that the custom messages remain positive so that the sweet treats won't leave a bad taste in anyone's mouth. Reasonable enough.

Roses are read

And what would weddings be without flowers? From bouquets to church decors to table centerpieces, they are a big day must-have. Flowers can speak how grand and how expensive a wedding truly is, and the choices and combinations, whether festive or subtle, sizable or minimal, truly says a lot about the bride and groom.

But now, you can literally say it with flowers. Credit that to Speaking Roses International Inc. (www.speakingroses.com) for making it possible. The company introduced a patented technology to emboss text, images or monograms on the petals of live roses of any color in bouquet arrangements or even in individual petal confetti. We never imagined that personalizing flowers can even be possible until we saw these fancy pansies.

Quickly becoming hot celebrity gifts, Paris Hilton received Speaking Flowers with her photo with her beloved chihuahua, Tinkerbell for her birthday this year. These signature blooms were also part of the celebrity gifts during the Grammy Awards.

Ring for a message

Wedding rings are one of the most personal ways to permanently remember your special day. What is usually done is to have your spouse's name and wedding date engraved in your ring and your name on the other. But why not take it further and have a pair custom-designed with the names and date 'cut-out' in gold or silver to form the ring? I can be done and beautifully at that!

You can either have the design inside or shown outside the ring. Having the message inside makes it more personal and intimate. However, a message on the outside signifies your pride and commitment towards the person whose name the ring is shaped after. Besides, it's too beautiful a design (and expensive, at that!) to be modest about. Check out www.jewelbasket.com for more design ideas.

To top it all

A cake topper is one wedding item not usually used nowadays. In weddings we've attended in recent years, couple's usually opt for fresh flowers or fruits for the top tier of their cake. Sometimes, there's even nothing there at all.

We can't blame them. Most of the commercially available wedding caketops locally are those of the stiff couple made of plaster of paris with half-baked smiles which looks like they're up for a firing squad than a wedding. It is sad that cake toppers are more seen in birthday cakes and less in weddings.

But what if you can have a topper that resembles you? That is exactly what Dawn Stubitsch (www.thumbprintkids.com) has been doing in recent years. She hand-sculpt the figurines with great attention to details basing the design simply on pictures provided by the couple. The end product is truly a work-of-art that captures the uniqueness of the couple in romantic or humorous ways. These toppers can even match the design of the bride's gown and shoes or reflect the subjects' hobbies or career. The figures are mounted in a wooden base and come with a glass dome for a beautiful display after the big day.

Just seeing her past works felt like we wanted to be married all over again just to have a caketopper done by her. If you think about it, these customized figurines are literally commissioned sculptures pretending to be caketops. Check out her work and drool with us.

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prep talkback: Send comments and queries to P.O. Box 233, Greenhills, San Juan City 1502 or email: mail@WeddingsAtWork.com.

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