Tips for Brides Over 40: Wedding Ideas for the Sophisticated and Mature Bride

It’s wonderful when you meet your prince charming at any age. Although the emphasis should be on the marriage and not so much the wedding day, it’s a fact that most young girls spend lots of time dreaming about their wedding day. Ask any young girl and she can probably tell you what her wedding colors will be, what her dress will look like and who her bridesmaids will be. Although this dream will change many times over, many women will see their dream come true in their twenties or early thirties. Yet for many other women, prince charming won’t come along until much later. When this happens, one can still have a fairy tale wedding, but one that is age appropriate. Here are some tips for a more elegant, sophisticated and mature wedding.

1. Pick The Right Venue – The place you choose to have your wedding will set the tone for the entire day. For example, you don’t want to wear a formal gown if you’re going to get married on the beach do you? So pick your place first and go from there. Many older brides opt not to have a church wedding. Consider non-traditional places like the beach, garden, a Victorian tea house, ranch, civic theater or bed and breakfast.

2. Consider a Destination and/or Theme Wedding – Destination weddings are fantastic, but consider more non-traditional destinations like – Mackinac Island in the UP/Michigan, New Orleans, Niagara Falls, or Alaska. If you and your fiance enjoy golfing, you might want to plan a wedding centered around golf. Or if you enjoy horses, plan a wedding at a ranch and have a western theme. If you do decide on a theme wedding, be very careful in your planning as theme weddings can become tacky/overdone if not planned correctly.

3. Timing Is Important – How about trying something unique? Opt for a sunset wedding on the beach, or an afternoon garden ceremony. What about a midnight wedding cruise, or an early morning ceremony with a brunch reception? The possibilities are endless.

4. Make “Fun” A Big Part of Your Plans – Don’t be so stuffy/traditional. Weddings are a celebration. Also many older brides will have children and/or step-children involved in the festivities, so incorporate some family fun. Consider a family oriented reception at the zoo, or a beach/pool reception. If marrying in the fall/winter have a hay or sleigh ride followed by an informal reception with possibly cider and an assortment of desserts (and don’t forget the candied apples).

5. Wedding Invitations – Make sure the invitations reflect you and your fiance’s personality and style. Consider a photo invitation or an invitation on DVD. If you are computer savvy, consider making your own invitations. This could be fun for you as a couple, and save you lots of money.

6. Wedding Gown – Remember that most standard wedding gowns are designed with the younger bride in mind. A more mature bride should probably stay away from princess style/full skirt gowns and full veils. Instead opt for a more elegant look like a silhouette gown with more simple beading (remember less is more for an older bride) or even an elegant suit. Also, consider skipping a headpiece and go with simple hair jewelry or flowers in the hair instead. Think about wearing more stunning and vibrant colors like wine, champagne, silver, gold or soft pastels instead of the traditional white.

7. The Wedding Party – The fewer the better when it comes to wedding parties. Unlike twenty-something brides, you don’t have to feel obligated to include your sister, cousin or the girl next door. Instead only include those closest to you and your fiance in the wedding party. If you have children, consider including them.

8. The Honeymoon – Some couples spend lots of money on the wedding and then stench on, or even cancel the honeymoon all together. Don’t do this. You and your fiance need this time to be alone (even if you take the kids with you, be sure to plan for some time alone). The honeymoon is a great start to a fantastic marriage.

Reference:

• Wedding Invitations – www.absorbcreative.com