Custom runner for NBA star Rip Hamilton's wedding designed by "The Original Runner Company"

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With more than two million weddings happening in the United States every year, finding a way to make yours stand out can be a challenge.  Brides-to-be are often inspired by their favorite celebrities, who tend to be trendsetters by finding unique ways to create a memorable experience.

According to event planner extraordinaire, Mindy Weiss, you can “Personalize your wedding like a celebrity would do. Celebs step out of the box and customize their weddings.  That is what you need to do so people remember your wedding and it doesn’t become another cookie cutter event.  Taking things in a different direction – maybe not with traditional classical music but The Beatles instead – that’s a very a big trend right now.”

So what are these celebrities choosing for their walk down the aisle?

• Melanie Lynskey (“Two and a Half Men”) and Jimmi Simpson: “Please, Please, Please, Let Me Get What I Want” by the Smiths
• Rebecca Romijn and Jerry O’Connell: Guests joined a choir in singing Foreigner’s “I Want to Know What Love Is”
• Yasmine Bleeth (“Baywatch”) and Paul Cerrito: “Wicked Game” by Chris Isaak
• Courteney Cox and David Arquette: “Maybe I’m Amazed” by Wings
• Kirk Douglas and Anne Douglas: “Love and Marriage” by Frank Sinatra
• Katherine Heigl and Josh Kelley: “December 23” by Josh Kelley. Katherine mentioned to Josh several months before the wedding that she really wanted him to write a beautiful song to walk down the aisle to. He wrote a song, a guitar and cello piece called “December 23,” which was specifically dedicated to Katherine.

So dreamy, right? I still dream of being serenaded. Is there anything more romantic?

Well, on the off chance that you are not marrying a talented recording artist, never fear! You can still feel like a star. Our team of hit songwriters creates custom wedding songs for our clients that can be performed live for your breathtaking walk down the aisle.

So if you could pick anyone to write and perform your processional song, whom would you choose?

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I love feeling like I know someone better after I leave his or her event. If it’s a wedding, I have a sense of the bride and groom…how they met, their likes, their love, their story. If it’s a Bar Mitzvah, it’s wonderful seeing their commitment to their family, their faith, and their unique interests.  Even birthday parties and other special occasions, those extra details give you a window to the special person you are celebrating.

Today’s Tip: Instead of labeling your tables numerically, consider naming them for your favorite songs. If it’s a wedding or anniversary, chose titles of songs that have special significance to your relationship. The song playing on the car radio at the end of your first date. The song that you rocked out to last New Year’s Eve. Your “Our Song” of “they’re playing our song.” For those occasions honoring you individually, the sky’s the limit. You can choose your favorite songs: silly, serious, and everything in between.

I’m nearing my second anniversary, so for our next big celebration, I’m definitely taking my own advice. Here is one song title that I’ll be using for a table name.

Let My Love Open The Door – This Pete Townshend song always makes me smile. Featured in a poignant moment of the great movie “Dan in Real Life,” “Let My Love Open the Door” reminds me how amazing my husband is. Once when I was frustrated sitting in the dreaded LA traffic, I called him to vent. I was near tears, when suddenly he started singing this song. By the time he started trying to harmonize with himself, I was hysterically laughing. Now in those nightmare traffic moments, I’ll just call and say, “Babe, I need you to sing that song.” And the best part is…he does.

Another must-have table name for us is “Here Today,” the song I co-wrote with the brilliant Andrea Stolpe (Faith Hill, Jimmy Wayne) especially for my wedding day.  Not only is it the perfect reflection of us, but it also signifies the inspiration for my custom songwriting company, and a new adventure for us both.

Not up for song titles? Use your favorite artists’ names instead. Check out this beautiful table “number” designed by Anne K. Rodriguez, “The Paper Stylist” (thepaperstylist.com).

www.felicekeller.com

Picture courtesy Jordana Taylor Hazel

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