Contributed by Info Guru Terri Wallace

After the stress of months of preparation, and after the solemnity of the ceremony, it is time to kick up your heels, indulge in a little whimsy, and enjoy the festivities with friends and family.

Before the day-to-day monotony of married life takes hold, take time to celebrate with these fun reception ideas.

10. Cake Topper

Instead of perpetuating the stereotype of a woman in white, and her man in stark black, consider a custom cake topper with a little more personality — something that reflects your style, your life choices, and your personality as a couple. Whether you love football, animals, Doctor Who, literature or Mickey and Minnie there are cake toppers to suit every style and preference.

9. Champagne Flutes

When it is time for that all-important first toast, make sure that the champagne flutes are something special, something heirloom worthy. Choose something that reflects your style and that you will look forward to unpacking every year on your anniversary as you rise your glass and reminisce.

8. Place-card Bling

Bring a little bling to the reception with diamond replica place card holders. Not only will these dazzling diamonds bring a little whimsy to the reception tables, but they can also serve as a fanciful way to display wedding photos long after the Big Day has come and gone.

7. Reception Card Box

If you are fortunate enough to have guests who want to contribute to your new life with your significant other, you should make it as easy as possible for them to gift a generous check. A lovely reception card box is a stylish way to remind them to hand over a cash-filled card!

6. Nuptial Chocolate

No celebration is complete without chocolate. On this most joyous of days, the blessed couple can make the day even more special by presenting guests with chocolate. Personalized chocolate candy boxes or bars, bearing the bride and groom’s names and the wedding date, will make sure that your guests share in the sweet occasion.

5. Let Them Eat Cupcakes!

Individual cupcakes are a sweet treat for guests to take home after the reception. The cupcakes, whether in a simple design or as an elaborate recreation of the wedding cake, can be packed in personalized containers to share with guests.

4. Well-Wishes Photo

Instead of a traditional guest book, consider something that better reflects the journey that your relationship has taken on your way to the altar. A black and white photo of your first date, your first holiday together, or the night that he proposed, mounted on a white matte board, is the perfect place for guests to scribe their well wishes.

3. Wedding Wishes Stones

Encourage attendees to share their wedding wishes with the happy couple with Wish Stones. Guests can sign a small stone with a word of wisdom, or a wish for your future together, then add their well wishes to the vase to help preserve the love and joy of your special day.

2. Fancy Facial Tissue

Where there are weddings…there will be tears. Plan ahead for a deluge of drama with personalized packs of fancy facial tissue to dab away the tears of joy. Make sure to provide the mother of the bride with several packs to get her through the day. (If she doesn’t particularly like the groom, you should probably give her a few extra packs to tuck in her purse.)

1. Memorial Candle

Weddings can remind us of those who couldn’t be there—a father who passed away and never got to walk his daughter down the aisle, a beloved grandmother who missed seeing her favorite grandson finally find a woman worthy of him. However, even lost loved ones can be symbolically included in the ceremony with Memorial Candles. The candles can be included at the reception as a way to commemorate those who celebrate with you … if only in spirit.