'Anything goes' for today's wedding ideas

From creating unique, personalized wedding albums to writing original vows, modern couples are putting their own stamp on their big day.

Nancy Hastings writes in the Hillsdale Daily News that "there’s really no one way to tie the knot these days."

She points out that a combination of pragmatism and changing tastes means that some features traditionally seen in weddings are being discarded by brides and grooms, such as throwing a bouquet and garter.

Rather than singling out unmarried friends, Hastings says that more people are choosing to substitute an anniversary dance, in which the longest-married couple at the reception receives the bouquet to celebrate their union.

Additionally, she describes how newlyweds who have paid large sums to rent a reception venue for a set period are opting to mingle with their guests rather than greet each person separately in a receiving line, which may take much longer.

Couples spent an average of $2,459 on a reception venue in 2007, according to the Wedding Report.

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