When you are planning your wedding, do not overlook a potentially wonderful element that you can use: water.
It may seem so obvious that one does not give it a second thought, but water can be used in all sorts of ways to add ambiance to a wedding.
Whether it is a ceremony by the ocean, or including unique water elements in a landlocked reception, you will be amazed to find out all the things that you can do with water elements.
Of course the most obvious way to enhance your wedding with water, is to hold it beside a body of water like a lake, river, or ocean.
There is nothing quite like being married alongside a lazy river, or with the ocean waves gently rolling onto the shore behind you.
It is scenic, romantic, and will make your wedding simply beautiful.
We can't all get married by the ocean, but that does not mean that you have to give up the idea of including water in your wedding.
There are other types of venues that have interesting water features, and there are also ways to add your own.
One lovely setting for a wedding ceremony or the cocktail hour which follows would be the courtyard of a grand hotel.
Many have gorgeous fountains, which would make a beautiful backdrop for your event, and especially for the photographs.
The sound of water bubbling in the background is a very pleasant one, indeed.
For an evening wedding, look into venues that have fountains which they light at night for even more impact in a water feature.
If you are having your wedding at home, you can bring in a special water element.
One idea would be a contemporary wall fountain.
These are often created from a backing material such as undulating copper, and the water flows down the wall fountain in beautiful cascades.
A really neat thing about this type of fountain is that many of them work equally well indoors.
Imagine what a cool effect it would be to bring a waterfall into an interior venue such as a loft.
Backyard weddings can also benefit from the beauty and serenity of a water feature.
When you are getting married on your own property, you can think about doing some clever landscaping with water.
For instance, did you know that it is remarkably easy to build a small pond in your own backyard? Any garden center will have the materials and instructions necessary to add your own little backyard oasis.
The best part is "decorating" your pond.
Fill it with lazy koi fish for a Zen feeling.
Or bring out your inner Monet with a waterlily garden.
The best garden centers have entire sections devoted to special water plants that you can use to make your water feature even more delightful.
Those are some of the "splashier" ways that one can include a water element in a wedding, but there are also plenty of small and simple additions that one can make.
For instance, some brides just go crazy for sparkle.
Everything from their gown to their stud earrings must be adorned with Swarovski crystal upon fabulous crystal.
Bring the sparkle of the perfect pair of Swarovski crystal stud earrings into your centerpieces by filling the base of each vase with crystals to dance and twinkle in the water.
That is an example of taking something as utilitarian as the water needed in a vase and making it a design element.
Another way to transform water into something special is with a few drops of food coloring.
Finally, when you are looking for water elements to add to your reception, don't overlook floating candles and floating flowers.
It is a very simple idea, but the water transforms a basic candle into something that flows and swirls, which introduces the element of movement into your table design.
It is amazing how something as elemental as water can become such an integral part of the style and ambiance of a wedding.