Your Family Tree

When a bride and groom marry, more than just their names are joined together.  In most cases a marriage means the joining of two families as well.  To let your family and friends see just where they fit in that blend, many bridal couples are devising a pictoral representation of their newly formed family tree, for all to see on their wedding day.

An easy do-it-yourself project, a family tree can be done craftily with poster boards and craft paper, or using the branches of a Manzanita tree.  Either way, all that is needed are some family photographs and a labeller or black marker to help identify those in the photos.

Once you have your tree designed and laid out, you may want to start at the top and work your way down, by placing your engagement photo at the very top. Following the side that you or your groom are on in your picture, have one side of the tree pictorially depicting his side of the family, and the other side depicting yours.  

A great way to bring your two families together in a joint project before the actual wedding day, creating a family tree together can also break the ice between the two families and forge a new bond.

If you are using a Manzanita tree and hanging your photos from it's branches, you might also want to add a favorite object or trinket from each family as further decoration.  Not only will you be paying homage to those items that are special to your families, but also creating a stunning designed piece that will draw the attention of all your guests.

Other items you may wish to hang from your tree, regardless of whether your tree is made of paper and one dimensional or wood and three dimensional, are items that reflect the season or your wedding location.

Areas known for their orchards may be decorated with miniature decorative apple ornaments or cutouts.  Similarly any other fruit or regional flower that is in season or that the area is known for, will also make for special decorative pieces.  If your wedding is in the Fall you might also wish to give your leaves an orange and yellow burnish tint, or place some leaves strategically around the base of the tree.

Carrying your tree theme further through your wedding you can also gift your guests with favors of sapling trees or the seeds with which they can plant and grow their own family trees.

Help your families grow together at your wedding and before, by creating your own new and original family tree.

©2009 Weddingstar Inc.