Bird accents are hatching throughout weddings
Couples madly in love often are called “lovebirds.” Now many couples are taking that slang term to heart and using it as part of their wedding celebration.
Shelli Alred, owner of Alred Wedding Consultants, says she has seen a trend toward using natural elements, such as moss and birch branches in weddings. Birds are a fit without being the focus.
“Birds can be used as accents to the wedding. I’ve had couples use bird-shaped wine stoppers and beer bottle openers as their favors. Another couple decorated the reception with lighted trees and placed birds on some of the branches. Birds work well with the natural or vintage wedding,” she says.
Jane Winter, owner of Wildflowers, says many brides are asking for a natural, handpicked look for their floral designs. When using trees, twigs and branches in the arrangements, birds are a natural extension of that look.
Another way to use birds as an accent is with the cake.
“Since many couples are using more natural elements in their weddings these days, it makes sense that birds are a popular motif right now. We have helped couples incorporate birds into their cake design using fondant appliqués, piped designs or sometimes simply as a topper,” says Erika Robertson Frank, owner of the Cakery.
One of the most popular ways to incorporate birds in your wedding is through stationary and paper products, from invitations and envelopes to menu cards and napkins.
“Birds in general are a theme in stationary, owls in particular,” says Kippin Sanchez, co-owner of Vellum. “We’ve had brides use birds mainly for outdoor or garden weddings. It’s a nice touch as a graphic element instead of a flower or a tree.”
Sanchez says birds also are in style among couples having their reception at the zoo.
“Peacocks are a natural fit for a zoo wedding and they are a great way to incorporate bright colors, especially the blues that are so popular right now.
Just don’t get too carried away with the birds, warns photographer Liz Sloan of L Photographie, who witnessed one case of live birds gone awry.
When the couple came out of the church after the ceremony, the bride and groom were each handed a dove. There also was a cage filled with 20 white doves on the ground next to them. The couple released their doves and the cage was opened simultaneously. But the doves didn’t fly into the air as expected.
“They flew straight into the crowd of guests,” says Sloan. “People were screaming and hitting the ground to avoid the birds flying at them.”
Releasing white doves is a beautiful symbol of love, fidelity and peace. Just be sure to use experienced bird trainers.
Bird imagery can be a beautiful and natural enhancement to your wedding and a great way to show that two “lovebirds” truly are “birds of a feather.”
