Is it true of the old cliche that all weddings are romantic or have modern day traditions, sucked dry the romance? I can say in all honesty that the numbers of truly romantic weddings I have attended are few and far between. They seem so impersonal, as though weddings are now being manufactured in a wedding factory. There are too many formalities, too much tension; weddings are too structured and too expensive. So how do we put the spontaneity and romance back into weddings?

Here are some ideas which depending on your style of wedding could assist in creating the romantic wedding of your dreams.

Attitude is the key to having the most romantic wedding. Let yourself be inspired by your senses, what are your favourite settings and scenic landscapes. Is it a Japanese garden or a mountain landscape or is it simply overlooking the ocean on the edge of a cliff? Do your senses transport you to another era, another location - the amazing scenery of the south of France? When you close your eyes do you imagine the floating of fabric to a soft ocean breeze? Are there candles, the fragrance of gardenias, and the sounds of a tropical rainforest in your romantic ideal? Romance is everywhere, so let your senses be your guide to creating the perfect ambience for your wedding.

Once you have decided on the places, themes and imagery that inspire romance think about the locations that will best achieve this. Is it a park, a meadow, an alfresco venue, a majestic forest or a secluded beach with white sands and crystal Blue Ocean? Light has an essential role to play in the mood of the event. Sunset and twilight are the most beautiful times of the evening. The softness of the sun's rays as it begins to go down and the splashes or orange, pinks and purples in the night sky makes for a spectacular array of colour. And once the sun goes down, candles or lanterns which have been hung from a canopy of tree branches or placed by or in lake will take your into a world of fantasy. Trees are the earths' endless effort to speak to the listening heaven. -Rabindranath Tagore

For the music you may choose flutes or violins to play between the ceremony and reception. Jazz and the sound of a pianist or the ethereal sounds of a choir will add the spice to the romantic party feel.

Think of the arrival to your event, a hot air balloon, a horse and carriage or a gondola ride could make for the perfect entrance if your wedding is by a lake. Imagine your first appearance as man and wife walking on a red carpet through a canopy of trees to a reception under the stars. The subtle lights of the lanterns in the trees and candles on the tables make for an exquisite setting.

The romance is carried on by the newlyweds. A serenade by the groom to the bride will touch all your guests and will bring a tear to their eyes. If this not your pleasure, then a romantic sentiment like a 'why I love you speech', could be expressed by either party. A dove release in some culture symbolises peace and happiness in the marriage. A firework display is always beautiful, romantic and a climatic finale.

Romance is everywhere and do not have to end after the wedding day. The groom may want to send flowers to his love every month for their first year of marriage. The bride might randomly write love notes that her new husband finds every now and then in the most unlikely places. Keep the romance and excitement alive long after your wedding and you will surely have wedded bliss.

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