How the West Was Wed

See also: Dog Theme Weddings

Welcome to the latest stop in our Comparative Weddingology course: Colorado.

Boulder's Daily Camera describes "an increasingly popular trend in which couples put their own creative twists on tradition."

What does that mean, exactly? It might mean weaving fragrant herbs into the ceremony and reception, to show a love of nature. It often means the ceremony's held outdoors during the warm, dry months. And it also means the personal touch with wedding favors, reception music, flower designs and most especially, the overall wedding theme. Drafting the couple's dog as ringbearer is becoming more popular, too.

Western couples try hard to involve their guests and create a sense of togetherness, says one planner. One couple, who designed an arch of aspen leaves, asked their guests to decorate the arch with supplied fresh flowers and "kind wishes and blessings."

Although "nine out of ten" Boulder brides she talked with planned an outdoor ceremony, said one retailer, the dresses themselves are as formal as ever.