Receiving Wedding Gifts in Style

Every soon-to-be bride and groom wants to create an unforgettable experience at their wedding, full of exquisite décor, lavish floral arrangements and scrumptious cuisine.

But wedding planning isn't just about following the mold.

Avoid following tradition for tradition's sake. If you're not crazy about tossing a bouquet of flowers at your girls? Don't do it! Want to add the "Tarantella" but aren't Italian? Add the dance in anyway. It's 2010 and weddings are about customization and personalization.

One tradition that has started falling to the wayside is the wandering from table to table to greet guests with a money bag in hand in order to collect gifts.

Thrifty brides are now scouring the stores and Internet for great deals on beautiful card boxes instead and creative brides are settling down at home with lots of glue, cardboard and patience to make their own.

Card boxes range from a simple white rectangle with a neatly tied bow to an elegant Tiffany blue creation resembling a perfectly crafted fondant wedding cake. Some brides have sought out treasure chests and bird cages to keep their gifts in. But why stop there?

Garden City's own My Miniature Manor, a dollhouse store on Franklin Avenue, offers an innovative alternative. Browsing through the aisles- or the website- a potential customer will find a variety of houses ranging from posh Victorian abodes to quaint farm-style mansions. The designs can be built and painted by the store or the kits can be brought home and the houses constructed by handy family members. A panel can be added to the open back of the house, and a slit cut to allow for the depositing of cards.

After the contents have been put in bank accounts and spent on new furniture, the house does not need to go to waste. My Miniature Manor offers beautiful accessories such as mahogany armoires and miniature china sets to create any desired look. The mansion can act as a beautiful display in a new home or as a gift for any future little ones.

Using a dollhouse from the shop can inspire a fresh tradition for the blossoming family. Margaret Mullooly, the store's owner, said, "Lots of times people come in and buy the miniatures for showers; [they will buy] a crib instead of toting a big one."

Creating a unique nuptial experience does not stop at the dollhouse-turned-card box. Favors, décor, cake, attire and more are all opportunities for the bride and groom to express their personalities and to bask in the delight of hosting an event that does not get lost in a white sea of weddings.

Visit My Miniature Manor at 731 Franklin Avenue or http://www.myminiaturemanor.com/.