A: Couples are getting married a little later than they did 10 years ago, and that often means fewer single guests attend a wedding. Demographics is one reason for declining interest in the bouquet and garter rituals, considered to confer luck and a future spouse on the recipients. It's fair to say that some men and women consider the garter toss an outmoded and undignified spectacle, another reason for the downturn. On the rise: the more inclusive anniversary dance. With this dance, all married couples are invited to join the bride and groom on the dance floor. Once the dancing gets underway, the DJ or bandleader asks all couples married less than one year to leave the floor, while everyone else continues. As the song goes on, he dismisses couples married five, 10, 20 years and beyond until the couple that has been married the longest has the dance floor to themselves. The bride and groom then present a small bouquet to the couple.

Have a question about your wedding? Laura Davis, a wedding consultant in Berkley , Mich. , is at your service. E-mail her at laura@contentthatworks.com

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