It's not long ago that chair covers and chocolate fountains were new so what's happening now for brides planning their big day for 2012, 2013 and beyond? This page gives you a few ideas you may not have though of to book or make yourself. Some are new ideas that are becoming popular, others are a little unusual so check them out and let us know of other ideas you discover as you plan your big day.

Locations in italics tell you which sites to visit to find that service.

Arrange for a barn owl to fly into your ceremony and deliver the rings to your hands. Romantic and very dramatic. Newcastle

Hire an ice-cream cart - perfect for themed English, country or retro weddings and anyone who simply loves nice-cream - that'll be everyone then! Some ice-cream carts supply Indian, Halal or specialist ice-cream. Leeds

Book a photo booth to compliment the photographer and give some great memories of guests together. Harrogate, Leeds, Newcastle

Hire a helicopter to transport you from your ceremony to the reception in style. Newcastle

A few entertainment ideas for the drinks reception or evening party are caricaturist, fun casino playing for fun money and magician. Birmingham, Cardiff, Chester, Harrogate, Hereford, Leicester, Middlesbrough, Reading, Taunton, Windermere, York

Hire a bus for your guests, it ticks all the right boxes - it's sociable, no parking worries, takes cars off the road and no drinking drivers. Belfast, Scarborough, Sheffield

For a fabulous finale light up the sky and write your initials in the air with a professional fireworks display. Derby

Invite those children you were wondering about and lay on childcare or entertainment specially for them. Harrogate, Hull, Loughborough, Middlesbrough, Pickering, Scarborough, Worcester

Hire vintage crockery to serve an English tea-party. Birmingham, Keswick, Windermere, Worcester

Instead of a marquee hire a beautiful Nordic kata for your reception. Belfast

Commission a logo or monogram combining your initials and maybe a motif from the wedding to display on stationery, jewellery, gifts, your album and more. Scarborough, York

Just like Kate Middleton, transform your venue or marquee by hiring mature topiary plants. Pickering, Scarborough

Instead of packing your dress in a box take it to a dress agency so it can sparkle again - good for the pocket and the environment. Loughborough

Make a change with cheese - order a stunning arrangement of cheese instead of or with your traditional cake. Harrogate

Romantic and symbolic, release of pair of white doves as you leave your ceremony. Coventry, Durham

For a retro theme, or just because you love them, book a candy banquet - jars filled with childhood sweets for guests to scoop and take home as bridal favours. Or arrange for a mobile traditional sweet shop to weight out sweets into pretty bags. Birmingham, Worcester

There are lots of great ways to make a difference by giving to a charity as part of your wedding plans, check out a great idea available nationwide for supporting children's cancer charity CLIC Sargent. Belfast, Derry

Take time out from the stresses of wedding planning to have fun together - book dance lessons so you can learn a dance routine to you favourite track that will impress guests for the 1st dance.