A traditional wedding day features in the dreams of many women, but for some people, it can feel a little bit prescribed or prosaic. While you probably find the tradition of it beautiful and romantic, it’s totally normal to want to inject a bit of personality and history into the big day. Many people choose to keep the general form of the wedding traditional and bring in more modern aspects to suit their personal tastes and needs. For example, they might not choose to get married in the church, hire a wedding car, or even wear a white dress. Remember that it’s your big day, and marriage traditions are only there to provide you with guidelines when you make your plans – bringing your own personality and interests in can make the day far more intimate, romantic, and even fun. Here are some things you could try to bring some individuality to your ceremony.
Mr. & Mrs. Wedding Banner
Start with your bachelorette party
The wedding starts before the big day, so make sure you’re not getting carried along in decisions made by other people – your bachelorette party is the final celebration of “singledom ” and it has to represent everything that has been formative in your life. Rather than follow the usual formula of a meal and a night out clubbing, bring your own, personal interests into the planning process. Are you a fan of cocktails? Why not book yourself and the girls onto a cocktail making masterclass? If you’re a bit more outdoorsy, a day of outdoor adventure followed by a night in the club might be more your cup of tea. It’s your party, make it about you.
Short wedding dress with long sleeves
What does your dress say?
More and more women are abandoning the traditional, floor-length white wedding dress for more modern styles. Some are opting for shorter dresses – far better for dancing in after all. Some do not feel that the white dress suits them, or is appropriate, especially ladies who choose to get married a little bit older. Pastel colored wedding dresses are starting to take their place, and they still look just as stunning – in fact, in Ireland it’s normal to get married in pale blue, which is their traditional color for purity. If you’re keen on the traditional dress, go for it, but don’t allow yourself to be restricted by tradition if you’d prefer to be a bit different.
Red and Green Party Wear Silk Saree
Bring in your heritage
The exciting thing about marriage is that two people come together, bringing their different histories and heritage together too. This could be as little as two different states, but it could be as much as different continents and cultures. Allowing your heritages to shine through on the day is beautifully symbolic of two people and their cultures coming together. So if he is of Scottish descendants, get him and his groomsmen in Kilts. If you’re of Indian descent, allow elements of that to come into your food and dress choices. The eclectic meeting of cultures can create a beautiful and interesting day for everyone.
Puppy flower crown
Get your pet in on the action
If you’ve got a family pet, it can be upsetting to think of them missing out on their big day. If the venue will allow it, and you trust your beloved pet not to ruin your dress, the cake, or the wedding photos, why not let them get involved? You could have them walk down the aisle with you, carry the rings, or just be there in the photos. It’s a really cute way of making sure all the family is in on your big day, even the furry members.
Let the venue speak for you
If you’re not keen on the traditional church venue, or you’d prefer somewhere with a bit of intrigue for the reception, why not veer from the norm? Teepees, specialist caves, and even haunted mansions all offer fun venues which the guests won’t forget in a hurry. If you think the traditional type venues don’t properly represent you and your future husband, look around for something a bit different – everyone will thank you for it.
Travel in style
The wedding car is the common form of transport, with some brides choosing to arrive by horse-drawn carriage if they’re feeling particularly fairy tale. But why not go even further – you don’t need to arrive by traditional means at all. If you’re a horse lover, arriving on horseback is a beautiful way to enter. If you’re a bike lover, come in on the back of a bike, or in the sidecar as your maid of honor drives. Use your entrance to embrace your own personality, and give the guests a bit of a giggle too, if that’s your sort of thing.
Galvanized Bucket
Get creative with the cuisine
The traditional three-course meal can be a really expensive, and sometimes rather boring addition to the wedding reception. If you’re both lovers of a particular cuisine, your heritage is from a country famous for its amazing food, or you just fancy something a bit different, why not branch out with the catering? You could go for a full on Texas barbecue, a good old Louisiana crawfish boil, a delicious Indian buffet, or absolutely anything else. All you have to do is ensure your venue doesn’t mind you drafting in a different caterer.
Personalized Wedding Ring Box
Make your rings together
You’ll wear your rings for the rest of time, so you want them to be special to you. Couples who forge their own wedding rings are becoming more common, and it’s not difficult to see why. When you’ve put your own hard work into the rings, they’re completely unique, just like the two of you, and they’re full of the love you share for each other. Don’t worry; you don’t have to learn the skill of metal forging – many artisan jewelers offer this service for engaged couples. You can even have them engraved with a tiny quote, the date of your wedding, or the day of your first date – is there anything cuter and more romantic?
Most of all, make it about the two of you, not the expectations of family and other guests, and just enjoy your beautiful day.
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