I’ve been getting more and more requests lately for ideas that are a little less than traditional. People are wanting to personalise their weddings more and more and I have to say I love it! So I have compiled a few ideas that will make your wedding less traditional and more you.
- A morning wedding. This is a fabulous idea if you are planning a beach wedding. How beautiful would it be to have a sunrise wedding? There is rarely any wind on the beach in the morning. The colours as the sun rises is far softer than the afternoon glare and it’s so peaceful, everything is so fresh. Then after the ceremony you could go out for a champagne breakfast!
Warning: This does not give you a lot of time to get hair and makeup done so probably best for a couple who are going for a more natural look. - A night time wedding. Imagine saying your vows under the romantic glow of candle light or overlooking the rise of a glorious full moon! I am an unashamed fairy light addict so a night time wedding for me is so exciting.
Warning: Photographers are not going to be keen on all the low light photography so you may need to shop around for someone with skills in this area. - Personalised vows. Write a love letter to each other. Make a list of all the things you love about each other. Make a promise. It can be sincere or silly. Whisper your vows to one another or write them on a contract and sign it or write things you want to let go of and burn it!
Warning: There is a minimum legal wording that must be said by the bride and groom and heard by their witnesses. But apart from that you can go to town. - Exchange something other than rings. Yes rings are traditional but they aren’t a legal requirement. You can exchange anything, jewellery, golf clubs, car/house keys, trophies, symbolic statues, a bag of flour, a plant, investment portfolios or you don’t have to exchange anything. You could just high five or have a special shake hands!
Warning: It’s hard to fit golf clubs in the best man’s jacket pocket. - Shake up the flow of the ceremony. Have a kiss at the beginning of the ceremony, calm the nerves and have a final snog before you’re hitched. Traditionally the groom arrives before the bride but why not rock up together? You could even have the photos done first. You will still get the grooms first look at the bride in her fancy frock and then after the ceremony you can get straight into the partying, photos done!
Warning: There may still be some family pics that need to be done but at least you won’t have to run off for a couple of hours after the ceremony. - Audience/Guest participation. Some people do it with a blessing of the rings ceremony. I recently had a couple request that all of their guests share a kiss with their loved one as they shared their first kiss as husband and wife at the end of the ceremony. It was beautiful! You could get the guests to sing along with the Brides entrance song or any other songs throughout the ceremony by handing out lyric sheets. Play a celebratory song after the ceremony and get the guests up to dance. Could you imagine a huge impromptu conga line or chicken dance?!?!!
Warning: Nope, can’t think of anything for this one. - Friend as the celebrant. You can have whoever you like preside over the wedding ceremony as long as you have an authorised celebrant on hand to oversee the legalities and sign the paperwork. So if you have a charismatic friend or a family member who isn’t afraid of getting up in front of your guests then why not? It makes for a far more personalise approach and certainly a memorable event.
Warning: Some people are not cut out for public speaking, just saying. - Elope. This one is pretty self-explanatory. Who needs the headache and the stress of guest lists and seating arrangements not to mention the expense of paying for all those guests to eat and drink their way through the evening? You’re looking at a house deposit right there! It can still be memorable and amazing without an audience. Some of the most moving and unique weddings I have done were with less than 10 people. It’s intimate and really special. It focuses on the most important element on the day – two people and a promise.
Warning: Some feathers may get ruffled as often others feel they have the right to share your day. It’s your call.
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