Gone are the days when weddings had to follow a cookie-cutter script! Church ceremony, white dress, even bridal party, and a classy three-tier cake - they paint the picture of the picture-perfect traditional wedding day.
And if you LOVE a classic, elegant, traditional wedding - amazing! But, if that sounds less like your dream and more like a scene from someone else’s Pinterest board, then good news: your wedding can look however you want it to. And today, I’m sharing some of my favourite ways that clients have gone off-script with their weddings and added their own unique take on things. So, whether you’re planning something small and intimate, big and bold, or completely off-the-wall - here’s your guide to making a non-traditional wedding feel totally and unapologetically ‘you’.
Why go non-traditional?
Maybe it’s about authenticity. Maybe it’s about budget. Maybe you just don’t want to wear white and walk down an aisle. Whatever your reason, planning a non-traditional wedding is about making choices that reflect your personality, your relationship, and what matters most to you both. And the beauty of it is: there are no rules.
Unique wedding ceremony ideas
Let’s start at the beginning: the ceremony. A traditional wedding ceremony would typically be held in a church, an indoor space or a wedding venue, with a marriage celebrant. But if you’re wanting to break away from tradition, a few ways you can do that include:
Choose a meaningful location: Say your vows in your backyard, at your favourite beach, at the top of a hill, or in a local art gallery. If it means something to you, it’s the perfect place.
Write your own vows: Nothing says personal like speaking from the heart. Even if you're not a wordsmith, a few genuine words will mean more than any traditional script (and ideally, steer clear of ChatGPT!)
Walk in (or out) however you want: Walk in together. Walk in with your dog. Dance your way down the aisle. You do you!
Don’t stress about an uneven bridal party: More bridesmaids than groomsmen? Breaking away from the traditional bride and groom sides, and going for big mixed group of your mates by your side instead? Go for it! Need more convincing? Check out my blog post on embracing uneven bridal parties.
Break the Dress Code Rules
Who says you have to wear white? Who says you even have to wear a dress?
Wear something that feels like you: Whether that’s a black jumpsuit, a floral suit, a rainbow skirt, a bright red frock or a dress with sneakers – wear what makes you feel incredible.
Let your wedding party choose their outfits: Give them a colour palette or a vibe and let them wear something they love. Mismatched wedding parties? A total vibe.
Celebrate your own way at the reception
The reception is where you can really let loose with non-traditional choices.
Food trucks or pizza? Go for it: Forget the formal three-course meal. If you’re all about tacos, do tacos. If you want fish and chips on the beach, go wild. I recently heard about an all-you-can-eat pasta buffet being served at 9pm to get the boozy guests fed up with something to soak up the alcohol.
Ditch the seating chart: Let people mingle and move. Create chill zones with couches or picnic rugs. Forgo the classic sit-down reception and go cocktail-style instead, with canapes and drinks.
Games, karaoke, or a dance battle: If you want your day to feel like the ultimate party, include the things you love doing together. Whatever that looks like.
Photos that really reflect you
Your wedding photos should feel like you too – not stiff and staged. A few ways to break away from traditional wedding photos might be:
Include places that mean something: Maybe it’s the spot where you had your first date, or the beach you walk your dog on every Sunday. I’m is all about finding photo locations that reflect your story.
Add your pets: Want your dog in the wedding photos? Your cat? Your pet llama? Say no more. I’ve got you covered.
Fun little details that break away from tradition
Alternative guestbooks: Try a photo guestbook, a recording booth, or have guests sign a favourite record or board game. Or have everyone film a message to the couple and pop together a wee wedding video montage. Fun! (especially once everyone has had a few wines - the advice and well-wishes can get WILD)
Different cake-toppers: Don’t want a classic cake topper? Snap a polaroid of the two of you and pop it on top of the cake in a little holder. Voila! Custom cake topper!
Themed decor: Love vintage vibes? Obsessed with sci-fi? Incorporate it. There are no wrong answers here. Don’t stress about trends and traditions - bring in your inner nerd!
At the end of the day, your wedding is a celebration of your love story. Whether that means hiking up a hill in gumboots, getting married in your favourite pub, or dancing barefoot under the stars, make it yours. Trust your gut.
