We all know about the something blue wedding tradition, but what are some of the more unconventional and overlooked traditions that will add a special sparkle to your wedding day? Maybe you’re not really into reciting vows or don’t have anyone in the family young enough to throw the flower petals, and that’s okay! There are plenty of options out there to personalize your wedding day. I’ve delved deep into the wedding archives to uncover the more elegant, meaningful, and visually stunning traditions that aren’t often included in wedding celebrations. Let’s take a look at some of them!
A Colorful Wedding Gown
Maybe white just isn’t your color and that’s perfectly fine. You can wear whatever color you want, it’s your wedding day! Choose a color that makes you happy and highlights your features. You can also choose a color that complements the venue or season. Designers are creating some gorgeous gowns in multicolored hues.
Walk Together Down the Aisle
This is a modern and romantic unconventional wedding idea for those who want to break the tradition of the father walking the bride. Since you’ll be walking down the path of life with your partner, why not start by walking down the aisle together? You can still have a private first look behind the scenes, then join arms as you start the wedding ceremony.
Sailboat Ceremony
Start your married life in motion with a sailboat ceremony. For couples that met in a coastal city it’ll have added meaning. This idea certainly requires a smaller guest list due to the space restrictions on a boat, but there’s no denying the scenic romance it will bring to the ceremony. Just make sure you choose a hairstyle that looks good flowing in the wind!
Ring Warming
A ring warming involves all your wedding guests and infuses the rings with extra meaning. Before you put the rings on each other’s finger, you pass them around for all you family and friends to hold first. They’ll offer their private hopes and dreams for your love story as they hold the rings for the moment. This positive exchange of energy will start off the marriage as a joyous combining of families.
Unconventional Wedding Idea: Flower Grandmas
By now you’ve probably seen the viral photos of the flower grandmas. And, personally, I’m obsessed with them! If your grandmas are well enough to walk down the aisle, it’s a great way to include them in the ceremony. The elderly often get left out of ceremonies, so this a lovely little gesture. Especially since some of our grandmas helped raise us!
Print a Wedding Newspaper
Some of your wedding guests may not know the full story of how you and your partner met. A wedding newspaper will give everyone all the details of your love story. You can include all the cute photos from your favorite dates and travel destination. You can even have guest columnists write funny stories about the two of you.
Release Butterflies or Doves
For a cinematic end to your wedding ceremony, perhaps you can release some butterflies or love doves into the sky. I like this because it has a high visual impact and it’s relatively cheap to hire a homing dove handler or butterfly caretaker. You might think this only works for outdoor ceremonies, but you can also step outside the venue and release them. Just keep your photographer informed about where everything will be happening!
Love Letter Ceremony
If you’d rather keep your vows to one another private, consider a love letter ceremony. This involves writing heartfelt notes to one another, sealing them up, and saving them to read at a future date. Choose a sealable container (some couples like to hammer shut a wooden box, though I prefer the elegance of a ribbon tied package) and then close it together. It’s a beautiful and symbolic gesture, hinting towards a long future together.
Alternative Desserts
A towering wedding cake may be the classic choice, but what if you simply don’t love cake? I think you should celebrate your love with your absolute favorite dessert! That could look like your grandma’s famous cherry pies, a macaron tower, or a an ice cream bar. Choosing a more unconventional wedding dessert will also result in more original photos of the day.
Last Dance
Sometimes a wedding celebration first dance can feel a little nerve-wracking with everyone watching you. I like the idea of a last dance because it offers an elegant solution to end the party without kicking people out. It’s also an intimate way to spend some last moments together with your partner, savoring the sweetness of the night’s events.
Unconventional Wedding Ideas
I believe your wedding should be tailored to you and your partner’s specific interests and preferences. There’s no reason you need to do what everyone else does just because that’s all you’ve seen. Ultimately, anything goes! It’s a celebration of your love, so choose the details that express your unique love.
