Personalizing Your Wedding: Tips For A Unique Celebration

Planning a wedding can be a daunting task, and it's natural to want to make the day feel unique and special. While it's easy to get carried away with trendy ideas, it's important to remember that your wedding is a celebration of your love story, and there are many ways to personalise the day to reflect your relationship. From the invitations to the decor, here are some ideas to make your wedding truly yours.

- Invitations and Stationery: Opt for unique invitations that showcase your personality as a couple. If you love travelling, consider passport-style invitations, or choose a design that reflects your shared hobbies or interests.

- Venue and Setting: Select a venue that speaks to your style. Whether it's a quirky pub, a gothic castle, or even a cave, choosing an unexpected location can make your wedding stand out.

- Rings and Outfits: Consider creating your own wedding rings or having a bespoke outfit made. These choices will be with you long after the wedding and can be a constant reminder of your special day.

- Flowers and Bouquets: Pick flowers that hold a special meaning for you. Perhaps choose flowers that remind you of your grandparents' garden or a beautiful rose bush from your childhood home. You could also create a wildflower bouquet by picking blooms from your own garden.

- Food and Drinks: Serve your favourite foods and drinks to your guests. Recreate a memorable meal from your travels or a special dish from your engagement celebration. You could even include a special dessert that holds a deep significance for you.

- Music and Entertainment: Choose music and entertainment that reflect your personalities and cultural backgrounds. Whether it's a live band, a choreographed first dance, or a unique playlist, your choices will set the tone for the day.

- Rituals and Vows: Include unique rituals or symbolic unity ceremonies, such as a handfasting, wine ceremony, or sand ceremony. Writing your own vows is also a beautiful way to add a personal touch to the ceremony.

- Decor and Details: Add monograms, initials, or meaningful quotes to your decor. From napkins to dance floors, there are numerous ways to incorporate personalised details that will surprise and delight your guests.

- Guest Involvement: Engage your guests with interactive elements, such as a photo booth, a live painter, or a unique guest book. You could even ask guests to suggest songs for a personalised playlist or contribute to a slideshow or video.

Send personalised save-the-date cards

Sending personalised save-the-date cards is a great way to give your guests a glimpse into the style and look of your wedding. It is the perfect opportunity to express yourself and your partner's personality and set the tone for your big day. Here are some ideas to make your save-the-date cards unique and memorable:

• Choose a creative design: Opt for a design that suits your personality and interests. For example, if you and your partner love travelling, consider a vintage postcard or ticket-style save-the-date. Or, if you're more low-key, a simple and elegant design might be more your style. You can also choose from a variety of themes, such as rustic, bohemian, or vintage.
• Add a personal touch: Include a favourite photo of you and your partner, or a fun, personal message like "We can't wait to celebrate with you!". You can also add your engagement photo or a striking design element that reflects your wedding theme.
• Customise the wording: Make it fun and creative! Instead of a traditional message, try something like "Save our date!" or "Mark your calendars!". You can also include a short poem or a meaningful quote that represents your relationship.
• Play with colours and fonts: Experiment with different colour schemes and fonts to match your wedding aesthetic. Choose colours that complement each other and reflect the season or your wedding theme. You can also add foil or embossed details for a luxurious touch.
• Provide essential information: While save-the-date cards don't need to include all the wedding details, it's important to provide the basics. Include your names, the date of the wedding, and the city or state where the ceremony will take place. If you have a wedding website, be sure to include the URL so guests can find more information.
• Consider paperless options: Online save-the-date cards are a modern and eco-friendly alternative to traditional paper cards. You can send them via email, text, or shareable link, and they still allow for customisation and personalisation. This option also ensures timely delivery, so your guests receive the notification without any postal delays.

Remember, save-the-date cards should be sent out between four to six months before the wedding, or even earlier for destination weddings. So, have fun with the process, and don't be afraid to let your creativity shine through!

Choose invitations that reflect your interests

Wedding invitations are the first element your friends and family will see, so it's important to choose a design that reflects your interests and sets the tone for your celebration. Here are some ideas to help you create invitations that truly represent you and your partner:

Acrylic Invites

Consider printing your wedding details on a clear or coloured piece of acrylic. This unique approach will allow your guests to display the invitation as a work of art in their homes until the wedding day arrives.

Illustrated Minibook

If you're planning a full wedding weekend, send out a creatively illustrated minibook to brief your guests on all the details. The design on the front will grab their attention, and the contents will get them excited about the festivities to come.

Eco-Friendly Invitations

Choose invitations printed on seed-infused biodegradable paper. Your guests can plant the invitations in their yards after responding, adding a unique and eco-friendly touch to your wedding.

Destination Wedding Theme

If you're planning a destination wedding, lean into the travel aspect with your invitations. You can use a cute passport design to provide your guests with all the necessary information, such as the date, time, and travel details.

Creative Colours and Shapes

Ditch the traditional rectangular card and experiment with fun shapes, such as circles, arches, or abstract cut-outs. You can also opt for colourful invitations with playful font colours or hand-painted artwork.

Personalised Illustrations

Include illustrations that represent you as a couple, such as a drawing of the two of you, a map of the wedding location, your furry friend, or your favourite flowers. These personalised touches will make your invitations extra special.

Vellum Paper

Vellum paper adds a unique touch to your invitations without the need for bright colours or bold patterns. It gives your invites a modern and laid-back feel while maintaining a sense of elegance.

Rustic Theme

For a rustic-themed wedding, consider invitations with wood grain and lace designs. These invitations will stand out and give your guests a glimpse of the natural, outdoorsy theme of your wedding.

All-in-One Design

Opt for an inventive all-in-one invitation design that contains the envelope, invitation, and RSVP card, all folded up into one neat package. Add an artistic design or unique pattern to make it even more special.

Monogrammed Coasters

Send your guests a cute coaster set that neatly showcases your wedding details. This unexpected format will be a fun surprise, and your guests will be able to use the coasters long after they've sent in their RSVPs.

Remember, your wedding invitations should reflect your interests and personalities. Whether you choose to focus on colours, shapes, illustrations, or unique materials, make sure your invitations set the right tone for your celebration.

Create your own wedding rings

Creating your own wedding rings is a romantic way to personalise your wedding. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you craft your own wedding rings:

Choose the Metal

Firstly, decide on the type of metal you want for your rings. Popular choices include platinum, gold (in various colours), and silver. Consider any metal allergies and the durability of the metal.

Select the Diamonds or Gemstones

Next, choose the stones you want to include in your rings. You can opt for traditional diamonds or go for colourful gemstones. Consider the cut, colour, clarity, and carat weight of the stones.

Design the Setting

Decide on the setting style for your rings. Will you go for a simple solitaire or a more intricate pavé or halo setting? You can also choose from various shapes, such as round, oval, or cushion.

Find a Jeweller or Create It Yourself

If you have the skills and access to the right tools, you can make the rings yourself. Otherwise, find a jeweller who can bring your vision to life. Work closely with them to ensure your rings are crafted to your specifications.

Finalise the Details

Once the rings are made, it's time for the finishing touches. This includes sanding, polishing, and any engravings you may want to add, such as your wedding date or a romantic message.

Creating your own wedding rings can be a rewarding experience and will result in unique bands that symbolise your love and commitment. It's a beautiful way to personalise your wedding and create lasting memories.

Pick a quirky venue

If stately homes and barns aren't your thing, there are plenty of quirky wedding venues to choose from that will suit your personal style. From pubs to gothic castles and even caves, there's no shortage of interesting options to make your wedding unique and memorable.

• A library: If you and your partner love spending time at a particular library, why not enquire if they host weddings? You can exchange vows surrounded by books and create a truly scholarly atmosphere.
• A museum: Consider a natural history or art museum for your wedding. Greet your guests among dinosaur displays or impressive artworks, then lead them to a unique reception space within the museum.
• A forest: If you love nature, why not get married in a magical forest setting? TreeHouse Point in Issaquah, Washington, offers a collection of tree houses wrapped in towering pines and twinkling lights for a storybook-worthy wedding.
• An abandoned building: Haiku Mill in Hawaii provides a unique setting for a wedding, with old ruins and natural beauty. The sugar mill, abandoned in 1879, has been preserved and reimagined as a wedding venue, with a glass ceiling, dripping flowers, and regal statues.
• A national park: Red Earth Venue in Moab, Utah, is surrounded by red rock cliffs and offers a remote and breathtaking location for a wedding.
• A summer camp: Cedar Lakes Estate in Port Jervis, New York, is a summer camp turned wedding venue. It offers both indoor and outdoor spaces with views of tree-lined lakes, rolling hills, and spectacular mountains.
• A greenhouse: The Jewel Box in St. Louis is a gorgeous art deco greenhouse that underwent a $3.5 million renovation. It features permanent floral displays, seasonal decor, tropical plants, and dazzling water features, creating a unique and natural setting for a wedding.
• A parking garage: The 1111 Lincoln Road Parking Garage in Miami Beach, Florida, is not your average parking garage. Designed by the Swiss architectural firm Herzog & de Meuron, it offers sweeping views of South Beach and a creative, urban setting for a wedding.

No matter what kind of quirky venue you choose, picking a unique location is a great way to make your wedding personal and memorable.

Create a wildflower bouquet

A wildflower bouquet is a whimsical, dreamy alternative to a traditional bridal bouquet. It's a great way to add a personal touch to your wedding, especially if you're going for a natural, bohemian, country, or garden theme. Here are some tips on how to create a wildflower bouquet for your special day:

Choosing the Right Wildflowers

Wildflower bouquets typically include a variety of blooms, such as irises, wallflowers, sunflowers, lilies, dahlias, garden phlox, cosmos, asters, and many more. You can also add grasses, grains, and herbs like wheat, sprigs of rosemary, or pampas grass for extra texture and vibrancy. If you have a favourite flower that isn't a wildflower, you can include it as your 'hero' flower.

Creating the Bouquet

• Visit your local farmer's market or a flower shop to gather your wildflowers and any other elements you want to include. You can either buy pre-made bouquets or choose individual flowers to create your own arrangement.
• Remove any leaves or dead buds from the bottom half of the stems and separate them by type.
• Use your largest blossoms as the base of your bouquet. Hold the stems tightly together as you build your arrangement.
• Once your base is created, start adding the smaller buds around it, filling in the gaps as you go.
• When you're happy with the overall shape, add in your fillers, placing them on the outside or inside of your bouquet according to your preference.
• Wrap floral tape around the stems, starting about 2 inches down from the buds, and wrap tightly, overlapping slightly as you work your way down.
• Cut the excess stems so that they are all the same length.
• Take a ribbon or burlap and wrap it tightly around the floral tape, covering it completely. Secure the wrapping with a pin. You can also add extras like a twine bow or a family heirloom pin for a special touch.

Benefits of a Wildflower Bouquet

Creating your own wildflower bouquet can be a fun DIY project, and it's also a budget-friendly option. It allows you to have an affordable, beautiful, and on-trend bouquet. You can even use the leftover flowers to create boutonnieres or other decorations.

Frequently asked questions