Personalizing Your Wedding: Tips For A Unique Celebration

Planning a wedding can be a daunting task, and it's easy to lose sight of what makes the occasion unique: the couple. While it may seem like every wedding has the same decorations, food, and entertainment, there are endless ways to add personal touches that reflect the couple's interests, personalities, and love story. From the invitations to the food and drinks, here are some ideas to make your wedding more personal.

- Invitations & Paper Goods: Incorporate a passport theme if you love to travel, or add a custom monogram or motif that represents you as a couple.

- Welcome Gifts: Provide out-of-town guests with a welcome bag or box filled with your favorite snacks and beverages.

- Weekend Itinerary: If you're having a destination wedding, consider providing an itinerary of activities and places to visit that you enjoy.

- Honour Late Loved Ones: Include a table with photos or other meaningful items that represent those who have passed away.

- Ceremony: Ensure the ceremony reflects both of your beliefs and incorporates traditions that are important to you.

- Ceremony Programs: Share more details about your relationship and love story in the ceremony program.

- Aisle Runner: Have a custom aisle runner featuring your monogram or a quote that is special to you.

- Food & Drinks: Serve your favourite foods or special dishes that hold a memorable place in your heart. Offer signature cocktails that you and your partner love or that hold a special meaning.

- Escort Cards: Get creative with escort cards by incorporating personal photos or having an illustrator create custom portraits of each guest.

- Wedding Favours: Share your famous limoncello recipe or homemade cookies instead of traditional favours that may end up in junk drawers.

- Include Your Pets: Name a cocktail after your furry friend or incorporate their drawing in signage or paper goods, even if they can't be there in person.

- Special Dances: Include your children or extended family members in your first dance or other special dances.

- Personalized Notes: Write handwritten notes to your guests, thanking them for being a part of your special day.

- Venue & Location: Choose a venue or location that holds a special meaning, such as the city where you first met or a hotel you visited during your courtship.

- Unconventional Colours: Embrace unique colours in your wedding palette that reflect your personality as a couple.

- Custom Illustrations: Include custom illustrations of the two of you or your wedding venue in your invitation suite.

- Bouquet Ribbon: Add a quote or your wedding date calligraphed onto your bouquet ribbon for a subtle, elegant touch.

- Vow Booklets: Personalize your vow booklets with your names and the date, and consider binding them with silk ribbons in your wedding colours.

- Culture: Embrace the culture of your wedding location or your own heritage through entertainment, local customs, or food and drink choices.

- Props: Use props that showcase the setting of your wedding, such as a classic car for transportation or mirrored aisle-ways for a unique touch.

- Customized Fashion: Embroider your new last name or other personalized details on a denim or leather jacket.

- Hobby-Themed Portraits: Incorporate your biggest shared hobby into your wedding portraits, whether it's travelling, adventuring, or something else.

- Meaningful Gifts: Gift your guests something meaningful and unique to the wedding location, such as local olive oil or wine.

- Reception Place Cards: Have your guests' names calligraphed onto reception place cards for a luxurious touch.

- Monogram Wax Seal: Add a monogram wax seal to your reception stationery or invitation suite for an elegant way to showcase your new initials.

- Embroidered Napkins: Embroider your monogram or new initials onto napkins for a sophisticated and sentimental touch that your guests can take home.

- Custom Tablecloths & Fabrics: Source or create custom tablecloths and fabrics in your wedding colours or complimentary shades, perhaps with your initials or wedding date embroidered on them.

- Personalized Chair Covers: Boldly proclaim your newlywed status with embroidered chair covers featuring your names, initials, or wedding date.

Honour late loved ones

Honouring late loved ones at a wedding is a touching way to make the day more personal and meaningful. Here are some ideas to incorporate remembrance into your special day:

Memory Table or Wall

Set up a memory table or wall at the reception, featuring photographs of those who have passed. You could frame the photos and place them on a shelf or table, perhaps alongside some sentimental objects or flowers that were special to the person. This creates a shrine-like space where they will be with you in spirit.

Honour a Hobby or Passion

If your late loved one had a favourite hobby or passion, you could incorporate this into the day. For example, if they loved horses, you could arrive on horseback, or if they were an avid reader, you could use books as centrepieces.

Special Songs or Readings

During the ceremony, you could include a song or reading that was special to the person you are honouring. This could be a unique way to pay tribute and ensure their presence is felt.

Ribbons and Embellishments

You could add ribbons with special messages or embellishments to your wedding bouquet. These could include quotes, advice, or messages from the person you are remembering.

Flowers and Herbs

Including their favourite flowers or herbs is a subtle yet meaningful way to honour someone. You could place these on tables or use them as part of your bouquet.

Notes to Guests

Consider tucking notes into your guests' napkins, asking them to take a private moment to think of your loved one. This is a beautiful way to ensure they are remembered and feel included in the day.

Customise ceremony programs

Customising ceremony programs is a great way to make your wedding more personal. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Include Your Love Story

Share more details about your relationship in the ceremony program. You can include how you met, meaningful places, inside jokes, or even a timeline of your relationship. This will give your guests a glimpse into your unique love story and make them feel more connected to your special day.

Add a Personal Quote or Poem

Is there a quote or poem that holds a special meaning for you and your partner? Include it in the ceremony program to add a touch of personality and sentiment. It could be something that reflects your relationship, your values, or simply something that resonates with both of you.

Feature Monograms or Illustrations

Monograms are a classic way to personalise your wedding. Consider adding your monogram or joint initials to the ceremony programs. You can also include custom illustrations of the two of you, perhaps showcasing your hobbies or favourite activities. This will make your programs truly one-of-a-kind.

Match Your Wedding Theme

If you have a specific wedding theme or colour palette, incorporate it into the design of your ceremony programs. This will create a cohesive look and feel to your wedding, making it more memorable and unique.

Share Your Favourite Things

Use the ceremony program to showcase your favourite things as a couple. This could be your favourite foods, drinks, music, or even your pets. Your guests will enjoy learning more about what makes you happy and what brings you together.

Remember, there are no rules when it comes to personalising your wedding. Get creative, think outside the box, and don't be afraid to incorporate elements that reflect your relationship and personalities. Your guests will appreciate the thoughtful touches that make your wedding truly yours.

Serve your favourite foods

Food is a fantastic way to personalise your wedding and make it memorable for your guests. It's an opportunity to share your favourite foods and flavours with your loved ones, and to give them a glimpse into your life as a life as a couple.

If you and your partner have a favourite restaurant, consider asking the chef to cater your wedding. Or, if you have a signature dish that you love to cook together, serve that! Perhaps you have a Sunday night pasta-making ritual, or a Friday date night spot that serves amazing crab cakes. You could even recreate a memorable dish you shared while celebrating your engagement.

If you're foodies, design a gourmet menu inspired by Michelin-starred meals. Or, if you're proud of your heritage, celebrate with a fusion menu that combines both of your backgrounds. You could also serve dishes that hold a deeper significance, such as the Barbie wedding cake that recreates the cake the bride's parents had at their wedding decades ago.

For a fun twist, you could also serve your guests' favourite foods. Ask each guest to name their favourite dish when they RSVP, and serve those dishes at the wedding. It will be a delightful surprise for them, and a great conversation starter at the tables.

Don't forget to include your favourite drinks, too! Signature cocktails are a great way to add a personal touch to your wedding. Serve a drink that holds a special memory, like the cocktail you shared on your first date, or a drink that's linked to your college days. You could even name a cocktail after your pet!

Create a unique entrance

Creating a unique entrance is a great way to make your wedding more personal. Here are some ideas to make a grand entrance and wow your guests:

Creative Transport

Arrive in style by opting for a unique mode of transport. If you're getting married outdoors, make an entrance by arriving in a horse-drawn carriage or even on horseback! For a city wedding, why not arrive in a vintage car or, for a more modern twist, an electric car? If you're getting married near water, consider arriving by boat.

Dramatic Effects

Add some drama to your entrance with special effects. Fireworks are a spectacular way to announce your arrival, especially if your wedding is in the evening. Alternatively, you could have a confetti cannon or indoor sparklers to create a memorable moment.

Musical Entrance

Music is a great way to personalise your entrance. You could walk in to your favourite song, or something that has a special meaning to you both. If you have a live band, they could play a specific tune to announce your arrival. Or, for a fun twist, you could have a brass band or mariachi band play as you enter.

Dance Your Way In

Why not choreograph a special dance for your entrance? You could perform a fun, upbeat routine with your partner, or even include your wedding party in a flash mob-style entrance. For a more traditional take, you could perform a cultural dance that honours your heritage.

Pet Escort

If your furry friend is part of the wedding party, why not have them escort you down the aisle? You could even dress them up for the occasion! If your pet isn't able to be there, you could include them in other ways, such as having an illustration of them on your escort cards or including their name or illustration on your cocktail napkins.

Unique Props

Using unique props is a fun way to make your entrance stand out. You could have a prop that showcases the setting, such as a classic car for an Italian wedding or a pair of skis for a winter wedding. Alternatively, you could use props that symbolise your hobbies or interests, such as a pair of vintage suitcases for a travel-themed wedding.

There are endless ways to make your wedding entrance unique and personal. By choosing something that reflects your personality and style, you'll be sure to create a memorable moment for you and your guests.

Add a personal touch to your attire

Adding a personal touch to your attire is a great way to showcase your personality on your wedding day. Here are some ideas to make your wedding attire more personal:

• Embroidered Details: Consider adding embroidered details to your wedding dress or suit. This could include your names, initials, wedding date, or a meaningful quote. You can also opt for a denim or leather jacket with your new last name embroidered on it, which can double as a prop for your wedding portraits.
• Custom Illustrations: Work with an artist to create custom illustrations of you and your partner for your invitation suite or even your wedding cake topper. This is a unique way to showcase your personality and set the tone for your wedding.
• Monogrammed Accessories: Monograms are a classic way to personalize your wedding attire. Add a monogram to your accessories, such as a clutch, cufflinks, or a handkerchief. It's an elegant touch that your guests will surely notice.
• Cultural Influence: If you have a specific cultural background or heritage, incorporate it into your attire. This could be through specific fabrics, colours, or traditional garments. For example, if you have a Chinese background, you could incorporate silk brocade with intricate embroidery or choose a qipao-inspired dress.
• Meaningful Jewellery: Wear jewellery that holds a special meaning for you. It could be a family heirloom, such as your grandmother's necklace, or a piece of jewellery that your partner gave you on a significant occasion. It will not only add a personal touch but also make you feel emotionally connected to your loved ones.
• Something Old, Something New: Incorporate something old into your wedding attire to add a touch of sentimentality. It could be an antique piece of jewellery, a vintage veil, or even a refurbished dress. Combining something old with something new is a beautiful way to honour your family's history while creating new memories.

Frequently asked questions