10 Ideas for Non-Traditional Weddings

Every girl is taught that her wedding is one of the biggest moments in her life. A long, flowy, white dress, a huge turn out, usually in a chapel of some sort. Most have been planning for this moment their entire lives, however, some have a different vision for their wedding. The current generation of newly weds tend to have a more personal, unique, and creative touch to their big day.

Though the days of white dressed brides, black suit grooms, and a collection of maids and men are not as popular as they used to be there are still plenty of these traditional weddings happening every year. This thought, has been eclipsed by mildly to extremely non traditional ceremonies. Pagan based weddings that take place in nature, and every theme you can think of. This is no longer the wedding of Vegas but a common occurrence in modern marriage.

1.Wiccan/Pagan Handfasting

Still a religious experience, handfastings have a whole different set of rules and culture that go with them. Very nature based they tend to include the elements (fire, air, water, earth) and use tools in the ceremony. After the rings are exchanged their hands are symbolically tied together as opposed to the traditional lighting of the candle. Towards the end of the ceremony there tends to be a jumping over the broomstick in many cases as well. These just about always take place outside and in a nature based area.

2.Themed

Any theme under the sun. Star Wars, Fairies, Halloween, Video Games, ect. These may be the more extreme versions as opposed to the rustic, underwater, or country theme for example but either way themes are here to stay. Combining interests of both the bride and the groom these weddings created added interest for everyone involved, (and make for some fun to edit photos I might add!)

I not to long ago photographed a wedding that was Star Wars themed. The groomsmen each had a sabor which they saluted with as the bride walked down the aisle. In their wedding party photos they included photos of fights as well as protection. The addition of the sabers added a fun and quirkiness to the ceremony as well as the rest of the party. 

3.Cake

The popular tiered wedding cakes that tower above the crowd have in many cases given rise to a less wasteful, more individual cake. Cupcakes and cakepops have become some of the most popular options, though we cant forget the iconic feeding of cake. In many cases when these are used the bride and groom tend to have a small symbolic cake if you will, that they can cut into for photos and use to smush into each others faces. 

4.Reception Food

Fish or Chicken? You know what makes things easier when trying to cater an event? Buffet style food. We all know just how reliable every one of our friends are, and we all have those few that we KNOW aren’t going to get back to us with an answer until the night before. Guess we’ll hope for the best right? Serving food buffet style has become increasingly popular due to the ease of feeding a big group (and really that's exactly what it’s made for so take advantage). 

5.Dresses

Though the long white dress still seems to be the most popular choice for brides, many other colors and styles have been brought into the mix. Any length and any color. Some don’t even hit the knees, others have a roaring 20s vibe, and still others decide to keep to the feel of their theme. Sleek, poofy, long, short, veil down the aisle, or just to your chin, maybe even a tiara. No matter what look you’re going for, anything goes and it’s your special day, why shouldn't it? 

6.DIY

DIY (Do it yourself) has begun to play a big part in many weddings. Not just because it’s cheaper, but because it gives a much more personal touch as opposed to the store bought decor. With the rustic, kind of boho, style being very popular right now, it just goes hand in hand. Etsy and pinterest seem to be the leading sites when it comes to wedding preparation. It’s amazing what simple hacks you can do yourself to set up a quality wedding that you and everyone attending will love. 

7.Pets in Weddings

When we’re using terms like ‘furbabies’ how can we expect to have a wedding without them? Many have began including, mainly dogs, but their pets into their wedding experience. I personally am 100% for it! However, this has created a whole new set of requirements for your wedding day. Let me tell you, worth it. There’s so many options for how you can incorporate them in the ceremony, pictures, ect. (I’ve pinned a few fixes on my pinterest as well as plan on making a blog post strictly for those of you that are looking into this for your wedding.) 

8.Bridesmaid/Groomsmen

It’s 2018, to many current couples this is an outdated idea. It’s becoming more and more common to just have friends on your side and cut out the gender requirements of maids and men. The only reason I can see in having the sexes separated is the attire. It does look better if there’s some kind of pattern or way of organizing the outfits. In one of the weddings I did this year the groom had a lady on his side and they simply dressed in a tux with the guys. They’d been friends for a long time and he wanted her at his side with the rest of his friends on his special day, even though she ‘traditionally’ shouldn’t be standing on that side. 

9.Guestbooks

This is something that has become as fun as you want it to be! I promise that every woman that has a Pinterest has a board for this, or at least a sub-board. The signing of the guestbook has begun to disappear in lue of a more creative solution that can be admired for more than what it is. How many times do you honestly think you’ll take that guestbook off the shelf and go through it? It’s a book of signatures. Now, I’ve seen everything from thumb prints with signatures on an art piece, to signing stones, leaving advice and signing that, even corks. The point is there is unlimited potential in this area. Be creative, look at Pinterest. Make it something you will look at daily to remind yourself of everyone you’ve shared this big moment in your life with. 

10. Bouquet

It’s still very customary to carry a bouquet of flowers down the aisle and toss it to the crowd of women at the end of the night. There are some new exciting ways of doing this as well though. Feathers, paper flowers, garden picked flowers? As long as you have something lovely to keep your hands busy during the ceremony. The toss at the reception is what really has been played with. Lock the bouquet up and see who has the correct key, throw something like a teddy bear as a stand in (something they can keep to remind them of what’s coming). 

Traditions are a huge part of life, how we celebrate Christmas or the 4th of July, maybe you have family get togethers that happen regularly. Traditions are what keep the past alive, however as time goes on things change. Evolving to make the tradition a little more personal or even something entirely new is natural. We tend to keep the idea of them alive, such as having a ceremony at a wedding, at the very least. It’s why we have weddings, because traditionally, it’s what our culture says you do, it’s what it’s always done. This being said, it’s a new year full of new rules, don’t be afraid to make this day one to remember, for you and your partner. After all, you only get married once… hopefully.