When you’re planning your dream wedding it’s only natural that you would want it to be the most beautiful and special event that ever existed in the history of weddings, but that can be a pretty hard feat to pull off when you have unique tastes.
What if you don’t like satin? What if the thoughts of heavily-iced cake and church ceremonies fill you with dread?Â
We feel you, and have brainstormed some of our favourite ideas for a truly unique wedding that will make it one-of-a-kind, just like your relationship (awww).
Incorporate any of these ideas into your day for a non-traditional boost you’ll always remember.
1. Update the bridesmaid bouquets
Flowers are a nice touch, but why not try something a bit different for your bridal party to carry up the aisle? Think colourful Chinese fans, or lanterns with tealights inside for a soft glow.
Photo: Intimate Weddings
2. Provide Polaroid cameras
This is a really fun way of getting to look back at the day through the eyes of your guests. Simply leave a Polaroid/Instant camera on each table with lots of film and have a string wall and clips for guests to put their favourite snaps onto during the night for your album.
3. Try a shareable cake style
Does anyone even care about cutting the cake anymore? The square fruit cake of old is long gone, with easily shared cakes all the rage now. Cupcakes have been done to death, but DONUTS are an idea everyone will enjoy.
Photo: 12th Blog
4. Ditch the heels
Lets’s be honest, your feet will be in bits after an hour in high heels. White trainers like Converse are easily customised with some ribbon and lace and will add some edge.
Photo: Etsy
5. Personalise your vows
If you don’t feel up to writing yours from scratch, there are lots of lovely vow examples online that you can make your own. Stick to something short and sweet like:
“I promise to always leave the lights on in the bathroom
I promise to mysteriously take three hours to make a simple meal
I promise to create a life for us of unexpected and strange adventures
I promise that I will love you”. No, you’re crying.
6. Use nature in unusual ways
Succulent place cards you say? Yes please. This is a cute and inexpensive way to let guests know where they’re sitting, and they can double as favours for them to take home.
Photo: Society Bride
7. Have the ceremony somewhere unexpected
Church weddings are all well and good, but with so many stunning buildings and outdoor spaces across Ireland, you have so many options for a really cool ceremony backdrop. Think old theatres or the Christchuch crypts.
8. Treat yo’self with a nacho bar
Everyone in the world LOVES nachos. So it makes perfect sense to have a self-serve nacho bar at your wedding for guests to help themselves to for late night snacking.Â
Photo: First Fruits Catering
9. Switch up the seating
Forget about boring rows of seats and a traditional Bride and Groom’s side. This pretty spiral seating idea means everyone gets a good view of all the ceremony action, and it looks great for pictures too. Of course, those tropical views ain’t bad either…
10. Get creative with your altar
If you’re in any way handy with DIY (or know someone who is), it’s surprisingly easy to make your own unique altar where you will say your vows. Try driftwood nailed together, flower garlands draped over a metal structure or a canopy style.
Photo: Wedding Mania
11. Don’t feel like you have to wear a dress
Princess ballgown not your thing? Us neither. There’s so many quirky styles for brides these days, and we would love to see more ladies rocking separates, a jumpsuit or even a power tux. Yaaaas.
12. Turn the wedding programme into confetti
This is a fun idea to make your wedding programme stand out, and your guests will have confetti on hand to toss after the ceremony. Simpy print the details on a clear envelope, fill with colourful confetti and seal!
Photo: Two Little Birds
13. Perform a knot-tying ceremony
Change things up during the ceremony and incorporate a fisherman’s knot into your day. It is known to be one of the simplest knots to tie, but it is also one of the strongest there is; it will not break, and will only become stronger when under pressure. Very cute symbolism.
Photo: Wedding Wire
14. Have music themed tables
If you’re obsessed with music (or even just appreciate how deadly old vinyl records look), then a nice idea is to theme your tables to different music genres and pop a record representing each one as a centerpiece.Â
Photo: Before The Big Day
15. Involve all your friends as ‘Groomspeople’
Most of us probably have a good mix of mates, that include guys and gals, so why do we usually only stick to the traditional ‘bridesmaids’ and ‘groomsmen’? If your best mate is a lad then he should 100% be involved in your bridal party. Equality y’know.
16. Send out edible invites
Wedding invitations are not only expensive, they can really all start to look the same after you’ve seen a few. We love this idea of having invitations that your guests will be delighted to receive in the form of chocolate bars with the details written on the label. Try here for Irish ones. YUM.
Photo:Planning Co.
17. Make the guestbook extra-special
We highly doubt there’s many couples who regularly flick through their guestbook to look at the signatures, so why not get your guests to sign something you will see all the time.Â
Whether its a sweet message on Jenga pieces, or this etched silver tray idea for cute memories every time you have brekkie in bed. Which hopefully will be very often in the honeymoon stage.
Photo: My Wedding
18. Get married by someone close to you
With so many more couples shying away from traditional Catholic ceremonies, a new trend in Ireland is to be married by a Humanist celebrant. The best part? You can ask someone who is really special to you, such as your best friend, to officiate your wedding. All they have to do is train in a short course in becoming a celebrant.
Just remember you will still need to legalise your marriage at the registry office!
We Sat Down For An AMA This Week With Irish Lifestyle And Fitness Legend, Rob Lipsett…
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