Planning a Nontraditional Wedding

 

Photo: Bella Bridesmaids Chicago | Christy Johnston Speers

Chances are, if you’re reading this, you want your big day to be slightly different from all the weddings you’ve attended.

And we’re totally here for it!

Thinking about skipping the white dress in favor of a colorful gown?

Considering throwing a cocktail reception rather than having a buffet or sit-down dinner?

Curious if you should host your nuptials in an art gallery instead of a church?

There are all sorts of ways to throw a non-traditional wedding.

Looking for ideas on how to have a one-of-a-kind wedding or simply throw in a unique wedding twist? Well, here’s our guide to planning a non-traditional wedding.

7 Ways To Break Wedding Tradition

 

You can make your wedding day one of a kind in many ways.

Here are a few non-traditional wedding ideas to take your entire day and turn it on its head:

1. Change Up Your Wedding Ceremony

 

Photo: Bella Bridesmaids | John Cain

Wedding ceremonies are pretty straightforward. You walk down the aisle, say your vows, and then kiss. But you can make yours less traditional just by changing an element or two.

Instead of having relatives read excerpts from a religious text, have them read a passage from a book or a movie that holds special meaning for the two of you.

The “moon of my life” lines from Game of Thrones, anything Noah said to Allie in The Notebook, or lyrics from your favorite band are all fun options. You could even work some of your favorite quotes into your wedding vows.

Give Mom and Dad different roles to play.

Have both the bride’s and the groom’s parents give them away, or let each family accept the other person instead.

Get your dogs and cats involved in your special day as ring bearers, flower girls, or even as your best man or maid of honor.

Get creative with your unity ceremony. Rather than lighting a candle, light a bonfire or pop a bottle of champagne and toast.

2. Change Up the Order of Events

 

It’s not uncommon for modern couples to throw micro weddings with a few close family members and friends rather than a guest list of 100 or more.

But that doesn’t mean you still can’t have the big celebration.

To have the best of both worlds, some couples are choosing to hold their ceremony on a different day from their reception. In some cases, they’re inviting everyone, and in others, they’re limiting the guest list to a micro-sized group.

Keep in mind that if you’re having lots of out-of-town guests, it’s best to hold the reception the day after the ceremony.

Another option is to kick off the celebration with a cocktail hour and hold the ceremony between drinks and dinner service. With this timeline, you can do your  “first look” early and take photos with the wedding party. Then, you’ll head straight to cocktail hour to get the party started.

After guests have had a chance to mingle and unwind, hold a brief ceremony and start dinner service immediately afterward.

You can also change up the order of things. Say your nuptials at night under the stars and host a wedding reception brunch at your favorite restaurant the next morning.

3. Have a Different Kind of Reception

 

Photo: Bella Bridesmaids | John Cain

You don’t have to throw a party in a ballroom after a cocktail hour if you don’t want to.

Take an unconventional, offbeat approach to your reception and leave your friends and family talking about it for years.

If you want something fun for all ages, take your guests bowling, mini-golfing, or to an amusement park.

Want your reception to be sophisticated but unexpected?

Turn it into a wine tasting with charcuterie boards aplenty.

If you do decide to have a “traditional” reception, consider skipping some of the traditional elements, like the bouquet toss and the endless speeches.

Some couples are choosing to have their best man, maid of honor, and other esteemed guests give speeches at the rehearsal dinner. That way, there’s more time for dining and dancing at the reception.

You might also consider turning the cake-cutting ceremony into a private moment. The traditional cutting of the cake at the end of a reception can be a special moment, but it can also pause the flow of the reception.

4. Make It a Surprise Wedding

 

There’s nothing more unexpected than a surprise wedding.

Yes, it might shock your best friends, close family members, and parents, but you can pull it off if you’re good at keeping a secret.

Secretly hire an officiant, then invite your wedding guests to “celebrate your engagement.” Once all of your loved ones are there, pretend like you’re going to give a welcome speech and then bring out the officiant.

In an instant, your engagement party will become an unconventional wedding celebration.

Just imagine the looks on their faces when you say, “Surprise! We’re getting married right now!”

5. Live-Stream Your Wedding

 

While plenty of couples have live-streamed their weddings in recent years, it’s still a pretty non-traditional way to celebrate.

But it’s also a practical solution if you’re planning a destination wedding that some guests can’t attend. It’s also a smart option if you want to keep your reception small and intimate but still have lots of people see you say “I do!”

6. Extend the Celebration

 

Photo: Bella Bridesmaids Charleston | Shelby Beckler

It’s becoming more common to extend the timeline of the big day. But it’s still considered non-traditional to have a wedding that runs past the typical 6-7-hour mark.

Turn your wedding day into a full wedding weekend with:

• •  A welcome party on the first night
• •  The ceremony and reception the following day
• •  A post-wedding breakfast or brunch the following morning

Want to keep the celebration to a one-day event? Plan an after-party with specialty cocktails and late-night snacks so guests can dance and party into the wee hours.

7. Elope

 

An elopement is the original way to hold a non-traditional wedding ceremony. And for some couples, it’s exactly the type of wedding they want.

If you and your beloved are feeling it, get married.

Drop by a courthouse. Head to a drive-thru Vegas chapel. Get married on a dinner cruise if the captain is willing to officiate.

Just be sure to have your marriage license on hand for the officiant to sign. Otherwise, it won’t be legal.

For more information about eloping, check out our blog post: Your Elopement Checklist (Before, During, and After)

How To Plan a Non-Traditional Wedding

 

Photo: Bella Bridesmaids Indianapolis | Aubrey and Brandon

It doesn’t matter if you’re sticking to the traditional wedding framework and changing up a few details or throwing a totally off-the-wall celebration.

Weddings require planning — and that’s half the fun.

Here are some alternative wedding ideas to help you plan:

Choose a Wedding Theme

 

Anything can be a wedding theme, so let your imagination run wild.

For a special day full of whimsy and wonder, consider throwing a fairytale wedding in the woods with an enchanted forest theme.

Love a vintage vibe? Transport your guests back in time with an old Hollywood theme or turn your reception into a 50s-inspired sock hop.

If you’re kids at heart, create a carnival-themed reception with a cotton candy machine, lawn games, and food trucks serving tasty treats.

And if a theme isn’t your thing, that’s okay too. Create a minimalist, chic atmosphere and focus on having a great time.

Find a Non-Traditional Wedding Venue

 

Photo: Bella Bridesmaids Atlanta | Ashlyn Cathey

Ballrooms, barns, and beaches are popular wedding venues that many couples choose. But they are certainly not the only options.

There are all sorts of establishments that rent space for weddings.

If you’re throwing a small wedding, renting a private room at your favorite restaurant is a great way to create a cozy, intimate vibe. Or, think about renting space at the place where the two of you met.

You could also let your hobbies help you decide where to say “I do.”

Sports fans can get married at their favorite ballpark or football stadium. Most major stadiums have rentable space, and you might even be able to snap some wedding photos on the field.

Art or music lovers could host their big day in a theater, an art gallery, or a museum. Animal lovers may choose to celebrate at their local aquarium or zoo.

If you love camping and spending time outdoors, consider turning your wedding day into a wedding glamping weekend. Or rent a boat and get married on a sunset cruise.

History buffs might want to get married at a historical site, public library, or local park with historical significance.

No matter what you’re into, unique, unexpected wedding venues exist all around the world.

Choose Unexpected Outfits

 

Your wedding dress is your shining moment. It should be something you absolutely love, and by no means does it have to be a white wedding gown.

What you wear on your wedding day is entirely up to you. Maybe that means wearing a white mini-dress instead of a gown. Or, maybe that means teaming a traditional gown with sneakers or cowboy boots.

For some brides, the ideal look is a black dress, a colorful gown, or one adorned with feathers or flowers.

Once you know what you’re going to wear, get creative. Put together complementary looks for the bridesmaids and groomsmen in your wedding party.

Bridesmaid attire comes in every color, style, and silhouette imaginable. So whether you want your girls to wear chic jumpsuits, flowing full-length gowns, or sleek suits, finding the perfect look is easy.

Choose Non-Traditional Food and Beverages

 

Photo: Bella Bridesmaids | Margaret Elizabeth & Justin Malphrus

You can make your wedding non-traditional simply by serving some unexpected food and drinks. Or, you can serve traditional wedding dishes in unexpected ways.

Instead of a standard bar, set up a self-service tap wall with beer and wine on tap. You can also set champagne flutes on wall shelves rather than having servers pass them out.

Skip the classic buffet or sit-down meal. Instead, host a cocktail reception with themed food stations where guests can snack on different foods all night.

Rather than a tall, tiered wedding cake, choose a non-traditional cake. It could be a tower of donuts, tiers of cupcakes, or a huge pile of brownies — if that’s your thing.

Read How to Plan Your Wedding Day Timeline for a complete guide to your wedding day — from hair & make-up to hitting the dance floor.

 

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There’s only one rule to wedding planning:

Your day = your way!

So whether you’re ready to toss all traditions by the wayside or want to tweak a few elements to shake things up, do what feels right for you.

Whatever you decide to do, we hope your out-of-the-box plans turn into the wedding of your dreams.

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