We’ve seen just about every wedding trend in the book: mason jar decor, popular donut bars, classic candles and rose petals, and even unique signature cocktails. No matter what you do, you want your wedding to stand out and emulate your own personal style.
So what makes your wedding unique, and how do you come up with creative ideas that are not completely clichéd? We’ve got some great ideas for you — they’re fun, inventive, thoughtful, and we’ve put them all in one easy list. From catering and decor, to traditions and entertainment, here are 19 distinctive ways to ditch the traditional suggestions and put an off-beat spin on your wedding day.
- Ask your guests to jot down their favorite song as part of their RSVP. Compile all the song requests into a playlist and give it to your DJ—this way you know all your guests will enjoy the music and hit the dance floor.
- Looking for your “something blue”? Garters, jewelry, and shoes are standard, but for a cute spin on an old tradition, try a flower girl in a blue dress.
- Design a custom stamp of you and your partner’s first initials. Brand it on everything from wedding signs to table numbers and favors for a personal touch.
- Ditch the bride and groom cake toppers and go for something different. Try cut-out calligraphed words, whether it’s your names, monograms, or phrases like “Best Day Ever,” or “Just Hitched.” Or opt for a piece that compliments your wedding theme. If you’re having a beach wedding, use a pair of tiny beach chairs that say, “Mr. and Mrs.”
- Have your guests write notes with a special message or wedding advice and create a piñata for you to break open on your first anniversary.
- Give your cocktail napkins some flair by having them printed with fun facts about you and your partner—like who said “I love you” first, the place you met, the first song you ever danced to, etc.
- Have your best man or maid of honor emcee a trivia quiz about the two of you and encourage each table of guests to work as a team to come up with the answers.
- Offer tasting stations with cuisine from your wedding’s locale. A few ideas: clam chowder, and anything crab and lobster for New Englanders, walking tacos and BBQ for Texans, or spicy jambalaya for New Orleaners.
- If you’re having a summer wedding, people love a cold treat for a hot day—rent a Sno-Cone machine, set up a popsicle bar, or have an ice cream stand or sundae bar.
- If you’re serving any family recipes, give the significant backstory on the printed menu, and offer the ingredients (if it’s not a family secret!) For example, “Aunt Laura’s Cherry Cobbler,” or “Grandma Sally’s Famous Meatballs.”
- Write a heartfelt message on the bottom of your fiancé’s shoe so they have a surprise memo to read when they get ready for the big day.
- People always love a photo booth, but get creative with it and surprise your guests by sending their photos with your thank-you cards.
- Give your bouquet a unique touch of unexpected detail—incorporate feathers or pearls amongst the flowers and greenery.
- Pass wedding bands through guests for wishes and love before they’re placed on each finger — a “ring warming” ceremony.
- Keep the party going and entertain guests well into the night by opening the floor for karaoke.
- A picture is worth a thousand words, and that isn’t limited to photographs! Hire an artist to live-paint your ceremony or reception so you have a personal piece of art to hang in your home and treasure for many years as a memory of your big day.
- Create a quiz for out-of-town guests and send them on a scavenger hunt to your favorite local spots (the best deli, a scenic park, specialty bakery) and set them in the welcome baskets or at place settings.
- If you and your significant other met through a friend or family member, decorate their chair with a garland of greenery and sign that reads, “matchmaker.”
- Include details from your engagement story in your décor. For example, if your significant other proposed during a date to a strawberry patch, place a bowl of fresh strawberries at each place setting and include a note explaining the meaning behind them.
There are plenty more unique ideas to add flair to your wedding. If you need more wedding planning resources, check out more of our blogs or contact us today to start putting together your dream wedding. You can reach our event coordinators by email or phone at 877-545-1002.
