The fact you’re here, reading this, suggests the last thing you want is a cookie-cutter wedding. Why would anyone want to plan a celebration that resembles everyone else’s? You want to create something unique. So, where do you start?
Think Outside the Box
The best way to plan the wedding you want and create something unique is to stop thinking about weddings altogether. Instead, write a list of the things you love and enjoy together as a couple. Consider how you spend your time, the food you eat, the music you love and how your home is decorated.
The next step is to figure out how to weave these things into your wedding, so it reflects who you are and the things you’re passionate about. For example, if you love casual dining, you might want to skip the usual three-course meal and serve sharing boards instead. If you live for gigs and festivals, music and entertainment might play a central role in your day.
When looking for visual references, I recommend a similar approach. Keep thinking outside the box. Fashion, art, cinema and interior design have always been a huge influence on my work. There’s no need to limit yourselves to the world of weddings. Inspiration can be found anywhere.
Create Your Own Expectations
You shouldn’t have to do anything at your wedding that doesn’t feel true to who you are as a couple. To achieve this, you need to establish how you want to celebrate and mark the occasion.
Note down what usually happens at a wedding. Think about traditions, the order of events and who does what. Work through this list together, crossing out or amending anything that doesn’t feel like a good fit. Maybe formal wedding speeches aren’t your idea of fun or you’d rather skip the traditional first dance. Whatever it is, you get to decide whether it makes the cut.
Be Unashamedly YOU
It’s hard to shake off the idea that weddings need to look a certain way. Unfortunately, I think couples often feel pressured to deviate from their usual style because it isn’t ‘wedding appropriate’. But if you always dress in black and prefer dark colours, why should you have to wear a white outfit alongside pastel pink bridesmaids?
Your wedding doesn’t have to be ‘normal’ or ‘average’. It should be unique and unashamedly YOU! I love helping people design and style events that reflect their personal taste or aesthetic. If that means breaking all the rules, so be it!
Stand Your Ground
Once you’ve figured out what you want, stand your ground. Don’t be bullied into doing anything just because ‘it’s tradition’. It’s your wedding day and anything goes! For more advice to help you plan the wedding you really want, check out these posts from the archive:
- How to Create a Relaxed, Laidback Wedding
- Inspiration for Your Intimate, Modern Elopement
- How to Style a Luxury Festival Wedding
Photo Credits:
Photographer // The Unbridled, Styling & Coordination // Knots & Kisses, Florist // Brompton Buds, Cake Design // Kate Alexandra Cakes, Venue // Ashridge Great Barn