Most newly engaged couples want more than just a traditional, copy and paste wedding. They want a celebration that feels uniquely theirs, an event which reflects their shared story, personalities and values.
It might be bespoke outfits or custom cocktails, or even an off-the-wall theme for the day. Whatever you have in mind, there are lots of ways you can personalise your wedding and make it truly unforgettable.
Why Personalisation Matters in a Modern Wedding
If you’re like most people of a certain age, you’ll have been to a lot of weddings. After the first few, it can sometimes start to feel like they’re all the same, but then you may attend a celebration that looks and feels quite different are the weddings you remember.
This kind of memorable impression is what you’re aiming for when thinking about how to personalise your wedding. You may want to move away from rigid tradition and bring more fun, creativity and style into your special day.
It’s not necessarily about extravagant gestures or outlandish themes either. Even small, thoughtful details can make a big impact and create a memorable experience for your guests.
For example, you may choose a bespoke suit, write your own vows or make meaningful music choices. You may even want to think a little bigger, such as making eco-conscious decisions to reduce the carbon footprint of your wedding.
1. Incorporate Your Story Into the Ceremony
To truly personalise your wedding, you need to put your love story at the heart of the day. Seriously, it is all about you.
Think about ways you can weave elements of your journey as a couple into the day, such as:
- Writing your own vows
- Choosing a celebrant or officiant who can tell your story authentically
- Theming the wedding (or an element of it, such as the décor) on a location or occasion that has special meaning for you, such as the location of a special trip or where you first met
2. Add Unique Details to Your Wedding Outfits
It’s your wedding day, so you can wear exactly what you want. This gives you the freedom to express yourself in all kinds of ways, showcasing your style as well as adding some lovely personal touches.
For example, you can customise your wedding suit with bespoke embroidery or monogrammed cufflinks. These may even be a special gift from your other half, given on the morning of the wedding.
You could even go all-out and have a bespoke suit made in the family tartan, or to exactly match an iconic suit from your favourite film or TV show. If budget isn’t a concern, you can really go for it.
Customised Accessories for the Groom
If you’re hiring rather than buying a suit, you can add your own personal style with accessories.
You can opt for a tie, boutonnière or pocket square in a colour that has symbolic meaning for you both. Even your socks can be chosen with a particular memory in mind.
Coordinated Looks for the Wedding Party
You can extend your vision for the day to the outfits worn by your wedding party. It’s worth taking some time to think about how to coordinate looks and tie them into your main theme and colour palette for the wedding.
Remember that coordinating doesn’t mean identical. You can play with colours and textures that complement rather than exactly match, to create a cohesive look across the whole wedding party. For example, you can hire groomsmen’s suits in the same style, but give them different tie colours, or have bridesmaids wear varied styles in the same tone.
When you’re personalising your wedding, there are no rules you need to follow. It’s all about what you and your partner think looks good, and what your groomsmen and bridesmaids are prepared to wear.
3. Personalise Your Wedding Décor and Venue Styling
Décor is a fantastic way to express your own unique style, and to turn an ordinary wedding venue into something unique and special.
Here are just some of the ideas for styling your venue:
- Incorporate your favourite colours, meaningful quotes or even family heirlooms (just be careful not to spill anything on them)
- Include a photo wall, featuring all your favourite photos from your relationship – you can even encourage friends and family to add their own photos of the two of you.
- Have a memory corner or an interactive guestbook
- Use table names inspired by significant moments in your journey as a couple
- Design your own welcome sign with a custom logo or monogram
4. Create a Bespoke Menu and Drinks Selection
You have complete control over the menu for your big day, so what are you going to choose?
One idea is to feature dishes which celebrate your individual heritages or cultures, or dishes which have particular emotional resonance for you.
For example, the first meal you ever cooked for each other, or a favourite dish your grandmother used to make you. This can be a really touching way to bring both families closer together, as well as enjoying fabulous food.
You can really have fun with it too, whether it’s designing signature cocktails, naming your menu items creatively or even making your own flavour of ice cream for dessert.
5. Choose Entertainment That Reflects Your Personality
At the end of the day, it’s time to hit the dance floor. You don’t need to choose the same old songs that everyone uses if you’d rather try something different, such as an acoustic duo or a live band, or a DJ who really gets your crowd’s vibe and provides a custom playlist.
You may even want to think even further outside the box and go for a comedian or magician. You can add in outdoor games, photobooths and live illustrators doing portraits. It’s your day, so go wild!
