Your wedding is an exciting time full of new beginnings. Planning your wedding may also be nerve-wracking if you know you don’t want to replicate the more traditional weddings you’ve been to before.
Photo by Nathan Dumlao on UnsplashConsider some of the following ideas if you’re looking to surprise your guests with an over-the-top celebration. Most importantly, make sure you take the time to think through what’s most important to you, how your celebration can best reflect your partnership and what you want your guests to feel by the end of the wedding.
If it seems like your wedding costs are going way over budget, a personal loan could be an option. Offered by banks, credit unions and online lenders, a personal loan offers fixed terms and may be a lower-interest alternative to a credit card that can be used to help pay for life’s big events.
Choose a unique venue
Looking to do something less traditional? Try an unexpected venue. A favorite art gallery or museum could be an interesting alternative to a more classic space, like a hotel ballroom. Similarly, a wedding ceremony under the stars could be a fitting surprise if you’re a couple who spend a lot of time in nature. A boat on the water could be a beautiful backdrop if you love sailing, surfing or other water sports and you’re having a smaller, more intimate gathering.
Don’t be afraid to get creative with where and when the wedding ceremony and reception take place. A morning wedding followed by a celebratory brunch could make more types of spaces available to you.
Include unusual activities
Most weddings have a similar series of events. If you want to change it up and surprise your guests, think about how you could incorporate activities that are meaningful to you. Of course, you’ll want to be sure to find ways to include guests who have physical limitations or health concerns. Some ideas you might consider:
- If you love the great outdoors, invite everyone to camp out in tents during the wedding weekend and hike to the ceremony.
- If you love to dance, have someone teach a dance to the whole group — including everyone at the wedding — and then perform it together at the end of the night.
- If you play a musical instrument, serenade your guests at some point during the celebrations.
- If your wedding falls near a holiday, you could plan a seasonally appropriate activity such as a sleigh ride in the winter, fireworks during the summer or a spooky wagon ride in the late fall.
While it’s a little riskier, offering commemorative wedding tattoos or ear piercings could be a big hit with the right crowd.
Feature unexpected design elements
You don’t have to stick with the more traditional pale or muted color palette that most weddings use. Instead, opt for bright colors for flowers, table decor and paper goods. Use different lighting options — such as candles, lanterns, small lamps and string lights — to create a cozy and elegant atmosphere.
You could also incorporate different fabrics and textures, like a silk runner for the aisle or specially designed tablecloths for the reception. A wall of photos that showcases your time together as a couple could be a nice accent for a cocktail hour.
Wear alternative attire
If a white dress and a tuxedo aren’t calling to you, consider other clothing options. Dressing for a theme could be fun — perhaps your favorite movie, television show or book — and invite your guests to come in costume, too. You could also get historical and dress as a king and queen or a famous couple from the past.
If you want to be unconventional without going that far, you can always put a spin on more traditional wedding attire through color, fabric and design choices. Who says you can’t get married in a yellow dress or a bright pink suit?
Make your wedding your own
The most important thing about your wedding is that it feels like your own. Spend time thinking about ways to show your guests who you are as a couple.
The venue, activities, design elements and attire are just a few of the many ways to have a memorable wedding full of bold choices and amazing surprises.
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