I think one of the main things I’ve seen starting to trend in 2021/2022 in the wedding industry is that couples are wanting their weddings to be a little bit more personal to who they are as people, or maybe taking a non-traditional approach to their wedding day. This is why elopements are on the rise! However, not everyone wants to elope, and that’s totally fine. So, if you’re looking to make your wedding or elopement more unique, then you came to the right place! I’ve got your back.

TOP FIVE TIPS FOR A UNIQUE WEDDING DAY

Number One – Find a Time To Be Alone With Your Partner

This is a funny story actually, I was inspired by one of my couples that did this to write about it and talk to other couples about doing this. After Kylie and Ceaser’s vows were said and they were pronounced husband + wife, they actually left their wedding and went to Dutch Bros (a super high energy coffee shop that Oregonians are obsessed with) and got their fav drinks and came back and finished out the night with their guests! Obviously you don’t need to leave your wedding for it to be fun or exciting, but what was special about what they did, was that they got about 20 minutes away from everyone else to just soak in each other’s presence and talk about their ceremony and what they’ve been up to during the day.

Almost every couple I’ve talked to after their wedding has said their biggest regret is that they didn’t spend enough time just being together, it was all just about going through the motions of the day.

I always encourage doing first looks as they help with the timeline of things, and create a very intimate and romantic moment between you and your partner. However, first looks aren’t always everyones jam. Some first look alternatives could be something like a first touch instead, not seeing each other, but still getting a moment alone together. Some couples even read their vows to each other privately, or they write each other a love letter for the other to read.

Number Two – Do Something Fun to Celebrate YOU

One couple I had (you can see this one “The Films” section) were OBSESSED with the Oregon Ducks, like seriously, they are die hard. They go to every game, have all the merch, they had a Duck themed wedding cake and Duck wedding colors. So, what they decided they wanted to do, is they hired the Oregon Duck mascot to come to their wedding and surprise their guests and he danced all night with them. It was probably the funniest thing I’ve ever experienced.

Obviously you don’t have to go crazy with it like they did haha. But maybe some smaller ways you can honor your individuality in your wedding day could be doing things like…

• choosing a food that you really love to feed to your guests, my hubby + I really love costco pizza, so we’re going to feed our guests costco pizza when we have a wedding
• plan a morning of your favorite activities, you could do this with your bridesmaids/groomsmen, alone, or together. some brides go out and do a spa morning, or they relax and eat their favorite snacks, whatever feels special to you!
• think about what some of your favorite activities are to incorporate in your wedding day – maybe you + your boo love dancing in the kitchen together, you could practice a dance to do in front of your friends later
• one of my brides sang her groom a love song as a surprise
• exchanging gifts is also common

Number Three – Include an Activity

This is one I definitely don’t see a lot, but I think has TONS of potential. Some of the funnest weddings I’ve been to that are the most memorable are the ones that danced the hardest or laughed the loudest. (pro tip, if you want an epic wedding video or reception pictures, DANCE). I did have one couple who really enjoyed local breweries, so for their wedding, they got their favorite beer, and played beer pong and drinking games all night and it was ridiculously fun! Another trend I’ve been seeing recently is renting a white bouncy castle for the day and jumping in it.

Number Four – Do a Fun Exit

I’ll have to say, I will FOREVER love a good sparkler exit, they are freaking EPIC and add so much to the day. But there are lots of new things popping up that are super fun to do as well. Imagine this, it’s the end of the night, it’s 10pm and dark, but it’s still pretty warm outside. Things are coming to an end in the night. You go inside and you change out of your wedding dress and you put your bridal SWIMSUIT ON. HELL YEAH. You and your boo come outside and run with your whole heart towards a runway of slippery soap and water. That’s right, I’m talkin a slippin’ slide exit. Mic dropped. Okay, yeah, maybe not everyone thinks its as fun as I do but I’m waiting for the day one of my couples does this.

Some other ways you can do an exit are things like throwing flower petals, bubble guns, smoke machines, a balloon toss, or maybe confetti or streamers.

Number Five – Include Something Significant to Your Culture or Religion

One of the things Josh and I plan to do at our wedding is wash each others feet. This is something that Jesus did for His disciples and it was incredibly special. In Biblical times, touching someones feet was so dishonoring because they were seen as the dirtiest part of the body and Jesus washed His followers feet as a way to show them that we need to serve each other even when it’s messy or difficult. So for us, we want to wash each other’s feet so we are showing each other that we want to be partners and serve one another even when it’s hard.

Maybe there’s something significant in your culture or religion in your life that you want to honor or participate in. Doing something like this is so special and sets a tone for your marriage as well.

*BONUS TIP

Okay, it’s not really a tip, but just something I want you to know. Most people won’t remember your wedding day for the things you had, ate, or did. What they’re going to remember is the feeling of your wedding day. Do whatever the heck you want! Be as traditional or non-traditional as you want! What matters on your wedding day is YOU.