Today’s weddings are more and more a reflection of you and your style, rather than simply conforming to what used to be traditionally expected. Whether you want go all out with a theme, or just want to add a little bit of flare here and there, check out our top tips on how you can make your wedding stand out from the crowd.

1. The Dress
There are some stunning alternative wedding dresses readily available on the market and many brides are starting to play with colour by experimenting with blush tones.

Dress: Chantel Lauren Designs
Photo credit: Tyler Rye Photography

 

You could push the envelope and go full colour but this doesn’t mean you have to wear an all-out block colour. Clever use of coloured embellishments, contrasting lace, or a bright and bold colourful statement can completely change the look of a wedding gown, without looking gimmicky or trashy.  Whether you just want a splash of colour or want to walk away from tradition completely and go for a colour that suits your individual skin tone and hair colour, there are plenty of alternatives available to really make your dress the talk of the town.

Photo credit: Michael Segal Weddings

2.  The Cake
Your wedding cake is the perfect opportunity to share your tastes with your guests. Having a stack of cakes or pastries of assorted flavours that guests can pick and choose from is a great option.  Whether you love doughnuts, profiteroles, cheesecake, the old fashioned Victoria sponge cake or even something savoury, like pork pies, you can add colour and flair to this wedding centrepiece. And it works fantastically if you both have different favourites!

Photo credit: Alison Leigh Photography

My personal favourite is a cheese wedding cake…yes, literally a 5-tier cake of cheese! On a practical level, giving a “slice” to each guest might be a bit tricky, but by providing mini versions for each table, you’ve got the final course of your wedding feast covered too.

Photo credit:  Timchin Photography

3. The Bouquet
There are so many ideas out there if you want something other than a floral bouquet. From pretty arm garlands to parasols to vintage fans; or why not have a paper, button, crochet or beaded bouquet?  The opportunities really are endless, and, let’s face it, there’s no rule to say a bouquet has to be flowers, or, that you have to carry anything at all!

4. The Ceremony
Let’s not forget that the main reason people are coming to your BIG day is not only to enjoy the celebrations, but also to see you get married. Sometimes the ceremony can get overlooked, but this really is the focus of the whole day. How do YOU want to publicly declare your love and dedication to the one you love?

Make sure you take the time to think about what you’d like to include in your ceremony, if you’d like to write your own vows and whether you’d like to include additional touches, such as a sand ceremony, a love letter sealing ceremony or a water blessing.

Photo credit:  Ann Sophie Maestracci

5. The Table Plan
Table plans have come a long way from the traditional board with a list of names under each table number.  These days anything goes: from photo boards to chalkboards, a photo frame that turns into a guest book, welcome drinks with a straw and a tag, to name just a few ideas.  A great idea for a destination wedding would be a map of the country or island you’re getting married on, with the tables assigned names of local sights, beaches or your favourite hang-outs!

6. The Colour Scheme
The colours you choose for your wedding day can come from anywhere – it’s all about discovering the best reflection of your individual style. Be bold, be modern, be minimalistic, be bright, go subtle; be whatever you want, as there are no rules on this one.  Go for new, bold colours such as lemon and lime, aubergine and orange, or the colours of the rainbow. However, for something completely different, choose colours that reflect the local produce. If you’ve opted for a tropical destination wedding, then take your inspiration from the local fruits, such mango, dragon fruit and rambutan! Some of the names may sound unfamiliar, but their colours are simply fantastic!

7. The Favours
Long gone are the wedding favours of yesteryear. Now they can be fun, quirky or the perfect keepsake.  Consider a homemade favour, like jam, chutney or a berry-infused gin (or vodka) – not only will it save you money, but you’ll have put your love and care into each, individual jar or bottle.  Or for fun, why not have a cookie buffet, a henna tattooist, or, let’s be realistic here, a hangover helper kit!

If you’re having a small wedding, why not get a bespoke silver keepsake made for each of your guests; something that will remind them not only of your BIG day, but also of your wedding destination.

8. Elope!

This is becoming more and more popular, especially for couples who may feel overwhelmed at the thought of planning a large, elaborate wedding and are secretly dreaming of an elopement.

You may want to make your wedding day just about the two of you or perhaps, you both just love to travel and would rather forego convention in favour of your dream holiday. Whatever the reason, elopements are very intimate and utterly romantic, plus that big party is always waiting for you on your return!

Photo credit: Aidan Dockery Photography, Koh Tao 

Whatever you decide for your wedding day, remember it should be what makes you happy, within your budget and whatever reflects the two of you.

Get in touch with Forever Lovestruck to find out how you can personalise your wedding day and make your BIG day stand out from the crowd!