I think when it comes to planning weddings, there are lots of questions on which traditions should stay and which should go. The answer is simple: do whatever you want! The truth is, it is your day and you should be totally comfortable with each and every decision made. The most important part of a wedding day, is the ceremony where you actually become married, but that is often overlooked in favor of the fun and exciting party that is the reception. I can assure you, the ceremony can be just as detail-oriented and doesn’t have to be a cookie cutter version of every other wedding you’ve been to. There are traditionally a lot of formalities in a wedding ceremony that can be seen as outdated, long-winded, and dare I say….boring. When my husband and I began our planning early last year, we wanted to create a ceremony that was memorable for us and our guests, covered all the necessary bases, but mostly something that was very ‘us‘. Today I’m sharing 5 ways that you can add some of your own personality to your wedding ceremony.
1. Start with the Invitations
The wedding invitations set the tone for the wedding. Get as creative as you’d like here, and have fun! The invitation is historically very wordy and formal, but if that doesn’t fit the feel of your wedding then don’t feel bound to that protocol. Our wedding took place on a ranch in Oahu so we really wanted to capture that tropical feel from the very beginning. We had our invites printed on Koa wood and created pre-stamped RSVP postcards that our guests could just drop in the mailbox. We also created a little wedding logo that was used as an element throughout the process.
2. Dedicate a Special Moment to Your Parents
This was a huge one for me, being that my father is no longer with us. He was represented in a few ways during our ceremony. One of my bridesmaids and groomsmen surprised me with a sweet trinket to wrap around my bouquet (**insert tears like no other…right after I had my makeup done, lol). We also lit a candle for my dad that burned throughout the duration of the ceremony. Additionally, we took a moment and presented each of our parents with a fresh flower lei to symbolize the gratitude we have for everything they’ve done to bring us to our special day. Adding those components to our ceremony felt very intimate and special for us and allowed our guests to witness that love as well.
3. Ask Someone You Know & Love to Officiate
I feel that this is hands down the best way to make your ceremony feel like your own. The idea of a stranger pronouncing us husband and wife always felt weird to me, personally (again- to each, his own). We chose to ask someone who had witnessed the both of us grow up and someone who invested in our lives from an early age. (For those who don’t know, my husband and I have known each other since we were 6). Not only did she have personal anecdotes to share, but we were able to work together on our vision for the ceremony. We collaborated on specific readings, and the feelings we wanted to convey during the ceremony. We omitted much of the more traditional components and crafted our own structure so it felt very authentic to us as a couple. Even the ring exchange was personalized.
4. Write Your Own Vows
If you are both are comfortable with the idea, I highly recommend writing your own vows. It’s so indescribably special to hear what your spouse is pledging to you from his/her own heart. It may be the most nervous you’ll ever be, but it is so worth it 😉 It’s also a priceless gift to have the vows to look back and reflect on in years to come. This is where your own personalities can truly shine through and where your love for each other is evidenced in a very personal and remarkable way. It’s a unique moment where you can stand in front of family and friends and declare heartfelt promises to your love in your own words. Whether you choose to include funny memories, stories, or keep it completely serious, writing your own vows is something you won’t regret.
5. Choose a Fun Recessional Song
Once all is said and done, and you have been pronounced husband and wife, choose an upbeat song to capture that excitement. I’m not going to lie- I was so stressed about song choices during the ceremony. But, again- there are no rules when it comes to your day. (Plus on a real note…..NO ONE will remember! LOL!) Dance down the aisle hand in hand with your brand new husband or wife! Celebrate the beautiful union that has just taken place! Set the tone for party mode with some Bruno Mars, or Michael Jackson. We chose ‘You Make My Dreams Come True’ by Hall & Oats, and it really was the perfect choice to represent how we felt in that moment; just pure happiness.
Thank you for so much for reading! If you’ve had a wedding, what are some special ways you made it your own?
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