Non-Traditional wedding ideas

An Intimate Elopement

This is the ultimate breakaway from a traditional wedding. Originally, to elope, meant to run away and get married with out people knowing or without approval. Nowadays it is more associated with a smaller wedding, typically for 0 to 30 guests. Adventure elopements have been trending in recent years with many couples choosing to elope in Iceland!

wedding party colors

Traditionally, bridesmaids and groomsmen wore the same outfit. The bridesmaids all wore the same dress and had the same bouquet while the groomsmen had the same suit. This was done for color cohesion in photos, for example. Modern brides and grooms are mixing it up when it comes to wedding party attire. They might keep the same color or color scheme throughout, but incorporate differently styled dresses, for example.

Non-gendered wedding parties

Who says you can’t include your brother as a bridesman, or your best friend from childhood as a groomswoman? This is your day, you do what you want! This also ties into the idea above of mixing it up when it comes to the wedding party.

The First Look

Out of all the modern wedding ideas, this one is probably the most popular one. Traditionally, the couple saw each other for the first time on the wedding day during the walk down the aisle. The first look shatters this tradition by having the couple see each other before the ceremony. Benefits of the first look include: group shots done before the ceremony, more time spent together on the wedding day, and heartfelt and intimate photos. Learn more about how to have a first look on your wedding day.

First look alternatives

As mentioned, the first look is the most popular non-traditional wedding idea. So it obviously has a few spin-offs already. These alternatives are for couples who want to see each other for the first time during the ceremony but want to do something together before. Here are a few of my favorite first look alternatives.

A non-white wedding dress

Don’t feel like white is your color? Technically, white actually isn’t a color. Anyway, more and more brides are ditching the all-white look for something else. It can be a color or full on all-black.

Throw a surprise wedding!

If you’re the type who doesn’t want to make a big deal out of things, even your wedding — then this may be a great idea for you. Invite your closest friends and relatives over and spring the trap on them! The most popular kind of surprise wedding is a baby shower turned wedding ceremony and reception. I mean, talk about feeding two birds with one stone!

Rent a food truck for your reception

It can be for the main meal or rent an ice cream truck and have them park outside for a sweet treat. Photographer approved! Especially in summer. Nowadays you can get a food truck for most cuisines, you can get authentic brick oven pizza and Ethiopian food trucks for example.

Include Grandma and Grandpa

Not that they’re not invited or something like that. Maybe have your grandma walk down the aisle and sprinkle rose petals instead of your cousin’s daugther? Your grandpa can be ring security!

Bless the rings

This idea typically works better with smaller weddings and elopements. The idea here is that before the rings are placed on the fingers, they are passed around amongst your guests for them to bless them.

Have your photographer shoot film

A beautiful way to break away from tradition is to hire a photographer who offers film photography. Film has a unique aesthetic that digital photography just can’t compete with. Whether they are gorgeous portraits on medium format film or reception snapshots on 35mm — film can only add to the overall storytelling qualities of a wedding gallery.