Hi, I'm Raquel. Nice to meet you!
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WEDDING + LIFESTYLE PHOTOGRAPHER
I'm passionate about capturing each season of life
Engagements, weddings, motherhood, families, seniors, & branding photography
Unique and Memorable Wedding Day Ideas
HECK YES. You are a lover of all things nontraditional and looking to make your big day super special and unique. From a wedding photographer and bride-to-be myself, I applaud you for wanting to break the mold and try something different. Finding ways to incorporate a unique aspect to your day in my opinion makes the day that much more fun and memorable for you and your guests.
Here are some ideas I’ve put together from my own research and keeping mental notes from weddings I’ve photographed that had amazing ideas planned out by the couples. There are too many to count and this is just a list of a few. I hope this is helpful for your wedding planning and sparks more ideas for you to try something new and ultimately bring your dream day to life.
1. Custom Invitations
Design unique invitations that reflect your theme, colors, or shared interests.
Include a personal touch, like a custom illustration of the two of you. There are many artists and small business owners that do this and can create custom artwork of elements in your day you use on your invites or save the dates. Here is a link to some of my favorites I’ve saved in this Pinterest Board.
2. Venue
- Your venue really determines the look and feel of your entire day. Take your time thinking about how you want the location or what you want your venue to look like.
- Opt for a non-traditional venue such as a botanical garden, museum, backyard, ski resort, state park, art gallery, or beach.
- Consider a destination wedding in a location that holds significance for you.
- Here are some photos of completely different venues — from modern to vintage to outdoors options that give a completely different look and feel:
3. Themed Wedding
- Choose a theme that resonates with your interests, such as a favorite movie, book, or hobby.
- Incorporate the theme into the decor, attire, and even the music.
- Examples: black tie, medieval, father-of-the-bride movie, parent trap, etc.
4. Unique Ceremony Structure
Consider alternative ceremony structures, such as a ring-warming ceremony or a unity ceremony that involves something special to you both.
I’ve seen couples have family members and friends write a letter to the couple and put it in a letter box for the couple during the ceremony. It was so sweet to watch and so fun for the couple to read the letters their family wrote them later on.
5. Interactive Guest Experience
- Set up a photo booth with props that reflect your personalities.
- Create a “wishing well” where guests can leave notes or small gifts. You can have a vintage telephone as a guest book where your guests leave voice messages to you throughout the night.
- Have giant jenga, cornhole, trivia, Plinko, or other games during the cocktail hour or reception for your guests. You can also join your guests during this time too and partake in the games with them!
- Making the day focused around your guests’ experience will make the day so much more memorable.
6. Customized Attire
- Choose outfits that reflect your personal style rather than traditional wedding attire.
- Incorporate cultural elements or accessories with sentimental value.
7. Signature Cocktails
- Create signature cocktails named after you or with a special meaning. I’ve seen couples also create a cocktail and drinks with their pets’ names or pictures on them that made for such cute and clever drink names.
- Consider a themed bar that complements your wedding colors or theme.
8. Entertainment
- Hire unique entertainment, such as a live band, a magician, or a dance troupe. This is such a fun and one of the fastest ways to make your day memorable with the music/entertainment.
- Include activities like a photo scavenger hunt or lawn games during the reception.
9. DIY Decor
- Incorporate handmade decor elements that showcase your creativity.
- Use family heirlooms or DIY projects for centerpieces and table settings.
10. Personalized Favors
- Give out personalized favors that reflect your interests or culture.
- Consider edible treats, custom-made items, or even charitable donations on behalf of your guests.
- I do think favors are sometimes unnecessary so getting more creative with them could be a great way to reduce costs or could even go without them.
11. Specialized Food & Drink
- Offer a menu that reflects your favorite foods or cultural background.
- Consider unique dessert options, like a donut wall or a dessert bar.
- As an alternative to a champagne tower or signature cocktail you could do signature espresso martinis. This way you give your guests that caffeine boost and alcoholic beverage to keep the party going.
There are endless other ways to make your wedding or elopement memorable and unique. One important thing I always like to tell my couples is that the day is about YOU and not to let the opinions of others or what is online make you do something you’re not excited about for your day. It is YOUR day after all. I’d love to hear if you have a favorite on this list or any other unique ideas! Comment below.
Looking for a wedding photographer?
I would be happy to capture the sentimental moments that make up your unique and memorable wedding day. Fill out my contact form linked here to get in touch.
HECK YES. You are a lover of all things nontraditional and looking to make your big day super special and unique. From a wedding photographer and bride-to-be myself, I applaud you for wanting to break the mold and try something different. Finding ways to incorporate a unique aspect to your day in my opinion makes the day that much more fun and memorable for you and your guests.
Here are some ideas I’ve put together from my own research and keeping mental notes from weddings I’ve photographed that had amazing ideas planned out by the couples. There are too many to count and this is just a list of a few. I hope this is helpful for your wedding planning and sparks more ideas for you to try something new and ultimately bring your dream day to life.
1. Custom Invitations
Design unique invitations that reflect your theme, colors, or shared interests.
Include a personal touch, like a custom illustration of the two of you. There are many artists and small business owners that do this and can create custom artwork of elements in your day you use on your invites or save the dates. Here is a link to some of my favorites I’ve saved in this Pinterest Board.
2. Venue
- Your venue really determines the look and feel of your entire day. Take your time thinking about how you want the location or what you want your venue to look like.
- Opt for a non-traditional venue such as a botanical garden, museum, backyard, ski resort, state park, art gallery, or beach.
- Consider a destination wedding in a location that holds significance for you.
- Here are some photos of completely different venues — from modern to vintage to outdoors options that give a completely different look and feel:
3. Themed Wedding
- Choose a theme that resonates with your interests, such as a favorite movie, book, or hobby.
- Incorporate the theme into the decor, attire, and even the music.
- Examples: black tie, medieval, father-of-the-bride movie, parent trap, etc.
4. Unique Ceremony Structure
Consider alternative ceremony structures, such as a ring-warming ceremony or a unity ceremony that involves something special to you both.
I’ve seen couples have family members and friends write a letter to the couple and put it in a letter box for the couple during the ceremony. It was so sweet to watch and so fun for the couple to read the letters their family wrote them later on.
5. Interactive Guest Experience
- Set up a photo booth with props that reflect your personalities.
- Create a “wishing well” where guests can leave notes or small gifts. You can have a vintage telephone as a guest book where your guests leave voice messages to you throughout the night.
- Have giant jenga, cornhole, trivia, Plinko, or other games during the cocktail hour or reception for your guests. You can also join your guests during this time too and partake in the games with them!
- Making the day focused around your guests’ experience will make the day so much more memorable.
6. Customized Attire
- Choose outfits that reflect your personal style rather than traditional wedding attire.
- Incorporate cultural elements or accessories with sentimental value.
7. Signature Cocktails
- Create signature cocktails named after you or with a special meaning. I’ve seen couples also create a cocktail and drinks with their pets’ names or pictures on them that made for such cute and clever drink names.
- Consider a themed bar that complements your wedding colors or theme.
8. Entertainment
- Hire unique entertainment, such as a live band, a magician, or a dance troupe. This is such a fun and one of the fastest ways to make your day memorable with the music/entertainment.
- Include activities like a photo scavenger hunt or lawn games during the reception.
9. DIY Decor
- Incorporate handmade decor elements that showcase your creativity.
- Use family heirlooms or DIY projects for centerpieces and table settings.
10. Personalized Favors
- Give out personalized favors that reflect your interests or culture.
- Consider edible treats, custom-made items, or even charitable donations on behalf of your guests.
- I do think favors are sometimes unnecessary so getting more creative with them could be a great way to reduce costs or could even go without them.
11. Specialized Food & Drink
- Offer a menu that reflects your favorite foods or cultural background.
- Consider unique dessert options, like a donut wall or a dessert bar.
- As an alternative to a champagne tower or signature cocktail you could do signature espresso martinis. This way you give your guests that caffeine boost and alcoholic beverage to keep the party going.
There are endless other ways to make your wedding or elopement memorable and unique. One important thing I always like to tell my couples is that the day is about YOU and not to let the opinions of others or what is online make you do something you’re not excited about for your day. It is YOUR day after all. I’d love to hear if you have a favorite on this list or any other unique ideas! Comment below.
Looking for a wedding photographer?
I would be happy to capture the sentimental moments that make up your unique and memorable wedding day. Fill out my contact form linked here to get in touch.
Shania & Pierre / Sioux Falls / 2022
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