Between elaborate cakes, lush flowers, and elegant dresses, it’s easy to get caught up in aesthetics when planning your wedding. Yes, a wedding’s look and feel matters! But if you prioritize beauty over meaning, you’re missing the point of this momentous occasion.
With the right details, any wedding will turn out pretty — but that doesn’t mean it will feel like you. Personalizing your big day gives purpose to the celebration by honoring your love story and reflecting the union of two extraordinary people. You can’t achieve that by copying and pasting a cookie-cutter wedding from Pinterest!
Don’t worry — adding your unique touch to your wedding doesn’t mean you must forgo your design preferences. If anything, it will make your day-of experience feel all the more intentional and connected to your one-of-a-kind relationship. Here are four ways to fill your big day with meaning, value, and lots of love.
Make your ceremony your own
It’s all fun and games at the wedding reception, but let’s not rush past the whole purpose of the day! Wedding ceremonies might be the shortest part of the day, but they’re undoubtedly the most significant moment for everyone involved. After all, it’s when you get to make your marriage official!
Instead of using a pre-set ceremony script off the internet, add meaning to your ceremony by working with an officiant to craft your own. Include readings, songs, and quotes that hold significance in your relationship. “Personalized vows are also a great way to add some of your heart and love to the ceremony as well,” says Craig Peterman of Craig Peterman Photography & Videography.
Feeling shy? Peterman suggests exchanging personalized vows in private before the ceremony. Consider scheduling an intimate first look where you can share your thoughts and soak in the moment together before the festivities begin.
Ceremony rituals offer another great way to personalize your big day. “A unity candle, hand-fasting, or sand jar can be a great way to show that commitment between you and your partner,” Peterman adds. If you want to honor one or both of your heritages, you can incorporate cultural traditions like breaking glass, foot washing, or jumping the broom.
Tie personal touches into your design
You don’t need to sacrifice aesthetics to plan a wedding day that feels like it truly belongs to you. All it takes is a dose of creativity and the help of experienced vendors!
Ashley Allan of Your Jubilee Weddings encourages couples to “infuse their story into the day through intentional details.” How you interpret that is open to your imagination!
A few ideas to spark inspiration include “using the names of mountains as table assignments, including photos of family members on their wedding days, and incorporating different cultural and religious elements in the ceremony that are inclusive of both families,” Loni Peterson of LP Creative Events offers.
Another crowd favorite is when couples incorporate their four-legged friends in their wedding day design. Think “custom figurines on the cake, naming cocktails after them with a portrait on the bar sign, or even a ‘doggy bag’ from the dogs to take desserts home,” Allan adds. “We love these little touches to include your furry family in the day.”
Reflect on your journey together and pick significant moments and elements to highlight on your big day. Maybe it’s a shared love for a sports team (or even a household rivalry!) or perhaps it’s the movie marathon you enjoyed on your first date — there’s plenty of inspiration to gather if you know where to look.
Craft a meaningful playlist
It’s hard to imagine a wedding reception without music. Curating a soundtrack for your love story is the perfect way to set the tone for a purposeful, heart-led celebration. The right playlist will keep guests on their feet while offering a taste of your personalities.
“Music sets the mood for your entire day, so choose songs that mean something to you as a couple,” Peterman affirms. “Don’t only play music your guests want to hear, but play music you love to hear! A song from your first date or a tune you both love, these intentional selections will evoke emotion and keep your day authentic to who you are.”
Sit down with your partner to create a list of meaningful songs. Then, work with your DJ or band to fill in the gaps with tunes that fit the sound and style of your selections. If you prefer a certain genre, be sure to consider that as you build your wedding day playlist!
Show your appreciation
If you wanted to tie the knot alone, you’d elope. But if you’re reading this, chances are you can’t wait to celebrate your nuptials while surrounded by loved ones! Your family and friends are a big part of your story, so showing gratitude for their presence means a lot.
While putting in face-time with your guests is a good start, Casey Cannon of EBJ & Company notes that it can be hard to greet everyone personally on your wedding day.
“Writing each guest an individual note is an intentional way to share your appreciation for their attendance at your wedding,” Cannon suggests. “Consider using this note for their place card or seating chart for a dual-purpose detail that is practical and meaningful.”
Sending guests home with a personalized gift is another sweet gesture to show your thanks. Luggage tags, wine glasses, and koozies are all popular choices, but Tracy Autem of Tracy Autem & Lightly Photography recommends taking favors to the next level with a hands-on experience.
“A branding or embroidery station is a fun way to involve your family and friends in the favor experience,” Autem shares. “They get to pick out their monogram brand or select a name for their embroidery. When a detail at your wedding is fully customized for your guests, they will treasure it for years to come.”
It’s worth noting that a token of thanks doesn’t have to come with a hefty price tag to hold meaning for your guests. You can show appreciation with a simple, thoughtful keepsake they’ll treasure for years to come!
As you navigate the planning process, remember that the most meaningful celebrations are those filled with intention and heart. The most important part of your wedding isn’t the decorations or the menu — the beauty is in the purpose and sentiment that shine through in every moment from your ceremony processional to your final farewell.
Meghan Ely is the owner of wedding PR and wedding marketing firm OFD Consulting. Ely is a sought-after speaker and a self-professed royal wedding enthusiast.
