It’s sometimes difficult to break away from traditional expectations when you’re planning your wedding – you’ll easily get into double figures if you note the instances when you hear people tell you that “a bride’s supposed to…” or “at a traditional wedding you should…

The thing is; this is your day – and the things that have apparently made couples happy for decades before just don’t have to apply to you. Whether you’re looking to throw convention out the window – or just make a couple of little adjustments that suit your personalities, we’ve listed 7 of our favorite inspirational ideas to help you prepare for a wedding day that’s perfectly you.

Who are you badges

If you’ve got a fair amount of people coming to your wedding, you’ll find they’re probably likely to be introducing themselves to one another for most of the day – and, when they have, they’re likely to be forgetting one-another’s names and avoiding awkward conversations thereafter!

Why not create handfuls of quirky pin or magnet badges that give people some clues about who everyone is? You could include off-beat pictures of the bride or groom to indicate who that guest knows – and maybe even names to help with any mildly embarrassing moments!

It doesn’t have to stop there though, you could create games around the badges, or it could be an interesting way of organizing tables or photos. You might even want to offer up a handful of “single” badges to see if you can inspire love to blossom again on your special day.

A guest-led playlist

Tired of hearing the same old wedding songs? Worried that a DJ isn’t going to get the tone quite right – or share your love of slightly abstract songs that no one else has ever heard of? Well, think about helping out the dance party, by adding to the playlist.

Why not create your wedding invitations with a section that allows people to choose a song or two that you’ll play on your day? If you’re worried about people not getting up to dance, your worries will melt away when they hear their requested song and make headway for the dance floor!

#Hashtag your wedding

Why not create some unique hashtags that will let your guests share their experiences on social media – but also give you access to all the pictures, tweets and updates that find their way onto the internet?

When you look back over the pictures that have been taken, you’re likely to find some stunning shots that your photographer might have missed. From the ridiculous to the sublime, there’ll be unique memories centred around your hashtag that’ll keep you laughing, crying and reminiscing for years to come.

Build your own bubbly

Servers with balanced trays of champagne are a standard sight at a wedding – and if you want to stick to the traditions, then you’ll find plenty of venues who’ll provide great table service. That said, you might want your bubbly plans to involve a bit of your guest’s own creativity.

Prosecco or Champagne (or both!) stations are a great idea if you want to mix things up a little! You can still have your bartender serve up the alcohol, but you could provide a huge array of additions that people can add. From chopped fruit to frosted flower petals - or spices and wild flavors, there’s no end of options for things that’ll turn your fizz into something more exotic.

A base for the day

Tradition usually states that your ceremony takes place in the first location of the day – and your post-ceremony celebrations then take place in an alternative venue. Depending on your faith and expectations of the day, this might suit you perfectly – but not everyone’s looking for this format for their ceremony.

If you’d like to keep everyone in one place for the day, there’s a host of exciting venues that could provide everything from your vows to your late-night dancing! Chapel 1877 in the UK is a perfect example of an all-encompassing venue – and similar renovated chapels and churches might be the perfect place to base your entire wedding day.

Think outside the cake

Fruit and sponge cakes have always been wedding favorites – but they’re not always the perfect centerpiece for all couple’s wedding tables. With differing dietary needs, health issues – or quite simply, differing tastes, there’s a world of wedding cake alternatives that are sure to please!

Cheese based cakes are becoming more and more popular – as are ‘naked’ cakes – a traditional cake that shuns the icing. Then again, fruit pie stacks are a wonderful rustic alternative – as are traditional pork pies or other meaty fillings.

If that all sounds a little too out-there, then stacking your favourite mini-treats can look wonderful too, from multi-coloured macaron towers to brownie and cookie stacks. You might even want to stack the cupcakes up to the rafters – or, if calories aren’t a concern, perhaps doughnuts might be a winning idea!

Bring out the love

Your wedding is a celebration of your undying love for one another – and that’s a kind of love that’s bound to spread into the hearts of your guests throughout your day.

If you’d like to give this loving atmosphere a helping hand, why not make it easy for guests to tell their own other-half what they love about them so much? Perhaps you could provide some pens and cards that your guests could exchange when they get a quiet moment to themselves – or maybe you could provide a little hideaway somewhere that’s just for couples to sit for a stolen moment and remind each other why they’ve chosen to spend their lives together?

It’s easy to be complacent as a couple and think that your love for one-another is a given – but on a day like your wedding day, it’s the perfect opportunity to help others reignite their flame.

If you need help planning your traditional or non-traditional wedding day, contact New Creations Weddings today to setup your complimentary consultation. Happy Planning! ~Rebecca

7 Inspiring Ideas for Preparing Your Wedding Day