Something Even Newer: Personalization Trends for Today’s Weddings

Photo courtesy The Bell Tower on 34th. Photography: Always Us Studios.

When friends of one of our team members married in New Orleans a few years ago, they wanted their wedding to reflect more than just their own preferences and wishes. They believed the ceremony should incorporate and honor the special people in their lives, including the bride’s maternal grandparents who had died long before she was born.  A few snapdragons, her late grandmother’s favorite flower, were tucked into her bridal bouquet, and pinned to the ribbons that flowed from it were Army medals awarded decades earlier to her late grandfather. Her paternal grandfather, who had passed away just a few years before, was also there in spirit, represented by a couple of honorary pins he had received as an officer in an organization.

Those small touches reflect a growing trend in weddings: personalization that goes far beyond the something borrowed, something blue traditions we’re used to. In fact, some couples are planning weddings that bear little resemblance to the celebrations of their parents’ and grandparents’ day. From mementos being carried down the aisle to signature cocktails served at the reception, customization is everywhere. As Flourish Events’ Allison McDonald said, couples are throwing out the traditional wedding rules and making more meaningful choices, including “personalized vows, nontraditional music, and special unity rituals.

“I have a couple planting a sapling in dirt from both childhood homes,” McDonald told St. Louis Best Bridal. “While traditional wedding parties are still the norm, many are opting to have mismatched numbers on each side, and even the traditional standing placement is open for interpretation!”

How can you add your own special spin to your wedding day? Here are some of the ideas we’ve noticed lately.

·       Getting married at a meaningful venue. Neither the bride nor the groom mentioned above is from New Orleans, but they met there as college students. Because the city provided the backdrop to their romance, their wedding in a historic home near the famed French Quarter seemed like a natural choice. It didn’t hurt that it’s a fun city for guests to visit!

·       Walking down the aisle on a personalized runner. Custom aisle runners let you print your names or monogram (or any design, really) on non-slip fabric.

·       Seating guests in a circle or winding the processional through the crowd. This way, the guests can have a better look at the bride or couple before and during the ceremony. "I love to create a winding aisle when it works out with the layout of the venue. It can look really whimsical and this way the bride gets to walk past more guests than if it were just a straight line down the aisle," says Jennifer Taylor, the founder of A Taylored Affair, told Brides magazine.

·       Incorporating hobbies and passions. Hooked on traveling? Instead of a traditional guestbook, have your friends and family sign postcards from all over the world. Share a love of collecting old china or glassware? Incorporate it into your centerpieces or place settings. One bride who had been gifted her great-grandmother’s silver had spoons made into bracelets for each of her attendants.

·       Being creative with escort cards or place cards (what’s the difference? Learn more about both here). Anyone can display printed or even hand-calligraphed escort cards to help guests find their tables or seats. To take the idea up a notch and make it far more personal, consider using guests’ photos or even illustrations instead of their names.

·       Include your pets. Even if your venue doesn’t allow your pet to be physically present during the ceremony or reception, you can still make your best furry friend part of the day. The experts at Inside Weddings suggest naming a cocktail after them or incorporating their faces into signage, your ceremony program, or other stationery pieces. (Can you imagine an escort card display with a sign that says, Rover Says Sit! So much fun.)

·       Making the most of your wedding program. Speaking of signage and stationery, if you’re printing a wedding program, why limit it to celebration details such as a timeline (although providing that information is a must). Todd Fiscus of Todd Events, Dallas, encourages couples to include “factoids about your VIPs VIPs (‘Father Don baptized Steven,’ or ‘Beth's mom makes the best pralines west of the Mississippi’), photos from your engagement shoot, a hand-drawn map illustrating your adventures together—anything that sets the tone for the wedding ahead.”

·       Asking a friend, sibling, or even a parent to officiate. After all, who knows you better and can add treasured, shared memories to your day. Ordination is free through the Universal Life Church, American Marriage Ministries, and other organizations.

Whether you incorporate all of these ideas into your day, pick a favorite or two, or decide you prefer a strictly traditional ceremony and reception, planners like Taylor say it’s important to be true to yourself. It’s your day, and you’re creating memories to last a lifetime. You may want to include something blue—but the planning shouldn’t make you feel that way.