If you’re on the hunt for nontraditional wedding ideas because you want a day that feels truly your own—not just following tradition—you’re in the right place.
As a wedding photographer who’s helped many couples craft weddings that were fun, unique, and authentic to them… I’ve got some amazing tips and ideas to share with you. I love affirming my couples in making their wedding their own and not just doing traditions for the sake of them when you can just do whatever feels most meaningful to you.
Ready to explore my fresh, alternative wedding ideas? Let’s dive in!
Here are my 16 fun nontraditional wedding ideas
1. Incorporate your pets into your décor
Show your love for your furry family members by getting creative with your wedding details! Add a cute topper of them on your cake, feature an illustration of them on your drink menu, or even have their little faces printed on your napkins.
It’s such a fun way to include your pets and let everyone know they’re an important part of your family.
2. Include your dog in your first look
Got a dog? Make your first look extra special by letting your pup be part of the moment! Including your dog adds a personal touch that’s meaningful to you as a couple and makes for some seriously heartwarming photos.
3. Decide vows order with rock-paper-scissors
Can’t decide who goes first with the vows? No stress! Just because you’re getting married doesn’t mean you have to leave your playful side behind. Why not turn the decision into a fun little game?
A quick round of rock-paper-scissors (or even a coin flip) adds a cool, lighthearted touch to your ceremony that’ll make you smile every time you think about it!
4. Go nontraditional with custom suit liners, cufflinks, or even sneakers
Ditch the usual traditions and go for a vibe that’s all about comfort and coolness. Julia wore custom embroidered sneakers to accompany her wedding outfit. Who says you can’t be comfortable on your big day?
Tim also kept it laid-back by pairing jeans with a suit featuring custom liners. He totally owned his style, proving that you can have it both stylish and comfortable!
5. Use an outdoor rug as a dance floor
I was all in for this blue outdoor rug as a dance floor—it’s not just stylish but also practical. You get the coziness and grip to avoid slips, and you can even dance barefoot if you’re feeling it. Comfort and aesthetics, all in one.
6. Add colorful chair ribbons and wildflower centerpieces
Looking to bring some funky, free-spirited vibes to your setup? Adding pops of color with chair ribbons (or wherever else you fancy) paired with wildflower centerpieces gives a natural, untamed touch. It’s like bringing a bit of wilderness into your celebration.
7. Play trivia about the couple at the reception
Want to keep your guests entertained while still making it all about your love? Try a trivia game about the couple at your reception! It’s a fun way to see just how well your loved ones know you. Plus, the sweet and funny memories that come up will add even more joy to your day.
8. Create a Polaroid guest book with notes from guests
Here’s a super unique way to get your guests involved in capturing the memories of your wedding. I loved how this couple set up Polaroids for their guests to use, letting them snap a pic and leave a personal note.
Just imagine looking back at this in a few years, reading all the sweet messages, and reliving your wedding day all over again.
9. Go Disney with table signs and a donut cake
Want to sprinkle a little magic into your big day and make everyone feel like they’re part of a fairytale? There’s no better way than adding cute Disney illustrations to your table signs or adding a “Happily ever after” to your cake.
And hey, if Disney isn’t your thing, go for Studio Ghibli or whatever you both love!
10. Add crystals, incense, or the four elements
If you’re down-to-earth and into the meanings behind crystals or the calming vibes of incense, why not include them in your wedding? Your beliefs and values are a huge part of who you are, so they definitely deserve a spot on your big day.
11. Wear matching sweatsuits for a casual vibe
If you’re ready to let go of the fancy wedding outfits and just connect with your guests on a more laid-back, personal level, you might want to go for matching sweatsuits. It’s the perfect way to keep things relaxed, and hey, it will probably be more comfortable, too!
12. Run into the ocean after the ceremony
With a beach ceremony, well, the ocean is right there! So, why not dive in for a bit of adventure as a freshly married couple? Take your very first swim as newlyweds, and I guarantee you’ll never forget that moment.
You’ll always remember how romantic it felt, just the two of you.
13. Hand out rainbow parasols for outdoor ceremonies
Okay, it doesn’t get any better than this. The idea of giving everyone a parasol is already pretty cool, but adding rainbow colors takes it to the next level!
It’s an awesome way to embrace your LGBTQ wedding and make it fun for everyone.
Even if you’re not part of the LGBTQ community, you can still use this idea to add a pop of color to your ceremony.
And just imagine how much fun your guests will have picking out their favorite parasol color!
14. Sneak in Pride with rainbow bottles at the bar
If rainbow parasols aren’t your thing, try this similar one of my super cool nontraditional wedding ideas. Rainbow drinks.
One of the couples I worked with brought in champagne in every color of the rainbow, and it was such a hit. It’s those little details like this that really make a wedding feel uniquely yours.
15. Give jam as an edible favor
Get creative with your wedding favors! Instead of the usual stuff, why not choose something that’s totally unique and special to you? It doesn’t matter how quirky or unexpected it is.
At some of the weddings I’ve attended, couples have given out things like homemade jams (because they’re big jam fans!) or even non-edible favors like flower seed packets.
These little touches are a beautiful way to show your guests how much you appreciate them in a way that’s one-of-a-kind.
16. Set up Jenga and other games
They say you should just enjoy and have fun at your wedding, but what does that really mean? How do you actually do that? Well, it’s all about going with what sounds fun to you!
If you’re not sure where to start but want to make sure there’s plenty of fun for everyone, I say bring on the games. And since it’s your big day, why not make the games big too?
Check out this giant Jenga tower—it’s a great way to turn your favorite board games into something unique and special.
Final thoughts on these alternative wedding ideas
And there you have it! Feel free to pick one (or more!) of these nontraditional wedding ideas and make them part of your big day. Think about what truly feels like you, and run with it. You can also tweak these ideas to your liking and make them completely your own!
If you love the photos in this post and want to chat about more ideas, get in touch with me here. I’ll be absolutely excited to help!
We can brainstorm ways to create something that feels authentically you, and I’ll make sure you get amazing, one-of-a-kind photos from your epic day!
Read these next:
