Creative Ways to Personalize Your Wedding Ceremony

The altar will be the focal point for your ceremony, so it makes sense you’d make it a statement piece of your ceremony décor. The options for dressing up your wedding arch are pretty endless, from paper flowers or streamers to vintage doors or a wall of succulents or paper chains. You can even reuse it as a pretty backdrop for your photo booth or behind your cake table at your reception.

String quartets, harps and organs are all traditional choices for your wedding ceremony music, but just because the instruments are classical doesn’t mean the songs have to be. Ask your musicians about playing instrumental versions of your favorite popular songs for a creative touch, like a piano solo of John Legend’s “All of Me” or a classical rendition of a rock ballad like “Wonderwall” by Oasis. You can also incorporate a nod to your cultural background or your wedding theme through music with a steel-drum band, bagpiper or a gospel choir to serenade your guests before your arrival, or have a surprise musical act start off your processional.

Looking for your “something borrowed?” Use a family heirloom, like your grandmother’s handkerchief or brooch, to accessorize your bouquet wrap.

Evoke all the senses at your ceremony by choosing an herb, like rosemary, thyme or sage, for your bouquet or for ceremony aisle markers. We know one couple who even burned lavender incense for their outdoor ceremony.

Add a pocket for tissues to your programs so guests are prepared for those happy tears. Or pass out monogrammed packs of travel-size tissues or embroidered handkerchiefs with a sweet note.

Have your programs do double-duty. Beyond listing the order of events, add a fun interactive element to them. If it’s an outdoor wedding, make the programs fans to keep guests cool. If your wedding vibe is more playful, add a Mad Lib or crossword using fun facts. We’ve even seen caricature illustrations of the bridal party and packets of glitter to toss during the exit!

There’s nothing like childhood photos to stir up nostalgic feelings in your guests (and maybe a few chuckles). Photos from your parents or grandparents’ weddings or of deceased family members are also great ways to honor your loved ones. Hang some of your favorite memories above your guest book or find a table near the entrance of the ceremony space.

Provide your youngest guests with quiet toys or coloring books. Not only will it keep them occupied throughout the ceremony, but it may also make for a cute photo op!

Small tokens can go a long way in making your guests feel comfortable and taken care of. No one likes to squint, so if it’s a sunny outdoor ceremony, give out colorful parasols or sunglasses. If the weather is crisp, opt for shawls.

Serve up lemonade in big glass jars or water in pretty crystal glasses to quench guests’ thirst. Offer steaming cups of hot cocoa in the winter.

This will only work in an outdoor setting or an indoor venue that allows it, but if you couldn’t imagine this important moment without your dog, have your dog take part in the ceremony. Have him walk down the aisle or simply greet guests at the door. With a few fresh flowers around the collar or even a preppy bow tie, your pet makes a cute and cuddly non-human attendant.

Once you’re officially married, it’s time to make your way to the reception. While you could easily just hop into a limo with your bridal party, why not try a more exciting mode of transportation? Your guests will never expect you and your new spouse to hop on a tandem bike! Or hire a driver and a vintage car of your choice, like a Rolls-Royce Phantom, to take you to the reception.