How to Plan a Super Unique Wedding Ceremony

If hallmarks of the traditional wedding ceremony, from those expected readings you hear at virtually every wedding, to the lighting of the unity candle, are in no way for you and your boo, then you are probably going to ditch the traditional ceremony route for a more customized ceremony that is hand-tailored to the two of you.

As cool as a custom ceremony sounds, when you sit down to start planning you might actually find that it’s a little overwhelming. What do you include? What should you forget? How should it flow?

The super awesome thing about creating your very own, unique wedding ceremony is that you can do whatever you want. There are no rules to follow. Keep that in mind as your general rule of thumb and planning will be a lot easier. However, if you are stumped and don’t know where to get started, here are some pretty good tips to get you started.

Here’s the bottom line: you can eliminate any tradition that you want from your ceremony. That’s kind of one of the major points of creating your own ceremony, you know? If you don’t want to have readings, a unity ceremony, flowers or even a wedding party, you don’t have to! You are in total control and you can eliminate any of those traditional elements that you want. So, let that idea serve as a good base for planning your unique ceremony.

So, what are some things that you could include in your unique wedding ceremony? That’s a good question. Again, you can add anything that you’d like, but for the sake of making suggestions and setting you off on the right foot, here are some ideas to consider:

You don’t have to have that mundane arrangement of perfectly spaced, straight rows. Consider a different layout. For instance, you could have the chairs organized in a circle or in the shape of a heart that will surround you and your groom. Not only does this type of seating arrangement create an instantly unique vibe, but it also allows all of your guests to have a great view. And, who says you have to have chairs? Benches, sofas, rocking chairs, beach chairs, or any other type of seating can be used.

Forget the flowers and sub something that will last a lifetime. Sure, flowers are nice, but they can be pretty pricey and they wilt and die. Replace cut blooms for an alternative that will last forever; silk flowers, fabric flowers, buttons, or brooches, for example.

Turn a garden into a secret garden by using doors as the backdrop for where you will exchange vows. A display of colorful paper fans hung from the ceiling will add instant interest. Vintage ladders with candles placed on each rung make for an unexpected romantic element. Heck, you could even create a backdrop of vintage license plates if you and your groom are car enthusiasts or big-time road trippers.

Ditch the traditional wedding march and walk down the aisle to your favorite love song. Don't feel limited to classic songs, pick a song that is fun and totally you!

Don’t go too far off the beaten path with the flow of the ceremony; but, don’t be afraid to add some personalization here, too. For example, instead of having a receiving line at the end of the ceremony, you and your groom can welcome guests as they arrive. Or, instead of walking down the aisle during the processional, you could dance or skip. While you don’t have to go with a cookie-cutter flow, if you veer too far off course, you might cause some confusion.