Your wedding is one of the most meaningful days of your life. So, why not make it as uniquely you as possible? Sure, we know that specific wedding traditions have their place. But not every wedding has to follow the same formula. Our most memorable weddings to coordinate have been the ones where our couples let their personalities shine through the details. We encourage you to think beyond color schemes and seating charts. Think about those unexpected touches, those little built in elements that say, this is SO us. It’s these moments that make your wedding truly unforgettable.
Here are our favorite ways to weave the unexpected (but totally you) details into your wedding design, without going over the top or losing sight of the big picture.
START AT YOUR LOVE STORY.
Let YOUR LOVE story inspire the theme. Your relationship has a story. Every relationship has its origin story. Did you meet in college? Then, incorporate nods to your alma mater in your decor or signage. Did you have your first date at a pizza shop? Maybe set up a wood-fired slice station during your cocktail hour. Are you and your partner obsessed with hiking or road trips? Use maps, travel tags, or trail markers as your table numbers. Remember that designing a wedding doesn’t just mean it needs to be beautiful. It needs to also feel personal. You want your guests to walk in and say, “This is SO them.” And if they do that? You know you’ve nailed it.
PERSONALIZE YOUR CEREMONY SPACE.
The ceremony space is the first thing your guests will see upon arrival. It is also the heart, the basis of your wedding day. So why not make it feel uniquely yours? Instead of the standard arch or floral setup, consider:
Think about….a circle of florals symbolizing eternity and unity. Or a custom-built backdrop painted or designed to reflect your favorite place or memory. You’ll want to include meaningful heirlooms, fabrics, and symbolic items from your culture or history.
PLAY WITH THE UNEXPECTED
We love the unexpected. Don’t feel limited by the typical blush, gold, white, and green wedding palettes. Think about the colors that speak to you – not just on Pinterest. Do you love moody tones? Then lean into deep emerald, plum, and rust. Are you and your partner all about bold and bright energy? Then try cobalt blue with hot pink and sunny orange. Or if you prefer neutrals, add texture and metallic accents to keep things exciting. Having an unexpected color palette doesn’t mean clashing. It means designing a palette that surprises and delights you while feeling cohesive.
INFUSE YOUR PERSONALITY
You can infuse you and your partner's personality into your wedding attire. Wedding day fashion doesn’t have to be traditional. It just has to be true to who you are. We love fun and unexpected fashion ideas. Have you thought about a colored wedding dress? Who doesn’t love a little pop of blush, blue, or green? You can also add personality into your suit or dress with custom embroidery inside. Or are you an accessory fan? Add matching leather jackets, denim, or sneakers for your reception. Are you blending two different cultures? Then add cultural elements to give a nod to your families and traditions and think of fun ways to intertwine them. Encourage your wedding party to reflect their own style too. Mismatched outfits, bold accessories, and fun footwear can bring individuality to a group look.
GET CREATIVE WITH YOUR SIGNAGE
Wedding signage is the perfect place to sprinkle in your humor, preferences, heart, or a touch of sass. Think beyond the basic, unplugged ceremony, cocktail napkins, and seating charts. And get creative! Here are some of our favorite ideas:
“No Phones, Just Vibes”
Cocktail napkins with your dogs faces
A custom seating chart designed like a bookshelf or passport board
Or interactive seating charts that reveal a picture
Signs can help set the tone for your style. Think about details that can be incorporated to celebrate who you and your partner are.
RETHINK THE GUEST EXPERIENCE:
Don’t forget about your guests. You want to think about how your guests will experience your wedding from the day of arrival, to the last dance. Find ways to delight them. Things guests love that are unexpected:
Live ceremony or reception music to get them ready to dance and groove
Interactive food stations, such as dumpling folding, s’mores fire pit, or build your own taco bar
Create a custom scent or essential oil blends that guests can associate with your wedding day
Polaroid or video confession booths in lieu of the traditional guest book.
You want your wedding day to not just be about watching your love story unfold, but you want your guests to feel a part of your wedding day.
DESIGN A RECEPTION SPACE WITH A WOW FACTOR
We love a good wow factor. Whether your reception space is in a ballroom, backyard, or barn, there are many ways to make your reception stand out. Use unexpected lighting, such as string lights, lanterns, neon signs or candles in creative ways. Talk to your planner or florist about ceiling installations. Think outside of the box for statement tablescapes. Bring on the velvet runners, mixed vintage glassware, or themed centerpieces built on things you and your partner love and enjoy. And our personal fav, set up cozy concerns with rugs, pillows, and vintage furniture. The goal isn’t just to decorate. It’s to create an atmosphere that reflects who you are.
Whatever you decide, think about what makes you, you and lean into it. The most memorable weddings aren’t always the most extravagant, they are the most honest and vulnerable. When your wedding feels like a reflection of your spirit, people remember it for life. So, in a world full of cookie-cutter weddings, yours should feel like a breath of fresh air. By adding unexpected touches (but totally you) details into your wedding design, you’re not just planning a party, you’re telling a story. Let go of what you think weddings should look like or are expected. Create something real. Something bold. And something that could only belong to you and your partner.
Lori Losee is the owner of Elegant Affairs, a Tacoma Wedding Planner with over 19 years of experience. We create awe-inspiring experiences—Events filled with meaning and refined elegance. Behind the scenes, our experienced team collaborates on each stage of the process, executing your vision and a wedding, celebration, or corporate event that is unique to you.