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Original poster

What did you do on your wedding day to make it uniquely yours?

95 replies

NoEffingWay · 05/08/2022 22:09

DP and I are getting married next year, and I'm a bit worried that it's all a bit generic 'nice' wedding.

I have toyed with various ideas but worry they are a bit twee, like having a glitter bar or an ice-cream van for dessert (though would still like ice-cream in my wedding dress!).

What did you do to make the day a bit different from the instagram weddings that all look the same?

OP posts:
Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 05/08/2022 22:12

What's wrong with a 'nice' wedding? We've been married for nearly 40 years and I can remember very little about the wedding. I doubt anyone else can either. The marriage is the most important thing.

However, I suspect this is not what you want to hear, so I'll bow out now.

thefatpotato · 05/08/2022 22:14

We went punting during our drinks reception. Music which was quite special to us.

Otherwise ours was a fairly generic wedding. Married in 2014 and had jam-jar flower arrangements and a cake table with lots of homemade cakes rather than a big fancy wedding cake, both of which were quite 'in' at the time.

Mostly I'm really glad we DIYed a lot and kept costs down as it was a really fun day but I don't think about it very much at all 8 years on!

MolliciousIntent · 05/08/2022 22:15

Specific touches that related to our hobbies - think along the lines of "seating plans written on skateboards" but not that.

Also did the legal ceremony earlier with just a handful of people, then did our own ceremony performed by a friend in front of everyone else where we did rings and vows and stuff.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Weddings
EmmaH2022 · 05/08/2022 22:16

I don't know what a glitter bar is but ice cream van sounds samey.

I think it's unique because of the people.

are you wanting something for photos, for guests, to prevent boredom? Basically be remembered for looking after your guests. Some people do but the ones who don't have ensured I will likely not go to one again.

BarrelOfOtters2 · 05/08/2022 22:17

feed your guests well, lots of drink and a stocking disco should do it. Nothing really stands out for me except weddings where those things didn’t happen.

Louise0701 · 05/08/2022 22:17

The thing is, people will always think things like that are unique but they aren’t.

EmmaH2022 · 05/08/2022 22:17

BarrelOfOtters2 · 05/08/2022 22:17

feed your guests well, lots of drink and a stocking disco should do it. Nothing really stands out for me except weddings where those things didn’t happen.

Stocking disco will def be memorable!

DrinkingAllTheGin · 05/08/2022 22:22

A nod to important literature that both DH and I love.
Not a theme, just hints. Like the font used, a map of the venue, and the confetti cones made from book pages.

Our day was not like the traditional, church/meal/disco format.

We had games in a field after an outdoor ceremony (with food, I know people need food if drinking!). Engaged the guests while we had photo Then we moved on to the main meal.
We also had something to entertain the guests while the room was turned round for the evening.

Oh and as a scout leader, we had a s'mores station.

Lindy2 · 05/08/2022 22:24

The fact that it's you and your DH to be getting married makes your wedding unique to you. The same for your friends and family being there.

There honestly doesn't need to be any fancy twists or unusual special features.

Make sure there's good food, good drink and good company and you're sorted.

StillHappy · 05/08/2022 22:27

My DH and I each invited one witness who brought their partner, we picked four songs between us to be played as we entered and left, and we got the witnesses and a passer-by to take some pictures.

We each went to a pub for a drink beforehand (turned out to be the same pub, but we didn’t sit together), a minute’s walk from the venue. My husband looked wonderful, in his tailored suit, and I was very happy with my dress from a high-street store.

It was a wonderful day. We got to marry each other, had a just the four close friends with us, and then took an Uber home.

I can’t think of anything that could have improved it.

We went on honeymoon the week after, taking a helicopter into Monaco, and spending a week in the Monte-Carlo Bay hotel relaxing together.

Echobelly · 05/08/2022 22:27

Just whatever it is should be 'you'. I got married in a coloured bridesmaid dress and spent more the money on a handmade fascinator and custom shoes. I never wanted to get married in a big dress, because I didn't feel I could move well in one or be comfortable in it, or in white/pale colour, because I would totally spill something on it.

It wasn't for the sake of being 'unique' but it was for the sake of feeling like me, not 'me dressed up as a bride'. Looking like a classic idea of a bride suits many people (like my sister) wonderfully - just not me!

Wbeezer · 05/08/2022 22:29

Nothing, getting married is not a novel or original act and its not really about asserting individuality is it?

Antarcticant · 05/08/2022 22:29

I had a very small wedding. I made my own invitations and cake!

GiantCheeseMonster · 05/08/2022 22:31

Nobody remembers the “unique” bits of weddings. Honestly. They remember if the food was nice, the speeches were good (ie short and lovely for Dad, short and funny for BM) and if there was enough free booze. That’s pretty much it. Save the money you’re planning on fripperies and stick it behind the bar or in the bottles on the tables.

bluesky45 · 05/08/2022 22:33

We had a white bouncy castle at ours. We had a lot of children there, including our own so it got well used by them and also by all the adults too! Loads of photos of lots of men from our families and friends having a flip competition! Just a shame I got ill and couldn't use it myself!

20viona · 05/08/2022 22:35

We had a roulette table because we are massive vegas fans and our cake and table names and favours all had a nod to vegas too. We also had a saxophonist at night which was amazing but it's more common now than it was 5 years ago.

HiKelsey · 05/08/2022 22:36

Each table was a different country and had favours to match the country. So UK had London bus key rings and loose tea in police boxes. And we order fish and chips from our towns best fish and chip shop for the meal 😅 also had a bouncy castle which adults loved more than the children

Louise0701 · 05/08/2022 22:37

@20viona I would say a roulette table is really popular for weddings. The sax player defo is too, like you say. We’ve been to a few weddings with casino set ups.

ODFOx · 05/08/2022 22:39

The most important thing is the ceremony. Beyond that, just make it special for you by choosing guests whom you love, food that you love, music that you love, entertainment that you love, so it is a party which reflects your love for each other on your special day.

It doesn't matter what anyone else has had, what do you imagine at the perfect wedding? Do that.

Offandonagain · 05/08/2022 22:40

Did it in secret with no guests

Forgothowmuchlhatehomeschoolin · 05/08/2022 22:41

Wasn't unique but we put on a free bar all night - people still say now how much they appreciated that

20viona · 05/08/2022 22:42

@Louise0701 Iv just explained that saxophonists are way more popular now. OP asked what we did to make it different, Iv never been to a wedding with roulette so therefore to me it was different (definitely not unheard of). Ice cream van has been at 90% of the weddings Iv been to though.

ClosedAuraOpenMind · 05/08/2022 22:42

got married where no one had got married before (well not since registration began)

recklessgran · 05/08/2022 22:42

We had a jazz band and far too many cocktails. Best night ever. 47 years ago though!

Backtothenineties · 05/08/2022 22:42

ClosedAuraOpenMind · 05/08/2022 22:42

got married where no one had got married before (well not since registration began)

Where did you get married?