SOMETHING NEW
Our Favorite Alternative Wedding Ceremony Ideas
Your ceremony is one of the most intimate moments on your wedding day. Although it may not feel like it with 50-250 of your closest friends and family watching, it is the moment that you get to say “I do” to your person for life.
Now don’t get us wrong, we love a traditional ceremony, but your wedding should always embody you as a couple, so finding ways to personalize this moment is a necessary part of the planning process! We’ve listed seven of our favorite alternative ceremony ideas, from sizing down your ceremony guest list to literally tying a knot.
Keep scrolling to find out more.
1.SMALL CEREMONY, BIG RECEPTION
If you are stuck between having a micro wedding to keep things intimate or a major party with all your loved ones, consider opting for two separate guest lists. This way, you can create a much smaller ceremony with your VIPs to make it extra special, and then celebrate with everyone in the evening for the reception party of your dreams!
It’s your special day, so give yourself the best of both worlds.
2.NON-TRADITIONAL OFFICIANT
We’re here for family or friends officiating the big day. This is an easy way to give your ceremony that extra special touch. Maybe an aunt, the person who introduced you two, or even a best friend—as long as they are ready and willing to take on the responsibility of the officiant’s duties.
But make sure it's legal, eagle! To be legally married in the state of Tennessee, your officiant must be a religious official or certain government official. So double check the details to ensure you're following the right steps to make it official before you pop the champagne. Our suggestion? Have a separate, small ceremony with an authorized official prior to the big day.
3.PERSONALIZED UNITY CEREMONIES
Have fun with the unity ceremony and put your own spin on the tradition. While many unity ceremonies have religious origins — from lighting a candle to pouring out sand — they are easily adaptable if you want to incorporate one into a secular ceremony.
Brittany and Brandon put their own spin on the traditional unity candle ceremony by including all of their guests, too. Once the couple lights their own candles, they each light someone's in the front aisle. Each guest then passes the flame down the row. We love how this includes every guest in the ceremony.
Photography by Ali Bonomo
Are you a proud plant parent? Pot a plant with your soil-mate! Similar to a candle or sand ceremony, the couple pots a plant or tree together by each pouring their own soil to symbolize their union. Then they take the plant home and watch the it grow alongside their relationship. If opting for a tree, use a pot for the ceremony and plant in the ground once you've settled into your forever home.
There are a ton of other ways you can put your own twist on this timeless tradition. For the art lovers, pour paint on a canvas. For the wine lovers, pour wine and create your own blend. Science enthusiasts? Create a wedding-safe chemical reaction in a beaker.
Get creative! The options are endless.
Photo by Taylor N. Photography
4.NON-TRADITIONAL WEDDING VOWS
Traditional wedding vows can be traced back to 1549 in Thomas Cranmer’s The Book of Common Prayer and are still used today. Although the meaning behind the original words stands true, you might be looking for a more secular alternative or just some ideas on how to customize traditional vows to better suit you and your partner.
Writing your own vows entirely can take the intimacy of your ceremony to the next level and will often bring lots of tears and laughter. If you aren't sure where to start, find inspiration in your favorite movie or tv show. Grey's Anatomy, Corpse Bride, and Wedding Crashers are just a few examples of personalized alternatives to the traditional "to have and to hold." Books, music, and poems are also great sources of inspiration.
If you're overwhelmed by the idea of writing your own vows, that's okay! Give someone special the honor of writing them.
5.WINE CEREMONY
This uncommon ceremony alternative might be one of our favorites! A wine box ceremony is a ritual in which a bottle of wine is enclosed in a box during the ceremony, so that it can be opened by the couple at a later date.
Some couples may want to include love letters or other personal reminders from the wedding day to add that extra special touch.
6.CEREMONY MUSIC
Music is one of our favorite ways to personalize a ceremony. This is Music City after all! Do you and your partner share a favorite band? What about the first show you ever went to together? There are a multitude of reasons you could choose to incorporate certain songs into your ceremony.
You can also have the best of both worlds. Keep the processional classic and end the ceremony with a killer song choice that will have guests ready for the reception. Some unique recessional songs from our real couples include the Star Wars Throne Room theme song, "Grove St. Party" by Waka Flocka Flame, and "Miracles Happen" by Mya from the Princess Diaries.
7.WALKING DOWN THE AISLE
Have your ceremony your way, starting from the very beginning. Along with the music, you can personalize who walks down the aisle and how! One of our favorite alternatives to tradition is letting every individual have their moment to shine instead of the wedding party entering in gendered pairs.
When it's time for you to walk down the aisle, you also have options. Maybe you don't have a father figure or you're uncomfortable being given away by one, consider walking down the aisle with both parents, a mother figure, going solo, or walking down with a group of loved ones.
Photography by Erin Fox Photo
For more ideas on how to put your spin on wedding traditions, click here to read about ways other couples are breaking tradition.
