After working with more couples than I can count, I know one thing for sure: every couple is entirely unique in their own way. They all have different how-we-met stories, with some swiping right on each other, some who meet up in a foreign country while traveling, and even some who grew up as neighbors. They all have preferred date nights and their own mutual interests. For every couple who loves the life of adventure; climbing mountains, camping for weeks, and the occasional skydive, there’s a couple who loves lounging on a couch together, reading books to each other, sipping a glass of wine. Every mutual sense of humor, approach to comforting each other, and ways to love one other are so vastly unique from any other couple. Every couple is freakin amazing in their own way. And that’s why their weddings should be a beautiful representation and summary of who they are.

What makes your relationship unique?

So it’s time to start wedding planning! And it’s overwhelming! You have to think about colors, venues, vendors, and CUFFLINKS. Have you ever thought about cufflinks in your entire life? Probably not. The list is endless and jumping in can be daunting, especially when you want to plan something a little unconventional.

The most crucial part is to think about what makes you tick as a couple. It’s an infinite amount but here’s a list of questions to start with:

• On a day off, what is your favorite thing to do?
• What music speaks to you?
• Where was the best place you vacationed?
• What are your favorite food or drinks?
• How have you decorated your home?
• Think of the place you hang out the most – what is the vibe of it?
• How do others describe you as a couple?

Once you have it down and have a solid idea, move onto the next step!

Harness the power of Pinterest

But HOLD UP! Don’t look up anything wedding related. Nothing. Resist the temptation. Instead, you’re going to make a new board, name it “GIANT BEAUTIFUL MESS”, and then go absolutely crazy pinning things that inspire you as a couple. Search tattoos, artwork, architecture, clothes, fonts, travel, snacks, landscape photos, tiny snow-globes, home decor, textiles, ANYTHING, and pin everything that you connect with. After awhile, scroll through the giant beautiful mess of a board you’ve created. You will start to notice some patterns. You’ll see colors you love, your favorite kinds of textures, and your own personal style right in front of you. This gives you a solid idea of the potential look and feel of your wedding day.

Speaking as a wedding vendor, most of us, at our core, are creatives. We love to make art and to create something perfect for every individual couple’s vision. Vendors are there to help you brainstorm ideas, and put those ideas into action. From the flowers, to the wedding dress, to the music the DJ mixes, every part of the wedding can be personalized into something amazing, and most importantly, YOU. Never be afraid to be yourself with your vendors and talk to them as friends. Like friends, we are here for you every step of the way and are always happy to offer advice and opinions if you’re looking for them. We want to establish a bond of trust, and to get to know you personally in order to make something you absolutely love.

Think outside the box

A bit cliche? Absolutely. But the possibilities for weddings are endless. I’ve seen weddings at Hard Rock Cafes, in an airport, in a treehouse, at breweries, in a zoo, and even on a net thousands of feet off the ground over a canyon. There is so much outside the typical country club, and if you’re not the country club type of couple, you don’t need to be. You can get married almost anywhere! If you’re not a massive fan of the typical stuffed chicken or salmon, you can get ANY kind of food you want! Get food trucks or a pig roast. Order some pizza. I’ve even seen a wedding that was fed entirely with Chipotle! Explore online shops or small boutiques for wedding dresses- there are SO many options out there that will give you something a bit more one-of-a-kind than the mass-produced David’s Bridal dresses. You’re bound to find something that truly reflects you and makes you feel completely yourself when you put it on. Dive into the music you both jam to to pick out the songs that will play. I had a couple once who was torn between making their first dance song something recognizable or a song that was deeply personal to them. They picked the second and there was not a dry eye in the room.

Break traditions that don’t resonate with you

The great thing about weddings is that there are no rules!  Well, other than getting married of course. Weddings have been around for a LONG time, and in that time they’ve accumulated so many traditions. You may not be feeling some of them. That’s okay! Think the garter/bouquet toss is a little weird? Toss it out. Don’t like cake? Eat some pie! Or cookies. Or s’mores. Or a pile of gummy worms. Kind of tempted to roll up the aisle in a go-kart? Go for it. Are you kind of a tomboy and not really into wedding dresses? Jump into a jumpsuit. Be comfy! Here’s a huge tradition-breaker that eases the nerves: get ready with your soon-to-be husband or wife in the morning. Make your dog the ringbearer. Grandma as the flower girl. Wear a printed suit. The possibilities are endless. Granted, there may be a huge amount of pressure to keep things traditional. I totally understand. But at the end of the wedding day, friends and family will say “that was SO them!” 

Good luck and may your wedding day kick ass!