26 Alternative Wedding Ideas That Beautifully Break Tradition

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Want to set the stage for a nontraditional wedding? Start with an out-of-the-box venue!

1. Find an unconventional wedding venue

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If you don't want everyone making a big deal over your wedding, plan it in secret—and then spring the celebration on your guests. Surprise...you're actually at our wedding!!!

2. Throw a surprise wedding

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You know how some people celebrate their birthdays all month long? Do that with your wedding...but pack your festivities into a fun-filled 3-day weekend.

3. Plan an entire wedding weekend

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Bonus points for a waffle wedding cake. And free-flowing mimosas, of course!

4. Host a wedding brunch

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Say your vows in a heart-pumping location like a mountain summit, a cavernous cave, or suspended on a platform between 500-year-old cypress trees.

5. Opt for an adventure wedding

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Or a Tuesday...or a Wednesday... The point is, weekday weddings come with many perks—including lower costs, more availability, a cozier group of guests, and a seriously cool non-traditional factor. 

6. Get married on a Monday

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Escape to Disneyland... and it will look like the most magical day on earth ♥

7. Eff it. Elope!

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Looking for a little razzle dazzle for your wedding? Book a drag queen to be your officiant, emcee the event, or show off their talents as the reception entertainment!

8. Book a drag queen

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Okay, okay… some people may believe this is a kiss of death, but we're hopeless romantics and love the idea of complementary tattoos in lieu of wedding rings. Nothing says "forever" like permanent ink, ya know?

9. Get matching tattoos

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Brides aren't relegated to white dresses, just as grooms don't have to wear tuxedos. Switch it up! From rompers to kilts to sequin jumpsuits—anything goes.

10. Wear what you want

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If you don't already live together, talk with your partner about spending the night together before your wedding day. You may even want to get ready together the next morning. If your partner makes you feel at ease and happy, it makes sense to be around them right before the whirlwind of the wedding begins.

11. Spend the pre-wedding night together

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We love that couples are now opting to include their ride-or-die BFFs in their wedding party regardless of gender identity or expression. From Men of Honor to bridesmates and groomsgirls, anything goes when it comes to your wedding entourage. And this applies to the bach parties, too!

12. Have gender-blind wedding parties

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While we adore the mismatched bridesmaid dresses look and the idea of giving your group the freedom to choose their own attire, we can't help but swoon over how fresh and clean the wedding party looks in white...

13. Let the wedding party wear white

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If the thought of wedding party attire and logistics makes your head spin, don't have one! Make the entire day about the two of you. You can even ask your VIP guests to wear your wedding colors as a symbol of their special place in your hearts. Or just opt for a Dog of Honor and Best Pup!

14. Forgo the wedding party entirely

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Instead of a flower girl, how about confetti men, ring bearer pets, or flower grandmas? Just because we've done something a certain way for a zillion years doesn't mean it has to stay that way! Imagine the surprise and delight your guests will experience when they see your new twist on this tradition coming down the aisle...

15. Rethink the traditional children's roles

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The wedding ceremony is the most tradition-laden part of the day, so don't be afraid to mix things up here. Sing your vows if you're musically inclined, let guests sit wherever they want, walk down the aisle together, hire a celebrity impersonator as your officiant, whatever! To legally tie the knot, you just need your fiancé, an officiant, and a marriage license.

16. Creatively customize your ceremony

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Everything else is fair game.

16. Creatively customize your ceremony

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Flowers are one of those things people "expect" to see at a wedding, so it's fun to find an unexpected alternative. If you love the pop of color flowers impart, opt for colorful ribbons as the backdrop to your ceremony or looped into a bouquet. If you still want something natural, use only greenery or pampas grass.

17. Find alternatives to flowers

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Dried flowers are another great spin on this wedding tradition!

17. Find alternatives to flowers

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Wedding signage is traditionally used to direct guests to the ceremony location or list out signature cocktails...but we're big fans of using them to put your cheeky personalities on full display.

18. Get sassy with your signage

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Don't serve dinner! Instead, host a cocktail-style reception that's heavy on the hors d'oeuvres and drinks. Splurge on several signature cocktails, get a dozen delectable appetizers in rotation, and pass out bite-size desserts. Make it clear on the invitations that there will be "cocktails and hors d'oeuvres to follow" so your guests won't expect a sit-down meal.

19. Host a cocktail party reception

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Food trucks are equal parts fun, flavorful, and festive. Spread out some cozy blankets and floor pillows on the lawn, let your guests grab their food, and host a casual picnic-style reception they won't soon forget.

20. Feed guests with food trucks

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If the idea of a dance floor doesn't thrill you, rent some old-school games and turn your reception into an arcade! Beat your new spouse at Golden Tee or Hoop Shoot, show off your pinball skills, or get nostalgic playing Pac Man. All kids—young and old—will have a blast.

21. Play arcade games at your reception

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If your idea of a good time is a music fest under the stars, throw a festival-inspired reception. Wear flower crowns, set up yurts, play lawn games, and book an epic live band to bring the house down.

22. Party down "festival style"

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Do something really delightful and unexpected instead of the traditional tiered cake. What about a cotton candy machine? Instead of feeding each other cake, feed each other a big piece of fluff. Your guests will enjoy mingling as they walk around with this portable spun-sugar snack. They're also great as a cloud-like topper on your signature cocktails! 

23. Offer a new take on wedding cake

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Here's an idea: Have your wedding guests put notes, predictions, and polaroid pictures into a lockbox that you and your spouse will open on your first anniversary. Opening this up one year later will take you right back to your wedding day, and can take place of the "eat the top tier of your cake" tradition!

24. Make a time capsule "guest book"

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Though the pre-wedding bash is a long-established tradition, remember that it really only has one prerequisite: it follows the wedding rehearsal. Instead of making it a formal affair, consider hosting one that's fresh and unexpected....like a pool party with beer and barbecue!

25. Throw a welcome pool party

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It used to be that you got married, woke up the next day with your newly-minted spouse, and immediately jetted off to your honeymoon. But nowadays it's all about the latermoon! Weddings are expensive enough, so don't hesitate to wait a few months—or even years—to enjoy a post-wedding getaway.

26. Take a latermoon

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Learn more about how to organize a dream wedding and not go crazy

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