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You don’t like to be like everybody else, you feel like your relationship and your beliefs don’t fit into the traditional wedding norms, you have an unusual family dynamic, you came from another culture, or you just simply want to be different and stand out.

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I can for sure say that my wedding did not happen in a traditional way.

After getting an appointment at the courthouse, we had 3 days to get everything we needed. Rings, dress and suite, a simple bouquet, cake from Costco and a bottle of champagne. My soon-to-be-husband, Adam was working on our wedding day. I went to the hairdresser, got ready at home and met him at the park for the first look. Then we got in the car and drove to the courthouse. Adam’s family and our witnesses where the only guests there. After signing the Marriage License we went over to Adam’s parents house to celebrate with a few of his friends.

 

 

I can also call it elopement if I want to feel fancy, but it really wasn’t that glamorous. Definitely romantic, but not glamorous. We were just two people madly in love, who wanted to stay together. But in order to do that, we had to get married, Fast!

We didn’t care about centerpieces, choosing the right venue, how big should our guest list be, what to serve for dinner or what our cake looked like. We didn’t care about the playlist, first dance song, writing vows, dress fitting, and whatever else comes with the “best-day-of-my-life” planning.

So what do you care about and what would you ditch?

These days you can call anything “non-traditional” that is not following the traditional way of getting married. It can be as little as wearing a colorful dress or skipping the bouquet toss. Or as big as changing the whole event! Maybe choosing a crazy unique venue or theme.

If I could have a do-over (which I dream about every time a have the honor or being at somebody’s wedding) we would probably have some crazy, non-traditional or multi-traditional celebration… In Italy. (Because that’s where we met.) I will for sure involve my parents and siblings, since they couldn’t be with me when I got married. I would of course have our daughters be part of it too. They are the fruit of our relationship. And that’s all that matters. Everything else are just details.

 

 

Ok, enough of me. What is your reason of wanting to have a non traditional wedding?

I think you need to start with this question and after figuring that out, you can decide which traditions to keep, what to ditch, and what new ideas to bring in. Because those can be your own traditions that you as a couple get to celebrate and pass along to your children.  

Did you know that one of the Hungarian traditions is that a group of men will steal the bride on the wedding day? Or that after midnight the bride will change into a red dress, symbolizing that now she has become a married women? (And yes, we do party until the sun comes up.) Just to give you some ideas…

 

 

Here are a few other alternative ways to celebrate your love:

1. Colorful, floral and ombre wedding dresses are becoming very trendy.
2. Hire a mobile caterer and food truck. Make sure the food is a reflection of what you and your fiancee enjoy eating.
3. Have a tasty dessert bar, cupcakes, donuts, macarons or ice cream, instead of the traditional wedding cake.
4. Find a unique ceremony location that is meaningful for you and your fiancee.
5. Have your gift registry for some kind of experience, like cooking or dancing class.
6. If you and your fiancee love to create, consider making a DIY decor for your venue. Guests love that and it’s also a great way to spend quality time together.

 

Remember! You don’t have to do something just because that’s the way it has been done or because that’s what suits others. Styles, trends will change and you want to look back at your photos feeling all the emotions and fun you had. Not what color or decor was popular that year.

 

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Your big day is to celebrate you and your fiancee, and it’s the reflection of who you are as a couple and what do you care about. Don’t follow any wedding traditions unless it is important or meaningful for you. And if others don’t get it, that’s ok!