Hello! I’m guessing you’re here because you’re planning a wedding. If so, you’re in the right place! Welcome to Unconventional Wedding. We are an alternative wedding directory and blog, dedicated to spreading wedding gorgeousness. We love everything a little bit quirky, creative or just fun!
We love writing about unique weddings, so we thought we’d sum lots of advice up for you in one mega blog. Here’s our 10 ways to have an alternative wedding!
(Feature photo by Kirsty Rockett Photography)
1. Find a unique wedding venue for your wedding day
Your wedding venue determines the vibe of your day. Pick one that represents you and don’t be held back by them being an official wedding venue! You could choose a venue like a museum or a space centre that requires little decoration. You could transform a blank canvas into your wedding dream or simply get married in a field as part of an outdoor wedding! Maybe there’s a venue that means a lot to you, or simply one that makes your heart sing. Need more advice – check out: Top Tips To Making The Most Of A Quirky Wedding Venue
Ami Robertson Photography, Joelle Poulos Photography, Freeform Images, Pudding And Plum Photography
2. Unique wedding themes to make your day awesome
Why not have a themed wedding day? Choosing a theme makes it easier to decide on a colour scheme, decoration and entertainment. Themes are also just really fun! They can be incorporated as much or as little as you like and can reflect your personality as a couple. Contrary to popular belief, themed weddings do not have to be tacky, either. From Star Wars to Fairytale and Great Gatsby to 80s Disco, here’s Our Favourite Themed Wedding Inspiration.
Emma Stokes Photography, Nik Bryant Photography, Andy Douglas Photography, Lina & Tom Photography
3. Be BOLD... rainbow wedding inspiration!
We adore a colourful wedding! Adding splashes of colour is a brilliant way to brighten up your wedding day…the bolder the better! You could focus on one colour or create a stunning rainbow wedding! Need some more inspiration? Check out – How To Create A Unique Rainbow Wedding or Quirky Rainbow Wedding Ideas
Florence Berry Photography, Matt Glover Photography, Stephanie Butt Photography, Goble Photography
4. Create a dream team of Alternative Wedding Suppliers
Wedding suppliers are wonderful creatures. Find the ones that get you and your style – do some digging. If you’re having something specific like a vegan wedding, find suppliers with the same values. When finding a photographer, keep in mind that they all have different styles (Guide To Choosing Your Wedding Photographer) so make sure you chat to them about what you want.
We’re big on supporting independent businesses, so if you have the choice between a corporate chain and an independent creative… we encourage you to choose the independent! Your money goes to growing their business, in turn making their dream a reality! This way, you’ll have real people behind your wedding day that genuinely care about doing the best job possible.
Wedding fairs are the perfect way to meet suppliers face to face and you can have a lot of fun too! We list our favourite ones here!
5. have a unique wedding ceremony with a celebrant
A celebrant is someone that can perform your wedding for you. Although in the UK celebrants cannot (yet!) legally marry you, they have the unique quality of being able to deliver a personalised ceremony. Many couples are choosing to legally marry the day before/after the wedding and have a celebrant on the day. This means you don’t have to go through any legalities on the day and you can have your ceremony exactly the way you want it. Celebrants can combine religious and spiritual beliefs, perform rituals like hand fasting, and some of them might even dress up to match your theme! Different wedding celebrants bring different things and are perfect for an alternative wedding, so here’s our Guide To Having A Celebrant At Your Wedding.
6. Look The Part- Alternative Bridalwear/ Groomswear
The way you dress affects the way you feel. You want to feel like your absolute best self on your wedding day, so don’t settle for less! We’re strong believers in embracing our quirks, so we think an amazing wedding look is one that shows personality! Don’t be afraid to try everything in the shop on and experiment! There is no rulebook- you don’t even have to wear white! We have some awesome advice on How To Find Your Individual Wedding Style!
You might also like: Or Alternative Bridalwear Predictions For 2020 or The Best Unique & Alternative Wedding Dresses
1) Legend Bridal by Emilie May Photography 2) Jackets from Sammy Leas Retro Emporium 3) Cape by Adorn By Ashley, Photo by Birgitta Zoutman Photography 4) Fiona Elizabeth Couture by vicki clayson photography
7. Stand out from the crowd- Alternative Wedding Bouquets are the way forwards!
There are so many ways you can add personality to your wedding look. One of our favourite things are alternative wedding bouquets! The great thing about them is they last forever and can be made with your favourite things! You could have a paper bouquet made from song lyrics, or a crystal/wire bouquet with charms of your favourite things! Felt, buttons, fabric- here’s our Guide To Choosing Your Alternative Wedding Bouquet.
1) CrzyBest bouquet by Indigo & Violet Photography 2) Arlo Arts 3) Charlene Wedding Designs 4) Bouquet Chic Unique
8. Alternative Wedding Entertainment
One of the main things your guests will remember about your wedding is the entertainment. There are so many quirky entertainment options for the same price as conventional entertainment. From gaming arcades to space hoppers and niche bands to palm readers, why not wow your guests? For more inspiration, see: The BEST Alternative Wedding Entertainment.
Have you thought about your first dance yet? Now that could be entertaining! Bring a tear to your guests’ eyes (from laughter or emotion, you choose!) by choreographing your first dance! Maybe you’ve both been wanting to learn salsa, or maybe you want a comedy routine for the bridesmaids. It could be fun! See: How To Make Your First Dance Unique To You.
1) Lawrence Rook 2) Nicki Shea Photography 3) Little Orchard Alpacas by Jon Harper Photography 4) Shimmy School by Nicki Shea Photography
9. Go DIY and call in favours
DIY is a brilliant way to save money and still have an alternative wedding. We forget that so many things can be handmade! There are all sorts of tutorials online, and theres no harm in asking favours from friends. Got a DJ friend? Maybe they’ll sort your music out as a wedding gift. Is your aunty very crafty? See what she can make for you! This will add sentiment to your wedding in heaps and will ensure it’s like no other. You might like: Real DIY Wedding & Money Saving Tips.
10. BE YOU! The most important alternative wedding advice
The most important way to have an alternative wedding is to be true to yourselves. If you don’t like tradition, scrap it! If you don’t want a fancy reception… don’t! There’s often pressure from our ‘money spending’ culture and from families to have a certain kind of wedding. We’re here to inspire you to embrace being yourself on your big day! At the end of the day, what matters is celebrating your love. As long as you’re doing that, the rest doesn’t matter!
Find yourself an awesome wedding supplier
Over on the blog - more unique wedding ideas
Retro Industrial Wedding Ideas
Oh my goodness we are SO excited to share this retro industrial wedding shoot with you! Featuring a real couple in coloured suits, a jaw-dropping flower cape, disco balls, unique props and quirky wedding styling, put simply – it’s friggin’ gorgeous. This one was sent in by Pretty Vintage Hire
Colourful Summer Wedding – Ibiza Festival Fun
Smoke grenades, ribbons, lanterns, candy floss, glitter, fire breathing and a boat bar… What more could you want? This colourful summer wedding is full of Ibiza inspired festival vibes and we’re loving it! Pink Photographics sent us this epic inspiration and if we had to sum it up in one
EPIC Peaky Blinders Wedding – 1920s meets 2020s
Don’t **** with the Peaky Blinders! This shoot is an epic one. This Peaky Blinders wedding is a brilliant ‘1920s meets 2020s’ reimagining of the show and the era. Featuring gangster groomsmen, gorgeous bridesmaids and a 1920s power couple, you’re gonna love this themed wedding inspiration. This shoot was coordinated
Dark Tropical Wedding at Sneaton Castle
Did anyone else join the lockdown house plant craze? We sure did! This dark tropical wedding at Sneaton Castle is lighting up our plant-loving hearts! This shoot, captured by Paylor Photography mixes neon lights with tropical foliage to create a dark and sumptuous wedding scene. These photos prove that you
How To Rock An Alternative Viking Wedding
This alternative Viking wedding is truly BADASS. From an axe-wielding bride to skulls and mountains, this shoot will make you want to elope into the wilderness! This concept for this shoot was (literally) dreamed up by Julie of The Red Rose Cake Company, coordinated by Bouquet & Bells, and photographed
Modern Boho Wedding At Wollaton Hall, Nottingham
Are you looking for bright & fresh wedding inspiration? You’re in the right place! This modern boho wedding at Wollaton Hall is full of bright pops of colour, sleek touches & soft bohemian finishes. These two epic brides, photographed by Pink Photographics are absolutely rocking it. You’re gonna love this