Wedding planning is supposed to be fun – so why is it always billed as being such a chore? Indeed, over half of betrothed couples report finding the process of planning a wedding stressful, usually because of the immense pressure they put themselves under.
It’s easy to see why it’s so tough to plan a wedding if you visit a wedding fair. All of these events include hundreds of choices to be made, each with potentially sky-high costs, but also with the promise that they will transform your special day. Decisions, decisions…
The average wedding costs £18,400 and can take months – or even years – to plan and execute. So, while it might just be one day, a wedding can quickly get out of control and take over your life.
Making things simpler is the key to enjoying a fun planning process, while still trying to get the perfect day that encapsulates your love for your future spouse.
Still, simple weddings won’t always cut it, particularly if you’ve booked your big day in the heart of wedding season, when your guests will be attending multiple soirees across the warmer months.
If that’s the case, then you’ll need to come up with a way to plan an unforgettable wedding, which is also simple and doesn’t require a lot of your hard-earned money or valuable time.
To help, here are some unique wedding planning ideas that are easy to manage and can transform any day into a truly spectacular event you’ll be proud of.
Pick A Properly Focused Theme
The theme of any wedding is love- right? Not always! You can also consider another theme for your special day to make it suit your tastes. From colour schemes to pop culture, bohemian to Christmas, there’s a wedding theme to suit every couple. Having a theme will make it easier for you to coordinate your décor, entertainment, food and every other aspect of the wedding so that everything looks perfect together.
For couples that want to stand out from the crowd and pull their wedding into sharp focus, an inventive theme can be an easy way to do just that, without putting in too much hard work or splashing the cash too freely!
Some unique, interesting wedding day theme ideas include:
- Rustic Bohemian: A mix of earthy colours, natural textures, and free-spirited bohemian vibes (though perhaps so free-spirited that the bride and groom end up copping off with someone else).
- Enchanted Forest: Imagine saying your vows under a canopy of trees, with mystical touches like fairy lights, whimsical lanterns, and a natural colour palette.
- Vintage Travel: A nod to the old-world charm of travel, with vintage suitcases, passports, and globes as decor.
- Industrial Chic: An edgy urban vibe that mixes raw concrete, exposed brick, and metal accents with soft lighting and intimate details.
- Fairytale Romance: A celebration of true love with a magical ambience, including castle-like architecture, ivy-covered arches, and ethereal florals.
- Nautical Grace: A seaside celebration that captures the essence of the sea, featuring a navy and white colour scheme, nautical decor, and ocean-inspired accents.
- Art Deco Glam: A nod to the roaring twenties, with luxurious details like crystal chandeliers, art deco patterns, and glamorous sequins.
- Wild West: A rustic, relaxed affair inspired by the American West, featuring cowboy boots, leather accents, and a country-chic colour scheme. All Colt 45’s to be handed in at the door.
- Medieval Romance: A celebration fit for a prince and princess, with castle-like decor, royal colours, and elegant details inspired by the Middle Ages. Sick buckets for those who have overindulged are optional.
Put Your Guests To Work
Many weddings are all about a certain ostentatious display of luxury, and often have table service to make your guests’ lives easier. While this can be interesting and stylish, it can get a bit boring, especially for attendees who’ve been to a lot of weddings recently. Instead, consider putting your guests to work with a DIY meal, like a taco bar or a make-your-own pizza station.
You could also consider doing the same at the bar, and encouraging your guests to help themselves and use their creativity to craft unique cocktails. It won’t work for a high-end wedding, but for a more relaxed and relatable affair, this can be a fun way to engage with your guests and give them unique memories.
Choose Inventive Entertainment
Wedding entertainment is not just about the archaic traditions of dancing, eating, and drinking. In today’s day and age, guests expect more than just the mundane activities. Couples are now looking for ways to keep their guests engaged and entertained throughout the event.
A great way to do this is by adding alternative entertainment options. Whether it’s a photo booth, a live painter, or even a wedding magician, these non-traditional activities are not only a great way to keep guests entertained but also make for unforgettable memories.
Want to go even further? Consider adding an aerialist, fire performer, or even a tarot card reader to the mix. These options are sure to add a unique and exciting element to your big day, leaving your guests raving about your wedding long after it’s over.
Read: Top tips for choosing the best wedding band for your big day
Make Memories With A Personal Piñata
An inventive alternative to a guest book, and one which will help you to make memories at future anniversary parties, is a personal piñata. Simply find your favourite piñata, but make sure it’s empty. Put it out on a table at the wedding, with a notepad and pen, and invite your guests to write down their memories from your special day. They can then put them into the piñata, which you and your spouse will keep for a year.
On your first anniversary, host a party and smash the piñata, then read all the amazing comments, advice and wishes from the guests at your wedding. It doesn’t take much to set up, but this can have a real impact on your wedding and help you to celebrate both now and later. Using a piñata instead of a guest book is also a fun way to get everyone involved (and save time when planning your first anniversary celebration, too!).
Just Elope!
If all else fails, and you can’t find a way to plan the perfect spectacular wedding day within your budget, and without tearing your hair out, then you could just elope. A low-budget, simple wedding can be just as fun as a big-budget affair, especially if you’re surrounded by your loved ones and in a unique setting. Eloping can be a simple way to strip your wedding back to basics, and make it entirely about you and the one you love.
There are so many stunning venues to elope to around the world, so consider where you’d like to go, gather up a few close friends and set off! While it won’t be the big, bold wedding you thought it would be, you can still have a great time, without the stress. You’ll also be able to save loads of cash for the honeymoon: that’s the most important part, after all!
The Bottom Line
Every couple will have their own style, tastes and expectations, so no two weddings are ever the same. Still, guests might find it all starts to blur into one after a while, so standing out from the crowd is crucial. So too is staying sane, and that means planning a simple, yet unique wedding ceremony that suits you and your partner. The options in this list are all designed to be as simple and effective as possible, and you can customise most of them to suit your tastes. Whatever you choose, we hope you have an amazing wedding!