Here Are 9 (Not Cheesy) Special Touches For Your Wedding Day
If you’re anything like me, a lot of the wedding traditions are absolute cringe. I’ve seen some that make me want to gag, like that one couple that did the dollar dance, but their family made them grab the dollars WITH THEIR MOUTHS.
EWW.
But it doesn’t have to be like that, right? RIGHT! You’ve probably heard (read) me say it a million times and here is the millionth and one: You can do whatever the hell you want on your wedding day! For the majority of humans, their wedding day might be the biggest party they throw in their whole lives. And if you’re gonna do it, why not do it big?
And I don’t mean “big” like spend thousands of dollars you can’t afford. I mean “big” like with emotions and intention. Infuse the day with you and your partner’s personality and relationship. Below, you’ll see examples of special touches on the wedding day, but feel free to make up your own, okay?
Write a sweet letter
Writing a sweet letter, sharing with your partner why you’re marrying them, is a wonderful way to set the tone for the day. Sometimes, people even read them around the corner from one another, which is also a very sweet touch. All that matters is building the excitement for the next time you see each other!
I love this photo because Katie couldn’t stop tearing up at all the sweet words Maegan shared with her. It was such a beautiful moment, one of many on a truly spectacular day!
Custom Gifts
A beautiful custom gift, like these cuff links with the specific ceremony time (and also an inside joke), is a fantastic gift. The groom, Josh, put them on immediately after.
Ideas For Custom Wedding Day Gifts
- Jewelry
- Cuff links
- Ties
- Hankies
- Flasks
Bring your dog!!
I love dogs at weddings, as long as they actually listen! haha! What a fun way to include your whole family into the experience! Not all dogs do well in events like weddings, but there are amazing companies like The Wedding Pet Attendant, who will show up and help with your pet the WHOLE day!
Make sure the venue allows it though. Not all of them allow pets!
Get ready together!
This is generally an activity only LGBT+ couples do, because a lot of hetero couples tend to focus on traditions, but I love this. It’s such an intimate feel, helping one another get ready for the big moment.
Of course, you can’t do a first look at this point. However, I think sometimes it’s a decent trade, not missing a moment together.
This goes without saying, but your wedding won’t be missing something even if you don’t get ready together!
Matching Outfits
It looks so clean and beautiful when everyone is wearing beautiful satin robes. Look at this photo! Everyone looks so posh and no one will regret wearing their ratty high school t-shirt with holes in them!
This is certainly one of my favorite special touches on the wedding day to see during getting ready. And it doesn’t have to be robes—it could be shirts, slippers, or even whole outfits (pajamas are common).
Late night snack!
You know what goes well with an open bar? A LATE NIGHT SNACK! Your friends will absolutely love you for thinking of their achy alcohol belly, trust me! I never get to eat these kind of noshes (I miss you Whataburger), but I know the guests always really appreciate it!
My clients chose biscuit sandwiches from Whattaburger as their late snack. Let’s just say they didn’t last long!
Some late snack ideas:
- Whattaburger
- Pretzels
- Donuts
Temporary Tattoos
Okay, hear me out…but really, this was a genius idea one client had for a special touch on their wedding day. You best believe I used these AND put their faces on my face. So did other guests!
Beer Donkeys
If you didn’t know beer donkeys are a thing, well, now you do! I’ve seen beer donkeys become more and more popular, especially for cocktail hours. I mean, what guest wouldn’t love a sort-of petting zoo carrying around booze?
If the idea makes you smile, then you might want to consider one! You only need them for like an hour, during your cocktail hour, so why not splurge a little and serve drinks in style?
Married Llamas
Okay, if beer donkeys got you excited, then these bride and groom ilamas are going to LIGHT YOU UP. I thought these were the absolute cutest thing and as you can tell, my bride Janna felt the exact say way!
This is another amusing feature for your upcoming cocktail hour. Imagine the photos and memories your guests will cherish and rave about for years to come!
Have a dessert bar
Not everyone loves cake and that’s alright! Nowadays, especially with food allergies, it’s becoming more popular to have a dessert bar in addition to the cake. Or forego the cake all together.
Desserts To Add To A Dessert Bar
- Donuts
- Pie
- Cookies
- Candy
Wrapping Up
As you can see, the options for adding special touches to your wedding day is close to being endless. These are just a handful of examples I’ve seen in the hundreds of weddings I’ve photographed.
I’m a big fan of weddings with intention, so adding little things here and there really make the event pop. Have any of these spurred you into inspiration? I hope so!
