There are so many awesome ways to add personal touches to your wedding so that it actually feels like you. (And not some copy-and-pasted version of a Pinterest-perfect wedding because what’s the fun in that?!)
And after photographing hundreds of weddings for some seriously cool humans, I’ve seen some stupidly cool ideas from my couples that have personalized everything from extra-special vow vibes to fun as hell wedding signage.
So here are 19 ideas for personal wedding touches to get your creative juices flowing.
Fun Getting Ready Ideas for Your Wedding Morning
If you want some fun wedding ideas that kick off right from the morning of… Here’s how to personalize your wedding from minute one.
1. Keep the Morning Casual AF
Not every getting-ready space needs to be matching silk robes and charcuterie boards (although if that’s your vibe, rock ON).
If your ideal pre-wedding morning is everyone in mismatched PJs, Taylor Swift blasting so loud the neighbors might complain, and your crew making Pop-Tarts in the toaster while your friends are gluing on lashes in the bathroom… DO. THAT.
2. Private Card Exchange
If you’re not feeling those public vows, you can still make each other ugly cry (in the best possible way) in private.
Write letters to each other the night before and swap ’em during the getting ready part of the day. You can read them alone or sitting back-to-back with your partner on opposite sides of a door (this one makes for some cute AF photos).
Oh, and pro tip: 10/10 recommend waterproof mascara for this one. Trust me.
3. Recreate a Ridiculous Childhood Photo
Time to dig through those dusty photo albums! Find that photo of you doing a ridiculous pose for your parents, or the one where you’re grinning with popsicle juice dripping down your chin. And then recreate it. In your full wedding day fits.
Bonus points if your sibling was in the original and you rope them into the recreation too. Your grandma will absolutely lose her mind when she sees it printed and framed at the reception. (Also, it’s a freaking hilarious addition to your wedding album.)
Wedding Personal Touches for the Ceremony
4. Skip the Officiant (Yes, For Real)
When you’re figuring out how to personalize your wedding, one of the most badass, non-traditional wedding ceremony ideas is to ditch the officiant altogether.
A lot of couples don’t know this is even a legal option, but in Pennsylvania (hey local peeps!), self-uniting ceremonies are totally allowed. It’s an especially rad idea for couples who want to keep things intimate, do things their own way, or just don’t vibe with the officiant setup.
5. Tie the Knot (Literally) with a Ribbon Ceremony
A ribbon ceremony (sometimes called handfasting) is when you and your partner have your hands tied together with a ribbon or a piece of fabric (usually by someone you love) during the ceremony. It can be colorful ribbons, made from old t-shirts, whatever you like. And yes, it looks cool as hell in photos.
It’s a fun way to personalize your wedding that’s simple, meaningful, and not another thing to rent.
6. Soil Unity Ritual
If you’re into wedding personal touches that actually mean something, this one’s literal. One of my couples brought soil from each of their childhood homes and combined it into a single plant during their ceremony. Like (!!!) It was such a sweet way to show two families putting down roots together.
7. Let the Groom (or Anyone) Have a Moment Too
The walk down the aisle isn’t just for one person. If both of you want to make an entrance—do it.
One of the best non traditional wedding party ideas I’ve seen lately? A surprise entrance from the partner who’s usually already waiting up front. Same music, full strut, everyone cheering.
It’s totally not about “flipping the tradition.” It’s about doubling the fun.
8. Flower Girl Grandma. That’s It. That’s the Idea.
There’s a 98% chance you’ve seen this already, and a 100% chance it’s still a banger idea.
Whether it’s your grandma, your great aunt, or your partner’s mom in a bedazzled bucket hat throwing petals from a fanny pack… this one is always a win. It’s hilarious, joyful, and turns a quiet aisle moment into an all-time favorite memory.
Wedding Reception Personal Touches
9. Take It to the Streets with a Love Parade
A post-ceremony parade through your neighborhood with your hyped-up wedding crew? F*cking ICONIC. One couple literally turned their love into a whole-ass event by walking through their neighborhood.
And if you’re in a city like Philly, picture your wedding party stopping traffic while you two dance down Broad Street or weave through Rittenhouse Square. Strangers will cheer, cars will honk, and you’ll feel like celebrities for a hot minute. If you’re looking for non-traditional wedding ideas that get your people involved and make your day unforgettable, this one’s it.
10. Make Your Own Wedding Playbill
One of my couples made a “wedding bill” inspired by Broadway Playbills, complete with bios, act breakdowns, and fun facts. It was such a sick way to personalize their wedding and let their guests feel like part of the show. 10/10 would recommend.
11. The Mocktail-First Bar (That Still Slaps)
Planning a no alcohol wedding doesn’t mean boring AF drinks — it’s actually one of the most thoughtful ways to personalize your wedding while making sure everyone can get lit on their own terms. One couple made mocktails the default and added a cheeky note: “Want alcohol? Just ask for [best alcohol to pair with the mocktail].” So it was inclusive, fun, and meant I (hi, your photographer!) could enjoy a drink or five while doing my job. Mocktails are cute AF, crowd-pleasing, and kind of a vibe.
12. Share a Drink with Meaning
Whether it’s yerba mate from the country where you studied abroad together or your favorite cider from that fall road trip—serving a drink with a story is one of those small wedding personal touches that makes a big-ass impact. Your guests get a sip of your love story, and you get something way better than a basic champagne toast.
13. Turn Your Pet Into the Bartender
Yes. Literally. One couple named the bar after their cat, created vintage-style signage with their cat in a bowtie, and called it “Milo’s Bar.” You don’t need an actual pet to pour drinks (although that would be legendary AF)—just a fun idea, a good designer (or ChatGPT!), and a little creativity.
14. Temporary Tattoo Station = Guestbook Upgrade
If you’re not into the “please sign a boring book” moment, one of my couples brought in a temporary tattoo station with cartoon-style tattoos of their faces, pets, inside jokes, and memes. Guests FREAKED for it.
15. Draw Yourself (Interactive Guestbook Style)
Another couple had a blank canvas out during the reception where guests could draw self-portraits instead of just signing their names. The result was a hilarious, weirdly touching art piece they could hang in their home forever. Bonus: it gets funnier the later in the night it gets.
16. T-Shirt Toss Instead of a Bouquet Toss
A super unique wedding personal touch I saw was from a couple that skipped the bouquet toss and launched custom t-shirts with their faces printed on them into the crowd instead. People WENT OFF. It was unexpected, hilarious, and way more competitive than a garter toss.
17. Have an Ice Cream Truck (and Hand Out the Cones Yourselves)
An ice cream truck rolled in for dessert, and instead of just chilling while guests lined up, the couple jumped in and served cones themselves. It was a sweet (literally), simple way to interact with everyone and make that moment fun AF. Plus. Free ice cream. Need I say more?
Wedding Personal Touches for the End of the Night
18. Have a Private Last Dance
When thinking about how to personalize your wedding, don’t sleep on the finale.
After the dance floor’s cleared or while your guests are off chasing sparklers, sneak back in for a private last dance.
It’s intimate. It’s grounding. And it’s one of those wedding personal touches that couples always say was one of their favorite parts of the day. (Plus, it makes for some seriously emo photos.)
19. Choose Music That’s Totally You
Your ceremony entrance, your first dance, your exit song—it doesn’t have to be “wedding-y.”
Speaking of non traditional wedding ideas, one couple I worked wanted to inclue the Pokémon theme song (yes, really) which is iconic.
Whether it’s emo nostalgia, 2000s bangers, your favorite anime intro, or something that just makes you both laugh, choose whatever the hell you want.
If You Loved These Wedding Personal Touches and Are Looking for a Dope Wedding Photographer…
Hi, I’m Kylee—a Pennsylvania-based wedding photographer who works with colorful couples (literally, or just in a fun vibe way). If that sounds like your jam, let’s chat.
Anddd if you liked this post, check out:
14 DIY Small Backyard Wedding Ideas You’ll Love
2025 Wedding Trends: The Coolest Sh*t You’ll (Probably) See This Year
