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5 ways to have a charmingly offbeat wedding

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While many brides who eschew tradition tend to go out of their way to have something different for their nuptials, you actually don’t have to go bankrupt in order to have the unique wedding of your dreams.

Customising your wedding can be fun and you really don’t need to spend a lot of money or compete with anyone else for Wedding of the Century Award.

Here are small, but simple ways you can make your wedding both unique and memorable.

1.Don’t wear a white wedding dress

The first and most obvious way to ensure you really stand out is to opt for a gown that isn’t white.

More and more brides are choosing to move away from the traditional white dress, and even those who do don white, often go for modern outfits that are sometimes not even dresses. Experiment with different styles, colours and materials.

If you can’t settle on a single colour, ombre dresses would be a good way to go. If you’re feeling really brave, you can even opt to airbrush your wedding dress, likethis bride who opted for a gorgeous sunset-themed frock.

2.  Make an entrance that everyone will remember

None of that sedate walking down the aisle business that other brides do. It’s time for you to switch things up by either doing one of the following:

  - Dance your way down the aisle (although this one has become so common place that there are now literally hordes of youtube videos featuring bridal parties doing just this). The trick is, of course to make it your own. Instead of a rehearsed routine, rather be spontaneous and lang-arm across the aisle with whoever it is you’re walking down the aisle with.

- Choose a song that is anything but the traditional wedding march. Go for a song that either has special meaning to you both, or is so outrageous that no one will ever be able to forget it. Just as long as it’s not AC/DC’s Highway to Hell. Because that would be totally inappropriate. Or not? You tell me.

- Let your guests form part of your entrance. You can have them form a long-arm train and walk underneath it or get up and sing while you’re walking down the aisle.

READ MORE: 5 bridal party dance routines that will make your jaw drop

3. Do something different for your ceremony

Tired of traditional wedding vows? Perhaps you’re not religious and want to simply have a ceremony that captures the essence of your love for each other? Or maybe you and your partner are from different faiths and want to find a way to celebrate both faiths without offending anyone?

Not to panic, there’s plenty of ways you can personalise your ceremony. For example, a hand-fasting ceremony is a good way to go if you’re not particularly religious.

According to Celtic Jewelry.com

, the tradition of hand-fasting ceremonies date back to pre-Christianity era and involved the binding of hands with a ribbon or cord to symbolise the marriage vows. These days Wiccans, Neo-Pagans and non-religious folk often opt for this instead of the traditionally religious one.

Other great ways of adding a unique element to your wedding is to write your own wedding vows, use works of literature and do wedding readings instead (there’s a wealth of information on this and Bustle.com has compiled one for book lovers and for non-religious couples).

For the religious couples, especially those from different faiths, blending a combination of both faiths is often a good way to go. For example, if you’re Jewish and your partner is Hindu, you could have a rabbi and Hindu priest officiate your wedding and incorporate elements from each faith that both your families .

4.  Have fun with the seating arrangements

Instead of the sedate round table seating you often see in reception venues, change things up a bit.

Have your reception outside (this is whether dependent of course), make seats out of bales of hay or customise seats by having printed photos of each guest on their assigned seats, as this buzzfeed post suggests

5.  Games are your friend

When it comes to entertainment, many brides often resort to using the classic photo booth as a way to keep guests occupied and as a way to provide them with additional souvenirs from the wedding.

However, there’s so much more you can do. Experthometips.com suggests upping the ante and making a video booth instead. Let your guests visit the booth, record hilarious or heart-warming messages for you or even perform for you.

You can also have games where there are prizes for your guests to be won. Spin the Wheel, Treasure hunts and Q & A’s for guests are good ways to make the day fun for your guests and will ensure that your day will be memorable for both you and your guests.

What did you do to ensure that your wedding had that something different about it? Tell us (or even send us some pictures) and we’ll feature it in a future article.

READ MORE:

7 items every bride should have in her emergency kit

How to plan a wedding in under three months

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