If you picked the warm weathered months of 2016 to tie the knot, you still have some time to think outside the box for your big day. You can transform your cookie-cutter wedding into one that spews personality, bold decisions and Instagram-worthy pics that your friends haven't taken at any of the other weddings they've spent their weekends at this year.
If you're looking through your wedding plans, your timeline for the day and even your wardrobe — you know, that expensive wedding dress you spent a couple of grand on — and wondering how to switch it up a little, the first thing you'll want to think about is what traditions you can kick to the curb. Maybe you're over the idea of tossing the bouquet, or you're even rethinking your traditional "Here Comes The Bride" walk down the aisle.
Maybe you don't want to do a generic "first look" when you tap the groom on the shoulder, and he turns around to see your glammed-up mug. Instead, maybe you want to make it a scavenger hunt, in which he has to search different spots to find you. Put him to work on the wedding day. Now, that's quite the unique idea. Maybe instead of having first dance, you want to have a freestyle rap battle between you and your new hubby.
The options are endless, but to get you started, here are five quick and easy ways you redo your wedding to make it nontraditional and more like you this summer.
1. Take off the fancy shoes.
Go barefoot. If that's too hippy for your wedding vibe, or you're convinced you'll step on a piece of glass and spend your wedding night in a hospital room over a hotel room, then find a pair of shoes you'll actually wear again. Find a pair that scream comfort and class.
If you're doing any part of your wedding outdoors, you can go casual with your footwear. Plus, chances are, no one will be looking at your feet during this night. Say I do to a pair of neon pink Converse or lace TOMs. Nobody will judge you if you're a happy bride in a pair of flip-flops.
2. One cake? Try two.
If you're a dessert fan, don't settle for one large, tiered cake. Toss that tradition out the window, and go with more summery, personal-sized desserts. Whether you pick fruity-themed cake pops, or you have an ice cream truck parked outside when the night's over, don't settle for something vanilla.
3. Skip the ceremony before the party.
Capitalize on the good, warm weather and start your wedding off with an outdoor cocktail hour or even party before settling down for a quick ceremony. Time the ceremony to happen when the sun sets for optimal results.
4. Keep it short.
I'm not talking about the length of your wedding. No, you'll want that to last as long as possible. But, I am talking about your dress length. If it's warm out and you're one to sweat a little more than you'd like to admit, consider a shorter length dress, to your ankles or even to your knees.
5. Go with the great outdoors.
Take your wedding outside, either the whole thing or just with an optional outdoor component. Have lawn games, an outdoor bar, a fire pit or even an outdoor dance floor. It's summertime, and the living is easy. That's what the vibe of your wedding should be, too.
