Have you ever attended a wedding and just felt like everything was very cookie-cutter? The couple has so much personality, and you come to celebrate a day all about their love, but the wedding felt like it was lacking uniqueness? As an intimate wedding photographer, I strongly believe that your day should reflect who you are as a couple, and showcase some of the unique traits that make up your relationship.

In the world of viral social media posts and Pinterest trends, I find that a lot of ideas end up being repeated over and over (and don’t get me wrong, some of them are great ideas!) I love finding inspiration on Pinterest, too. But I specifically remember in college, at the end of the semester when we were going through our final projects, there would always be a handful that ended up being dead-on replicas of Pinterest pictures that the whole class had already seen when we all started our inspiration searches at the beginning of the year.

That’s not at all how you want your wedding to be. This is your wedding day, a day dedicated to telling your love story. You’re not trying to replicate someone else’s. Continue reading for a few ideas that can make your day feel more you.

Focus on making your wedding details as meaningful and timeless as you can. Here are a few personal touches that might inspire you to make your intimate wedding day all yours.

01.
Exchange love letters before you see each other. There is something so romantic and timeless about a handwritten letter— especially when it’s written by the love of your life. This is such an intimate experience, and gives you a few minutes of privacy with your partner even before you see each other.

02.
Following a similar line, handwriting your vows in personalized vow books is a beautiful keepsake for your wedding day. Imagine your grandkids turning through the same pages in 70 years and reading your words, painting their own picture of your love for each other. I’ve had a few couples that keep their vow books and add to them on their anniversaries as well, making them into a book of your love story. Here are a few vendors that offer custom vow books:

• Inclusive Vow Books + Custom Name Options
• Hardcover Vow Books with Custom Names
• Wood Vow Books with Custom Names

03.
Use an engagement album as a guest book. We’ve all seen the Jenga blocks or puzzle pieces left with sharpies for guests to sign, but in another year or two, that will be in the back of a closet collecting dust. Instead, fill a fine-art album of your engagement pictures, alternating blank pages so that your guests can enjoy seeing another piece of your love story while they sign their congratulations. It makes for a beautiful coffee table accessory to display in your home and reminisce.

04.
After the wedding, preserve your real florals in home decor. Coasters, serving trays and bookends made of your wedding bouquet can keep your beautiful touches for years to come. Here are some small artisan businesses that offer this service:

• Soil and Soul: https://soilandsoul.studio/
• Florals Preserved: https://floralspreserved.com/
• Pressed Floral: https://pressedfloral.com/

05.
Add unique accessories to your wedding attire that fit your vibe. You can never have too many custom pieces when it comes to your wedding attire. Why not add some glam with a leather jacket or a painted hat that adds to your look and you can wear in the future.

06.
Create a personalized experience for guests, like making your favorite drinks as bar specials, or even having an on-site vendor that gives them an experience they can leave with— such as a tattoo artist, permanent jewelry, or a caricature artist.

07.
Surprise your significant other with a meaningful gift to exchange that gives you another special memory from your day. Whether it’s a physical gift or something like a song you wrote for them, this can be such an intimate part of your day. Build this into your timeline to have a few quiet moments together to share the experience and soak in the moment.

These are just a few ways to personalize your wedding day, but the possibilities are endless. Start by considering what is most important to you, experiences that reflect your relationship, and what are memories that you’d love to fill your wedding day with.