Tying the Nontraditional Knot

More and more, couples are weaving unique, meaningful experiences into their ceremonies while cutting back on waste

By Vicki Martinka Petersen

Non-gold

Band

f wedding plans were bestowed upon the bride like a gift, then “something old” would be traditional wedding customs. But for couples veering onto the nontraditional path, the “something new” could be a ceremony venue other than a church, “something borrowed” could be mason jars for centerpieces filled with flowers from the bride’s garden and bridesmaids wearing a variety of dresses in “something blue.”

For many couples, incorporating their own touches into their big day outweighs maintaining wedding traditions.

“A nontraditional wedding can be very simple, such as having their dog walk down the aisle wearing a tuxedo shirt or Cubs jersey, or skipping a religiousbased ceremony for a ceremony that’s more telling of the couple’s story,” says Jan Barbeau, founder of Perfect Events by Jan in St. Charles.

Many couples are seeking unconventional venues that double as the site for both the ceremony and reception. Popular choices include the zoo, breweries/wineries, museums and warehouses. Creating adventure weddings is another popular choice, such as getting married in the ocean with the bride dressed as a mermaid or having the ceremony on the island of Santorini where the bride rides in on a donkey.

“People are really after those beautiful photos to post online,” Barbeau says. A different photo trend is putting disposable cameras on the tables for guests to take pictures. Then they can add the photos to an album with a note for the couple.

While couples still exchange weddings rings, Barbeau isn’t seeing a traditional gold band for men. One of her clients opted for a wedding band with a carbon filler outside and material from a whiskey barrel inside. Some couples express their love with a ring tattooed on their finger. Others repurpose a family heirloom by taking the stone from a grandparent’s ring and putting it into a new setting. A fun alternative to the traditional guest book is doing something more artistic like a tree canvas where guests sign their names on the branches to fill in a family tree. The finished piece can serve as a decoration in the couple’s home, Barbeau says.

For couples seeking to minimize the ecological impact of their special event, a sustainable wedding might be the way to go. One way to achieve this is by using mason jars for vases and letting guests take those home or decorating with potted plants that double as wedding favors for guests.

Other eco-friendly wedding ideas include sending out electronic invitations, asking guests to bring their own glasses for drinks and renting food trucks in lieu of a seated multi-course dinner.

No matter what type of wedding a couple plans, at the end of the day it comes down to celebrating the newlyweds for who they are.

“Take the time to really think and talk about making your wedding a memorable experience that you both will treasure for the rest of your lives. There is an experience for every budget. This is your one day, so do what feels right to both of you,” Barbeau says.