When you start planning a wedding, you know what it’s “supposed” to be like. The question is: What do you want your wedding experience to be? Letting go of the same old way of doing weddings can be easier said than done. That’s why I rounded up some of my favorite nontraditional wedding ideas.

A bride holds three white roses in front of a floral installation.

6 Nontraditional Wedding Ideas

These creative tips will help you think outside the box to design a wedding that really feels like you.

1 Skip the wedding party.

There can be a lot of pressure to include all the right people in your wedding party whether it’s your distant cousin or those two friends who don’t get along for unknown reasons. Managing those dynamics is second-nature to some people, but if the thought stresses you out, consider skipping the wedding party altogether.

A bride sits in a bathtub sipping a cocktail.

Of all the nontraditional wedding ideas in this post, this one can connect you with your community the most. I know it sounds counter-intuitive, but without the formal structure of a wedding party, you can welcome support from so many people in creative ways. You can assign friends to help you get ready or run communication with your vendors. Everyone gets to take part and feel special to you.

A couple kiss standing in front of their family and friends.

Skipping the wedding party doesn’t mean you miss out on photos with your favorite people either! Since you save time on taking formal portraits, you can spend more time connecting with your friends at the reception. Just let your photographer know that you value those candid moments so they make sure to capture them.

A couple holds hands in front of a mirrored mosaic.

2 Get creative with desserts.

Wedding cakes can be fun, but there are other options that can be just as enticing and easier to serve to your guests. Donuts and cookies lend themselves to beautiful decorations and fun displays. If you and your partner really love the idea of cake but not the feeling of a formal cake cutting, you can get a small cake and have a private cutting.

A fig tart sits on a white desert plate.

If you really want to get your guests excited, consider a food truck like an ice cream truck. There’s something so playful and exciting about lining up for a cone while wearing cocktail attire. Out-of-town guests get a cool peek into your local food scene this way, too. It definitely will be more memorable than another vanilla cake.

A heart-shaped cake is surrounded by black and white cupcakes.

3 Save speeches for the rehearsal dinner.

Maybe you like nontraditional wedding ideas because you want to keep your wedding day lowkey. You still want those sentimental moments with your loved ones. When you have speeches at your rehearsal, the intimate setting lowers the pressure on yourself and your loved ones. You also get to enjoy your reception more without worrying about getting off a timeline.

A bride and groom toast with cocktails at their reception table.

4 Have your “exit” after the ceremony.

People love a big exit. They require a lot of organization and clean up, though. Nontraditional wedding ideas should make your wedding day less stressful. By moving your exit to after the ceremony, you get the big moment at the perfect time in the timeline.

A bride sits in the front seat of a vintage car.

Sunlight also means you can get more creative with your exits. You don’t need to do a sparkler exit. Try throwing flower petals or dried lavender. There are plenty of biodegradable options that can add a little color to your recessional.

A bride and groom exit a church as guests throw white rose petals.

Lavender is scattered over a bride's train.

5 Combine parent dances.

Sometimes nontraditional wedding ideas mean putting a spin on the traditions you actually do value. If you love the idea of parent dances but don’t want to be the sole center of attention, you can combine them all in one song. It saves time at the reception, so you can get to dinner and your friends that much sooner.

A bride and groom dance with their parents at a wedding reception.

Of course, if you’d rather not have a room full of eyes on you, you can cut the formal dances completely. There are other ways to show your family that you appreciate them. You could do a private toast or gift exchange.

Guests slow dance at a wedding reception.

6 Wear whatever feels most comfortable for you.

One of the most important nontraditional wedding ideas is that you can wear whatever color, fabric, or style of clothing is best for you. Choose something that isn’t wildly different from your normal wardrobe. Wear color, a patterned suit, an embroidered veil, or ruffled shoes. It’s important to feel good in what you’re wearing so you can focus on enjoying yourself.