Anyone having a "different" type of wedding

Sounds fun could you not go for maybe some pastel colours or maybe cream with splashes of sunflower yellow? or maybe a pastel green with bright yellow always looks nice, and it would tie in with the fact that your wedding is outdoors as they are sort of outdoorsy colours, maybe even white. personally i think green is the best colour to put with yellow. xx xx

We aren't having a humanist ceremony, but we are having a casual (compared to most weddings) outdoor ceremony and then a laid back BBQ/garden party at a local family hotel afterwards. We don't have a colour scheme or a 'theme' other than decorating tables with daffodils, and making my own daffodil bouquet. With outdoor/garden type do's you can let nature be your inspiration and decoration, which I've always thought works really effectively, costs fairly little and never looks tacky

also, I have this on my pinterest, thought I'd pop it in for you

Aww thanks! I LOVE YOU TOO (too strong?)

Sometimes I feel lost when looking for weddingy things as the usual wedding stuff is so not me at all. I'm just grateful for pinterest, big time. I like going to big fancy matchy matchy weddings but if I had one myself I'd feel i was putting on a skit or something, even with the long poofy dress, I went to a bridal shop the other day, spent five minutes in it, left and turned to my mate and said "So I'll be having one made then I think!" (or, more realistically, buying it from the high street)

When I tell people in the wedding industry about my wedding they either turn their nose up at me or assume I'm a hippy. (so not a hippy)

Can I join you? I am getting married in a registry office then having a BBQ in the garden of this very quiant pub. I too am having sunflowers but micing it with purple. My dress is green and OH is wearing dress trousers with a shirt and waistcoat. I love summer so hated the idea of everyone sitting around tables inside for the day. I am not dressing the tables (bbq ones) as can't really see the point, plus have asked everyone to bring picnic blankets and garden games. Friends are making bunting in my colour theme as well.

WOOP WOOP Welcome

That' exactly what we thought! We have a lot of people travelling/wanting to spend the night so we started looking at hotels, but it jut wasn't us. We are massive BBQ Hogs so it makes sense, also not so keen on all the fancy stuff, Your wedding sounds amazing! I'd love to see some pictures after the big day!

Thanks guys, I was thinking about green so its nice to have some input.

Lovely to hear about some others people's ideas on the non traditional style, I'm really not a frilly big white dress kinda gal!

Those photos are lovely ideas too

I wanted a 'kill it, cook it, eat it', type wedding...?

We also had an outdoor wedding and I even had some morrissmen who did a fertility dance at the wedding (and it worked!). Love "different" weddings!

I have just been finishing the interior of my VW Camper and as the bus was primrose (yellow) I needed colours to complement it without it looking like a big lemon. I went for sage green. Am pretty pleased with how it is turing out! May even go for some sunflowers in the front window - good idea!

I'm having quite a traditional wedding, in a hotel with a white dress with everything co-ordinated which is very me in a lot of ways but equally the wedding's you've all described sound lovely and I would be more than happy doing something like that, I'm a bit of a hippy at heart

Our wedding is in France, all outdoors.

Got everyone staying in apartments that are round a huge courtyard for the week, then on the wedding day, reception will be in the courtyard as well.

Humanist ceremony for me as well, find them so much more personal (although we have to do the legal bit here the day before we fly!)

Food is going to be fancy canapes, then a cold buffet (but think fancy cold buffet, with fillet of beef, and guinea foul etc.) then croquembouche for desert. Later on we will have a big cheese board I think.

Jazz music during the day, then 60's rock band at night!

Cant wait, only 7 weeks on Friday till we leave!

Can I join? We're having a 'wedding holiday' to our fave place, the Isles of Scilly (off the coast of Cornwall) with 22 close family and friends. just want a really relaxed, fun few days- rounders on the beach, day trips to the different islands etc. On the day, getting married in a little room of our fave restaurant with views of the sea then spending the day on the beach and having a garden party in the garden of our holiday cottage. Then a dinner party back at the restaurant later. No formal music or first dance malarky, just back to the beach with a few blankets and disposable BBQs for the toasting of marshmallows with the ipod on.

Hope that counts as different love hearing about all your ideas, these would so be weddings I would like to go to!

?

This made me laugh a little more than it should have!

My wedding is half formal, half not. For examples:

I'm having drag queens welcome people with Star Trek themed drinks, a star trek themed cake, I'm wearing a black dress (if I can find one) and my OH, head usher and my head bridesmaid (who's a man) will be in full ww1/2 military gear with swords. Possibly older military, depends on what they choose.

My bridesmaids will be in Air Force and Navy uniforms.

We are also having Jagerbombs for our toasts rather than wine and champagne.

However, we are getting married at a town hall with a wedding breakfast.

I'm also arriving in a military half-track.

...I have absolutely no theme, I'm just going with a mishmash of everything I love.

The invitations will have octopus tentacles on them.

....

ScillyB2B that sounds wonderful and relaxed, I can't wait to read the report (although maybe after my go, as the panic is making me a little fuzzy already..).

I don't know if this counts as alternative (although I would say so from what I've seen on hitched), for us it was more about being 'budget', and something OH could stomach, him being utterly unromantic, hates weddings, and would hate to waste anyone else's time on our wedding ? (he's lovely really!)..

I'm staying at home with OH the night before. Late afternoon brief as possible local RO ceremony for family only, my little girl makes up my bridal party, our son (20 months) will be best man! Walking out to 'The Bare Necessities' from The Jungle Book. Home for photos, drinks and snacks in our garden, then onto the local cricket club for the main party (buffet as we can't bring ourselves to trust weather for a bbq), loads of mutual friends, most of their kids, some of the musicians amongst them playing a tune or two, and marrying a child of the 70's, our first and likely only shuffle will be 'Seven Golden Daffodils'. Colour-unco-ordinated flower-filled wellies (and watering cans) for centrepieces, chilli plants home-grown from seed as favours (OH's pet project, along with the garden). We're putting on our choice of real ale. No top table.

I'm sort of looking forward to it (if only I could get organised!).

My wedding was a simple register office "do",with just my 2 sons,and 2 witnesses, we then went to an all you can eat chinese restaurant,as it's our fave food.

We went with a loose Hello Kitty theme as my Hello Kitty tattoos were going to be on show. We also got married on Halloween, as a lot of people say I dress like i'm going trick or treating... ? We spent the night before our wedding together, drove to the venue together, and walked into the ceremony together.

Not really all that different but not traditional either!! We're having a civil ceremony outside a Sailing Club (where we met) and then having a small vintage-themed tea party reception with cupcakes and lemonade etc then we're off to a conference centre with quite a plain white interior. We're decorating with purple and ivory and lillies and having quite a traditional wedding breakfast then just having an iPod playing at night.

Also my dress will be very simple. I just dont like wedding dresses!! I like them on people (especially on the threads on here) I just don't picture them on me!!

S x

I love hearing about other people's weddings, especially if they are a bit 'different'. Ours is going to be very laid back and small, and on the isle of wight. We're getting married at a YMCA! It's so much cheaper then other places I've seen, and although it is primarily used for school activity trips it over looks the beach so I'm quite proud we looked outside the traditional hotel venues which seem to be popular on the island. Then we are having bacon and eggs for our wedding breakfast. This was my OH's choice, both because he loves a fry up and because he couldn't work out why it was called a Wedding Breakfast if it was in the afternoon (don't worry I did explain it to him eventually!)

We are then jumping on a double decker bus to take everyone on a short tour of the island stopping off for some photos on a beach and then to the party venue! This is a really old village hall type thing, unfortunately it has scaffolding all over the outside but I'm determined to make the inside look amazing. My OH's parents saw the hall, and really didn't like it, they offered to pay so we could afford to use a 'better' venue but I grew up around here and I have some nice memories of this hall, so although the outside looks bad I want to shock them with the inside looking fantastic. Once we get inside it's going to be pretty much a laid back house party. This place doesn't have a bar so it's a kind of beer stored in buckets of ice party abd my brother (a chef) is doing the evening buffet. Oh, and I'm having a hobbiton cake! Our theme is very messy really, it's kind of a 1950s beach party/olympics red white and blue mashup with a good helping of geeky stuff! It may be a bit hobbled together but it's what me and my OH like so everyone else will have to deal with it!

I love reading about all the different styles of weddings. Ours was very traditional, but then we are - the ONLY sort of exception we had was one really cute photo that we didn't actually plan. All the male attendants (by that I mean, best man, groom, ushers, my dad, grooms dad, 2 little page boys) wore the exact same suit (hired by a firm my uncle worked for), the adults had been requested to bring along sunglasses, but we forgot to include the 2 little boys in this. It actually worked out really well as it looks like an "initiation" into a "men in black" type group, ie all the adults are "men in black" and the 2 little boys without the sunglasses are being "welcomed" in.

I must say, I love sunflowers, and love the idea of them for weddings!

FireFairy, your post has made me soooo happy! Our wedding's a little different too and I feel like my priorities are quite different to other people's and they seem a bit weirded out when I tell them.

We're having a humanist ceremony (doing the same as you and nipping to the registry office to do the paperwork the day before) and then getting a celebrant to marry us at our little venue in London. People will just stand around us with a glass of bubbly, hear a short and sweet little service (no readings) and then it's party time. We're then having a rustic Italian family-style feast on long tables (no seating plan, no silver service, no bloody chair covers) and dancing the night away.

Our wedding's come together based on our atheist beliefs, feminist values and easy going natures. We don't want anything formal or traditional and many seem to think that's weird!

Things that have freaked people out about our wedding so far:

- no seating plan

- no colour scheme

- bridesmaids all wearing different colours and outfits

- both my parents walking me down the aisle

- no religious anything

- my hubby-to-be being a little bit involved in the dress shopping

- the fact that I'm probably not taking my hubby-to-be's name

Your wedding sounds just gorgeous. I think it's fab not to wear white, and that you'll have it outside. We wanted to do the same but I didn't have the courage to trust the weather. I'm so glad you have and it sounds like you'll have a great time

There's a nice Hitched group on Facebook where we share ideas and things, but I sometimes feel like my wedding and priorities are a bit different from theirs. Anyone feel like starting a little offshoot group for slightly different weddings?

Ebony_rose, love your first flash! lol. Love the dress too, it really suits you (obviously ?), wish I had the curves for something like that- my friend has and she's wearing something similar in bright green later this year for her renewal of vows, can't wait to see it.

And lovely proud smiles on you and your boys on the last one.

I like meeting like-minded people about wedding ideas! I feel like my ideas are completely different from what people think of as a wedding.

I have to be honest, we're not going to entirely trust the weather by putting up some gazebos just in case!

People have also thought that my idea is weird and are shocked (not my parents or luckily my future in laws as they wouldn't expect anything from either of us)

The things that people have thought are strange so far are:

a) a humanist ceremony? whats that?!

b) vegetarian food - "but most of the guests aren't vegetarian!" (yes but myself and OH are, and we would like to be able to eat everything on our wedding day and not break our values for others)

c) I'm not even having any bridesmaids!

d) Probably no aisle or giving away

e) I'm not changing my name, but the OH is going to take mine!

I have to be honest though, we're not trusting the weather completely, going to get gazebos just in case! And im torn about table plans atm, as I would like freedom, but mums pointed out that as we've got lots of diff groups of people coming shes worried there may end up with odd seats left and the odd 50+ who is single having to sit with all my uni friends early 20s who have just graduated!

Also, I like the idea of an offshoot group

Imzadi - Your wedding sounds like the most fun wedding ever!! I am looking forward to the flashes already!

I hope you manage to find a black dress. I think they're beautiful. Saw a fishtail lace black dress at the national wedding show last year and it was amazing. If I hadn't already got mine, I'd have seriously considered it.

Ps. We're also considering doing jagerbomb toast drinks!

Firefly, I think it's great your OH wants to take your name. When I told my OH I didn't want to change my name he was fine with it, although when I suggested he change his surname to mine he was having none of it, but at least he is happy that we will be Mr K and Ms D, his mum doesn't like it, she always says 'well you'll be Mr and Mrs K to me, even when I post things to you!'

I'll be walking down the aisle myself. My dad died when I was 15 and everyone suggests my twin bro should walk me down, but I feel it is such an antiquated tradition, so I'll be going solo!

I'm not a veggie but a lot of my friends are so I wouldn't be put out by a full veggie menu, in fact it would probably mean I'd get to try lots of yummy stuff that I normally wouldn't try! I think it's important that the day is for you and your OH, and that everyone else can enjoy seeing your personality and shared interests. I'm biased but I always enjoy weddings that are not quite of the norm where you can see the couple's personality throughout the whole day, not just on a quirky cake topper!

? Thank you.

I love when people do what suits them, and have things that reflect their personality and lifestyle.

No point going with what tradition dictates, just because that's what most people expect.

For me, I wanted to feel like me on my wedding day, hence why I wore a dress similar to what I usually wear, had my hair how i usually have it...

If H saw me in a white/ivory gown, with soft curls in a half up, half down "do", he wouldn't have married me ?

My OH wasn't 100% sure bout taking my name, but his mum thought it was a wonderful idea and now hes decided to def do it! However its a shame theres no provision to do it at the reg office as you can only legally change it there as a woman (so out dated and sexist right?) so we have to go through the faff of deed poll for him which will be a pain.

And ebony_rose I think my OH would do the same thign and not marry me if I turned up in white. I loved your dress btw, really suits you and you can tell your personality shines through!

Exactly this. I dont think ours was very diffirent or very weddingy. It was "us". There were some traditional aspects but then there were an awful lot of non traditional aspects. We just did what suited us.

I think its good to stand out- I loved your dress OP as well.

Friya, your list is very much like mine although not having any bridesmaids. As I am known tas being so laid dack, it has not really surprised others about my wedding. The only thing we have really gone OTT over are our rings. They cost more than our actual wedding combined! I would rather spend money there than on table centre piecies, favours, gifts for everyone etc. Means everyday I wake up with OH, I have the wonderful engagement ring he designed alongside the wedding ring we both designed- something very special and one of a kind!

Friya, your list is very much like mine although not having any bridesmaids. As I am known tas being so laid dack, it has not really surprised others about my wedding. The only thing we have really gone OTT over are our rings. They cost more than our actual wedding combined! I would rather spend money there than on table centre piecies, favours, gifts for everyone etc. Means everyday I wake up with OH, I have the wonderful engagement ring he designed alongside the wedding ring we both designed- something very special and one of a kind!

I suppose ours is a bit different. We're eloping, but since we're Christian we're having a full C of E marriage service, alone, with no family or guests, on the beach! It will be rather amusing having the traditional "dearly beloved, we are gathered here today...." when there's no-one there, but it's what we want. The only way we can have a "church wedding" without anyone interfering. We're lucky that the priest will pretty much go with what we want

We're having a humanist one too and doing the legal bit in coldstream on the way down. Then it's a case of a humanist a few days later and a paaaartay!

For everyone doing the legal bit before their ceremony, is anyone wondering how they will feel after?

I mean the days in between when you are actually legally married?

We havent told many people, only parents and siblings, but oh's mum keeps going on about how we will be married on the Fri, its so annoying!

But I am a little worried/upset that I might not get the same feeling on the morning of my wedding because I know its already kinda done if that makes sense.

I've been wondering that too, but then I came to the conclusion that it might be quite exciting - like eloping and being secretly married for a day! We won't exchange rings or say any vows (other than whatever we have to say for legal reasons, I guess), so I'm hoping the proper ceremony the next day will really feel like our actual wedding. We're not even sure we'll dress up for the registry office!

Ladies, this thread has really picked up my spirits Would anyone else be up for a little Facebook group for "weddings with a difference"? It might be nice to share ideas and talk about our own unique takes on things.

Yes I'm not sure how it will feel on the day either. We're making the legal bit as basic as possible - just the paragraph they have to read, sign the paper and no exchanging of rings so it feels more of a formality. We'll be out for dinner that ngiht with a few family members and that's it. The three days later it's the 'real deal'.

We will be seeing each other the night before (he won't give up the amazing suite we have!) btu we live together so it's not like I haven't seen him before so it's not bothering me.

Actually, I wonder if it might be easier for me to feel weddingy anyway as we are all away from home for it so we have three days of partying and playtime so it just feels like we're having a massive celebration including a big meal the night before with all our friends who are travelling down. If you're not heading away what about splashing out on a nice hotel for the inbetween days - some spa pamapering etc?

I am slightly annoyed that some people keep referring to the £125, 2 minute job as 'the real wedding' though and I have tried to hint (very strongly) to stop it but I guess if that's how they want to think of it then fine, we'll be celebrating our anniversary a year for the humanist ceremony and that's that! Guess it all depends what a wedding means to you, for me it's about him and I promising to each other and the legal bit can go jump but to the ones who seem to think the legal is more important...well I guess it says more about them ;-)