How to Make Your Wedding Feel Authentically You
In a world full of Pinterest checklists and unsolicited advice, it’s easy to forget that your wedding is yours. Not a performance. Not a show. Not a box to tick.
Just two people, promising a life together.
And it can look however you want it to.
Some of the most beautiful weddings I’ve photographed haven’t followed tradition at all. They’ve been intimate, unexpected, deeply personal—woven together with meaning instead of expectation.
Here’s how to create a wedding that feels like coming home to yourself.
Let Go of Traditions That Don’t Serve You
You don’t have to toss a bouquet.
You don’t have to cut a cake.
You don’t have to walk down the aisle if it doesn’t feel right.
The beauty of modern weddings is that you get to choose. You can rewrite the rules, skip the bits that feel outdated, and focus instead on what feels true.
Want to wear something colourful? Go for it.
Prefer to walk in together? Do it.
No speeches? No problem.
Traditions can be lovely, but only when they mean something to you. Otherwise, they’re just noise.
Consider a Celebrant-Led Ceremony
One of the most beautiful ways to personalise your wedding is with a celebrant.
Celebrant-led ceremonies aren’t bound by scripts or legal restrictions—they’re written just for you. You can include personal vows, inside jokes, readings that resonate, or rituals that reflect your values.
I’ve seen couples light candles for loved ones, share letters before saying “I do,” and even have their pets play a part.
You can get married under an old tree, by the sea, in your garden, or in a field of wildflowers.
Your ceremony doesn’t have to be formal or fancy to be powerful. It just has to feel like you.
Spend Your Budget Where It Matters to *You*
Weddings can come with a lot of pressure to “do it all”—but the truth is, you don’t need everything.
Spend your budget on the things that feel most important to you. Maybe that’s live music. Maybe it’s an incredible meal. Maybe it’s photography you’ll treasure for decades.
If chair covers and favours don’t matter to you, skip them. If you’d rather have a pizza truck than a three-course meal, do it. If you want to splurge on flowers but skip the videographer, that’s perfectly okay.
Let your values guide your decisions—not tradition.
Tune Out the Noise
Sometimes, planning a wedding brings family politics and opinions to the surface.
But this is your day. Not everyone will understand your choices—and that’s okay. You’re not here to please everyone. You’re here to celebrate your love, your way.
Set boundaries gently but firmly. Keep the guest list intimate if that feels right. Ignore the commentary on seating plans and colour schemes.
You’re allowed to prioritise peace over people-pleasing.
It’s the Little Things That Make It Yours
It’s the handwritten vows.
The song your partner chose without telling you.
The way the wind moved through the trees as you said "I do."
The cake your best friend baked.
Your dog in a bowtie.
These are the things that make a wedding unforgettable—not perfection, but presence.
You don’t need a big budget, a huge guest list, or a flawless timeline.
You just need love, honesty, and a little space to breathe.
If you're dreaming of a wedding that feels gentle, grounded, and true to you, I’d love to tell your story.
Get in touch here and let’s create something beautifully personal.
