When you’re ready to tie the knot, you and your spouse-to-be can draw on past traditions for your special day. Whether you’re inspired by religious rituals or weddings portrayed in literature and media, it’s up to you (with some input from loved ones) to decide how you’ll start this new phase of your life. Because a wedding is such a special occasion, some couples look for ways to buck tradition. If you and your partner like to “color outside of the lines,” consider these ideas for putting your own spin on things. 

1. Ditch the “Uniforms”

For many ceremonies, a wedding party involves some combination of bridesmaids and groomsmen with matching or coordinating attire. One way to mix things up is to allow members of the wedding party to choose their own outfits. Each person can be responsible for what they’re wearing, allowing flexibility and inspiring fun and creativity. You can set some guidelines to avoid outfits that are too over the top, or leave it entirely up to your party and have them surprise you on the big day.

2. Get Ready Together

One popular wedding tradition involves a bride and a groom avoiding each other until it’s time to walk down the aisle. They’ll then see each other in their outfits for the first time. You and your main squeeze could buck that tradition by getting ready together. This can be a very intimate moment between the two of you, further strengthening your bond. Helping your partner zip up a dress or tie a bow tie on your wedding day is also symbolic of how the two of you will be a team moving forward.

3. Reinvent the Processional

Some people look forward to walking down the aisle to “Here Comes the Bride” or other common processionals. That might work for others, but maybe you’d like to do something fun, quirky, and memorable. Why not dance your way to the altar? Who says that the party has to wait until the reception? Pick a dance song that you and your partner love and bust a move or two before exchanging vows at the wedding venue.

4. Begin the Journey in a New Place

Many marriage ceremonies take place in chapels, houses of worship, and other venues that are designed for weddings. One way to spice up your nuptials is to hold the event in an unusual place. Destination weddings lend themselves to quirky and unusual ceremonies, but you don’t necessarily have to go far from home. A couple who likes a goth or spooky aesthetic may consider exchanging vows at a cemetery. Outdoor enthusiasts may opt for a ceremony at the top of a mountain accessible by hiking.

5. Dump the Guestbook

Who doesn’t love written words of encouragement from friends and family in a guestbook outside of the wedding or reception? That’s pretty standard for other unions, but perhaps you want your big day to be anything but standard. Put an exciting new spin on the guestbook by having loved ones record their well-wishes on audio using a telephone or on video in a photo booth–like setup. 

6. Mix Up the Entertainment

It’s not uncommon to have a wedding where a singer and musician offer a selection or two. Many newlyweds enjoy music from a DJ or a band at the reception. Consider changing things up with alternate options for entertainment. An illusionist or stand-up comedian could be a nice alternative for either the ceremony or the party.

There are so many things that you and your future spouse can do for your nuptials. It’s a special day for the two of you, and you get to do things on your own terms. Go big, go bold, and go fun in a way you’ll look back on fondly for years to come.