Inspiring Ways to Make Your Wedding Even More "You"

It's all in the details! Let these 11 unique ideas to play up your personalities on your wedding day.
pineapple table number escort cards
kristen maxwell cooper editor in chief the knot
by
Kristen Maxwell Cooper
kristen maxwell cooper editor in chief the knot
Kristen Maxwell Cooper
Former Editor in Chief
  • Kristen oversees editorial content for The Knot’s national magazine and TheKnot.com.
  • Kristen represents The Knot at industry events, as well as in the media and has appeared on shows including TODAY, Good Morning America, Entertainment Tonight and more.
  • Kristen has also held editorial positions at People StyleWatch, Ralph Lauren, Shape, InStyle and MTV.

Here's a little secret: No matter what kind of wedding you have, it's bound to be an amazing reflection of the two of you. Every choice you make, from the formality of the day to the food and the entertainment, is a chance to reveal a little bit of your identities, both as individuals and as a couple, to your guests. But if you're looking to really play up the personality, focus on the details. When my husband, Mickey, and I got married in my hometown of St. Louis, we added nods to both our interests and our current home base, New York City. Our wedding cake blended the NYC and St. Louis skylines, and we served Manhattans—Mickey's fave cocktail—as our signature drink. Need a little more inspiration? Check out some of our favorite one-of-a-kind elements from other couples' weddings.

1. Local Roots

new orleans wedding details
Dennis Kwan Weddings

If a big part of your identity comes from your hometown, incorporating local traditions into your wedding is a no-brainer. This New Orleans–born bride paid tribute to her favorite city with a jazz-inspired wedding full of distinctly NOLA elements. The couple set a 1920s, flapper-inspired dress code and chose an iconic hot spot during the days of Prohibition as their venue. And after saying their "I dos," the couple took to Bourbon Street for the traditional second line parade.

From: A Jazz Age-Inspired Vintage Wedding in New Orleans, Louisiana

2. Job Spotlight

grooms cake
Corner House Photography

Your wedding is an occasion when you're probably not thinking about the office (we hope!). But when your profession is more than just a job—like for this Florida firefighter—it's definitely worth incorporating into your day. We love that this cake topper celebrates the groom's career in a whimsical way.

From: A Christmas-Themed Wedding at Lakeside Landings in the The Villages, Florida

3. Novel Idea

books wedding decor
Lens Cap Productions

You many not want to go "by the book" when it comes to your wedding celebration, but we're all for using them as décor. This bride and groom demonstrated their love for the written word in a variety of bookish ways, from stacks of novels as centerpieces to typewritten card-catalog escort cards.

From: A Rustic, Bookish Wedding at Gramercy Park in New York, New York

4. Homegrown Cocktails

wedding details cocktails
Amber Gress Photography

A signature drink is an easy (and delicious) way to mix yourself into your reception. This couple blended their roots at the bar with cocktails honoring each of their birthplaces—plus one for their adopted hometown.

From: A Modern Loft Wedding at The Foundry in Long Island City, New York

5. Pineapple Punch

pineapple decor details
Michelle March Photography

Think your favorite fruit can't have a role in your wedding? Think again. This Florida bride wove her love for pineapples throughout the day, painting the tropical fruit gold and using it as a custom seating chart, nestling one within her bouquet and even printing them on the guest book.

From: A Pineapple-Filled Wedding at the Caribbean Resort in Islamorada, Florida

6. Hot Stuff

wedding details hot sauce
Jenna Marie Photography

A mutual love of Mexican food inspired this bride and groom's spicy theme. The reception décor was vibrant and colorful with unexpected details, like boutonnieres with tiny chile peppers and mini bottles of hot sauce as escort cards-slash-favors.

From: A Bright Mexican-Inspired Wedding at Greenpoint Loft in Brooklyn, NY

7. Doggone Cute

wedding dog
epagaFOTO

Let's face it: Your dog is family, so it makes sense to want to include your four-legged friend in the biggest day of your lives. We love how this couple made their pup a part of the wedding party, with a gingham tie to match the groom. A silhouette of him even appeared on the cake topper.

From: A Contemporary Wedding at Kauffman Center for Performing Arts in Kansas City, Missouri

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