Ask The Experts: Unexpected Ways to Personalise your Wedding Day

Personalisation is everything when it comes to planning a wedding. More than ever, couples are tossing out the rulebook and embracing what feels right for them, whether that’s a non-traditional venue or ceremony scripts that break the mould. In recent years, we’ve seen a real shift toward the bold, playful, and delightfully unexpected. And honestly? We’re here for it.

Your wedding day is more than just a celebration, it’s a story. And the best way to tell that story is through thoughtful, personal details that reflect who you are as a couple. Sure, you’ve got the big decisions to make, but it’s often the unique touches your guests will remember most.
So if you’re looking to bring a bit more “you” into your day, here are some creative and unexpected ways to personalise your wedding!

Unexpected Ways to Personalise your Wedding Day

photo by Him & Her Photography – full wedding here 

Start with your venue

Your venue sets the tone for the entire day, so it’s the perfect place to kick off the personal touches. Think beyond the classic hotel ballroom or stately home.

Natalia Zuk, Owner of Lilac Studios, notes, “While couples often choose to personalize table décor or welcome table, they can think even bigger, and start with booking a venue that reflects them and allows for unique solutions. I spoke to a couple who are huge movie fans, and they rented a venue that used to be a theatre. It allowed them to create unique wedding experiences from the very start until the end of the night: from the red carpet receiving line with flash photography, to taking pictures in front of old movie posters and inside an old-style ticket window.”

Don’t be afraid to choose a space that speaks to who you are, even if it’s not what’s traditionally expected. Your venue should feel like an extension of your story, not just a pretty backdrop!

photo by Chris Blackledge Photography – full wedding here 

Bring in your favourite scents

This one’s a bit unexpected, but trust us. The right fragrance can instantly transport you back to a moment in time, which makes it a lovely way to build memories into your wedding day.

“Scent is such a powerful memory trigger, and most people don’t think about it,” shares Craig Peterman, Owner, Photographer, & Videographer at Craig Peterman Photography & Videography. “I’ve had couples use a specific candle or essential oil while getting ready and then save it to relight on anniversaries. It’s subtle, but the emotional connection that comes with it is real. Years later, that same smell can take you right back to the moment.”

Some couples even gift mini candles or room sprays to guests, so the scent becomes part of the shared experience. Months (or years) down the line, catching that same fragrance again will bring every happy moment rushing back.

photo by Chandra Delite Photography. – full wedding here 

Focus on the cake

Your cake is such a fun way to inject personality into your wedding, and there’s no “right” way to do it. From flavour to design, there’s plenty of room to play.

Armana Christianson, Owner & Cake Artist at A. Cakes Bakery, says, “One of my favorite unexpected ways that couples can personalize their wedding is by working with their cake artist to create a cake or dessert that is truly their own. Whether it’s using elements from their invitations, the wedding dress, or details from their time together, a cake artist can transform a basic cake into something timeless but also so uniquely their client. Every other detail of the wedding is so carefully chosen, there’s no reason that their wedding cake shouldn’t also be an extension of their love story.”

Think bold patterns, painted designs, or even shapes inspired by your outfits or invitations. And when it comes to flavour? The sky’s the limit. Whether you fancy a Guinness-chocolate sponge or a vegan passionfruit creation, your cake is the perfect place to break the mould. Just make sure you grab a slice—they tend to disappear fast!

photo by Seth and Beth Wedding Photography – full wedding here 

Update your playlist

Your wedding playlist doesn’t need to be filled with the same old tunes you’ve heard at every other celebration. This is your chance to share a little bit of your musical journey together.

“Many weddings opt for string renditions of popular songs for their pre-ceremony seating music, and while there’s certainly nothing wrong with this, a pre-ceremony playlist curated with some of your favorite songs will make guests smile and think about you as they wait for your ceremony while also setting the mood and intention for the ceremony itself and the rest of the celebration,” explains Elena Markwood, Owner and Lead Planner at Adoration Weddings & Events.

Consider curating playlists for different parts of the day—your walk down the aisle, cocktail hour, dinner, and the all-important dance floor. You could even invite guests to contribute a song when they RSVP, turning your reception into a giant shared mixtape.

photo by Nicole Henshaw Photography – full wedding here 

Consider your unique love story

You don’t need to plaster your timeline all over the venue (unless you want to!), but weaving bits of your love story into the day makes everything feel more heartfelt.

Cat DeLine, Owner & Photographer at DeLine Photography LLC, adds, “I had a couple who, due to the military, spent a few years long-distance. While apart, they wrote love letters to each other, not just ordinary letters. These letters contained their love story in both written and artistic drawings. The couple decided to frame and display their letters and displayed them during cocktail hour at their wedding. Guests had the opportunity to witness the couple’s love story in a new and intimate way. It connected their guests to the couple and welcomed them into their journey together.”

Think about what’s yours: Where did you meet? What’s something only the two of you would get? These personal touches bring warmth to the day and remind your guests that they’re not just attending a party—they’re part of your story.

photo by Ally Frances Photo. – full wedding here

Personalise your menu

Food is such a universal love language and a brilliant way to personalise your day. Whether you’re both obsessed with a certain cuisine or you want to honour your family’s cultural roots, your menu is a chance to celebrate your tastes (literally!).

“I think dinner service is something that’s often overlooked when it comes to personalization,” confirms Emily Reno, Owner of The Vegas Planners. “Couples typically choose items from a preselected menu, and it’s usually just dishes that a chef has created for everyone getting married at that venue. But couples can always try to ask the chef or catering manager to customize the menu and even create something unique and special, like the couple’s favorite dish. Maybe they shared a favorite meal together on a rooftop in New York City. Why not ask the chef to recreate that dish and feature it as part of their wedding menu?”

Don’t be afraid to think outside the traditional three-course format, either. Grazing tables, food trucks, and build-your-own dessert stations are all creative (and delicious) ways to make the experience feel more relaxed.

Meaghan Cody, Owner & Planner at Sweet Pea Events, agrees, sharing, “Your wedding should truly express you and your partner, so skip the traditional plated dinner and serve some favorite meals that have had importance in your relationship. Ice cream sandwiches instead of wedding cake? Your guests will love it and feel a part of your story!”

Your menu doesn’t have to be formal to be memorable—it just has to feel like you.

photo by Him & Her Photography – full wedding here 

Don’t forget your décor

Think of your wedding décor as a blank canvas. This is your chance to get creative and make the space your own.

“If you are a couple who likes mismatched décor for your special day, it is a way to showcase it,” highlights Chandai Raghunauth, Owner & Planner at Chandai Events. “Furniture with huge pampas at the corners of each piece can give an airy feeling. You can also do colorful taper candles with dried floral arrangements along with a neutral tablecloth.”

Consider adding personal items that tell a story, like polaroids from your relationship or handwritten quotes that mean something to you both.

Photo by Fabi Rosas Cabo wedding photographer.- full wedding here 

Weddings aren’t one-size-fits-all, and that’s exactly what makes them so special. The more you infuse your day with personal details, the more memorable it becomes. Whether it’s through your music, menu, or a scent that lingers in the air, these unexpected touches will leave a lasting impression on your guests and make your celebration unforgettable!

this is a collaborative post with Meghan Ely who is the founder of OFD Consulting, a wedding PR agency that helps creatives (the ones behind your big day!) get the recognition they deserve. A longtime industry expert and royal wedding fanatic, Meghan Ely also leads the OFD Collective, a resource for pros who want to be seen and celebrated.