Ideas for perfect traditions to add to your special day!


Whether you are a sucker for tradition or just looking to spice up your wedding day with a little something different, there are plenty of fun things that you can do on your wedding day to make it completely special and yours. I have seen some awesome traditions from the weddings that I have shot over the past year and these are just a few that have stood out to me and made for some amazing photos! I absolutely love when couples do something special on their wedding day that is a little different from the usual. So if you are looking for something more to add to your special day, check out these ideas below to spice up your wedding day!

#1 Do small desserts and charcuterie! one of the cutest ideas I have seen comes from a styled shoot i did this summer! instead of cake there was a variety of smaller desserts that the couple tried and it was super cute! i love the idea of feeding your new spouse some awesome foods that are bite size!


Rustic barn wedding reception table with white linens, candles and floral decorations.
Couple sharing drinks in rustic reception venue with string lights.
Close-up of elegant wedding appetizers served on decorative spoons in warm lighting.
Rustic wedding dessert display featuring artisan pastries and fresh berries on wooden crates and barrels.
Black and white photo of a couple cutting their wedding cake together.
Elegant floral centerpiece with coral roses next to layered cake and pastries on lace tablecloth.
Tall floral centerpiece with coral and white flowers above tiered cake display.

#2 Exchange vows during your first look Another great idea for your wedding day comes from one of my favorite couples. Kyle is more soft spoken and doesn't like to speak in front of people so during their first look he and caitlin exchanged their vows. I loved this idea and it made for beautiful moments as they read each others kind words to each other after their first look!


Wedding couple embracing outdoors at sunset in a rustic countryside setting.
Candid moment of bride laughing in lace dress with visible tattoos in golden outdoor setting.
Close-up of person in formal vest holding a handwritten note in golden sunlight.
Emotional bride reading heartfelt letter outdoors in warm sunlight wearing delicate lace wedding dress.
Person in formal attire reading from paper while standing in field of pampas grass.
A bride in a lace white dress reads from a letter in a golden sunlit field with autumn pampas grass.
Close-up emotional moment of person reading handwritten note outdoors.
A bride stands in a flowing lace gown reading a letter in front of rustic pampas grass.
Person in gray vest reading personal letter in autumn field setting.
Joyful bride laughing while holding letter outdoors in romantic sunset lighting.

#3 Plant something with your family

this unique unity ceremony idea also comes from caitlin and kyle's wedding day. together with their families they planted a flower together, symbolizing the coming together of their families and the growth into one. It was a beautiful tradition that made their ceremony all the more special.

Wedding ceremony participants gather around rustic wine barrel outdoors with autumn florals.
Wedding party members arrange decorations on wooden barrel during outdoor ceremony.
Group gathered around wooden barrel during outdoor wedding ceremony at sunset.
Wedding guests interact around rustic barrel display at outdoor autumn ceremony.
Wedding celebration group gathered around decorative wine barrel in outdoor setting.
Wedding party members engage in ceremony activities around rustic barrel display outdoors.
Wedding party surrounding rustic barrel with floral decorations outdoors.

#4 Do a sand unity ceremony

one of the more common unity ceremonies is the pouring of sand. Though it is a little more common, it is still one of my favorites! I always love seeing the two colors that the couple picked out come together and the beautiful creation that comes from pouring the sands! Plus this can make for a great decoration for your new home with your spouse!

Wedding decorations and mason jars displayed on wooden surface with romantic message sign.
Couple performing unity ceremony with mason jars on rustic wooden barrel.
Wedding ceremony featuring couple pouring ingredients into mason jars on wooden barrel.
Wedding ceremony with floral decorations and unity ritual around rustic barrel.

#5 Have a father/daughter first look

The last tradition that I absolutely adore is the father daughter first look. I think this is a can't miss moment if you are close with your dad like kaitlyn and her dad! Capturing the moment when a father sees his little girl in her dress for the first time is utterly amazing and I love the images that came from this moment!

Intimate embrace between couple during emotional wedding moment.
Man in light blue shirt and tie standing by red barn with string lights.
White wedding dress descending wooden stairs of red barn building.
A person in a light button-down shirt stands thoughtfully outside a red barn with string lights.
A tender embrace between newlyweds against a rustic red barn wall during their wedding celebration.
An intimate moment captured of a couple embracing against a red barn backdrop.
Emotional moment captured during outdoor wedding ceremony.

And there you have it!

Five perfect traditions to add to your wedding day to make it all the more amazing! These are moments that you for sure won't want to miss out on and your photographer will thank you too for having these amazing traditions to create perfect memories from your big day! Have more ideas for some unique traditions to add to your wedding day? Be sure to comment below so that I can see what other amazing traditions people have used!
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