If you love glitz and glam, consider adding some modern touches to your wedding day. Mix in a dash of uniqueness and your personality for an unforgettable event.

Rather than walking side-by-side or hand-in-hand, have one member of the bridal party give another person a piggyback ride for a fun entrance. This also adds a sense of comradery to the day.

1. Destination Weddings

Whether they’re on the beach or in a mountaintop castle, destination weddings are an increasingly popular option. In the past, a destination wedding referred to a wedding outside of a couple’s home state, but these days, that definition is much broader.

It can include any event hosted in a locale that’s not the bride and groom’s hometown, from elopements to large-scale weddings. It’s also become more inclusive, with many couples opting to host a local party for family and friends who can’t travel or just prefer the traditional route.

One way to show your love for a specific place is by featuring it on your invitations or favors. For example, Jackson worked with a couple to commission artwork merging the skylines of their respective hometowns—hers, Washington, DC, and his, London—which was printed on cards and used as wedding favors. That kind of personalized touch helps your guests feel like they’re traveling with you.

2. Time Capsules

For the couples who want to create something that will mark their wedding for a future date this is a wonderful idea. You can include anything that is important to you and your partner including invitations, a photo from the engagement, a note to each other, a piece of your cake, a bottle of wine, honeymoon memorabilia and more. You will need to carefully select the container to keep it safe, it should not react with any of the objects inside so a glass or stable plastic vial with a screw-top lid would be ideal.

If you’re a fan of ballet you could hire ballerinas to wow your guests and perform at your reception. Or if your groom’s profession is basketball you might have arcade-style hoops set up for the guests to shoot some balls. Personalized bespoke printed coasters are another way to give your guests fun things to do at their table – they can even take them home as a favour!

3. Hashtags

A memorable wedding hashtag is a must, but creating one can be difficult when you’re juggling all the other wedding planning duties. Luckily, there are experts ready to take on the task of creating a one-of-a-kind wedding hashtag for your big day. Just be sure to capitalize each separate word so it’s easy to read and not misread — especially since you’ll have this hashtag on your save-the-dates and tagged photos forever!

A simple way to create a unique wedding hashtag is by using your and your fiance’s first and last names or a cute play on words. Including the date or year is another great way to make it more personalized. You can even get your wedding guests involved by enlisting them in the brainstorming process to come up with ideas. You might be surprised at their creativity! A fun idea is to use a play on words with your favorite television show or movie.

4. Unique Guestbook Ideas

If you’re not a fan of the traditional guest book, try a unique alternative like this one. Instead of having guests sign a sheet of paper, this couple had them fill out small wooden hearts for a more sentimental memento.

If a particular theme or aesthetic is running through your wedding, use it as inspiration for a fun guestbook idea! For instance, this travel-inspired couple had their guests sign postcards from different cities that the pair wanted to visit. This way, they can look back on their loved ones’ recommendations once the big day is over.

You can also use the same concept with board games. This playful option allows your guests to leave you with a message that can be played over and over again. Alternatively, you can ask your guests to sign Jenga blocks with their messages for a guest book that doubles as a functional game. This is also a great idea for couples that are obsessed with Scrabble.

5. Boutonnieres

In addition to being a beautiful wedding centerpiece flower, bouquets can be customized to fit your personality and interests. One couple used their initials in calligraphy to personalize each bridesmaid’s floral bouquet. Another opted for a unique table runner, made of flowers that matched each girl’s birth month.

Typically reserved for members of the bridal party, boutonnieres are also an excellent way to give special attention to anyone important at your ceremony or reception. For example, ushers play an essential role in helping guests find their seats and can be easily identified by their boutonnieres. It is a nice touch to make these boutonnieres different from those worn by the groomsmen.

Likewise, stepdads are also an important part of any family and giving them their own boutonniere is a wonderful way to show your appreciation for them on your special day. Other creative options for boutonnieres include Legos, golf tees, action figures, feathers, pinwheels, and guitar picks.

6. Google Shared Albums

As everyone has a smartphone and is fairly tech-savvy, capturing photos and videos at weddings is easier than ever. But sharing them is another story!

Instead of giving guests disposable cameras to take their own photos, put together an online album for all of your guests to upload their images and video to. Just be sure to have a designated collection point such as a cute basket or receptacle for the cameras, and be clear in your instructions about the process.

Another option is an app that was built specifically for collecting wedding photos, such as The Guest, which requires guests to download the app and join your event album. This could be more invasive and difficult for larger weddings, but can be an excellent way to get every photo and video from your big day. You can also try other apps that allow you to personalize a shared album with a link or QR code, and which anyone can contribute from any device.

7. Hanging Floral Installations

It’s hard to browse Instagram or Pinterest without coming across a breath-taking floral installation. These oversized rings of blooms, greenery and other botanical elements offer a fusion of nature with splendor and can serve as both ceremony and reception backdrops. They can also camouflage less-picturesque venue details (think tent poles or the exposed beams of a raw barn), add dimension to a glitzy ballroom or lighten up centerpiece-heavy tablescapes.

Consider pairing your floral installation with a garland for an added touch of texture. These long, rope-like arrangements typically consist of greenery leaves but can also include flowers, and they can be used to dress up staircase banisters or door frames, adorn table runners or chairs, or be strung on a ceiling to create a tented effect at a reception space.

If your wedding has a monochromatic color palette, opt for a sweeping installation of baby’s breath or other white blooms. When paired with rattan lanterns, the pictured display generates an organic, bohemian aesthetic that complements a bayside destination wedding or a pared-back ballroom bash.

8. Live Painting

Guests are looking for unique wedding gifts, and searches for ‘wedding gift idea’ have doubled in the past year. Consider allowing guests to choose their own personal gift, like a personalized note, a bucket list item, or marriage advice.

Displaying your heritage on your big day can add a meaningful touch to your ceremony and reception. You could display your clan tartan, an Indian print, or African kente cloth on anything from invitations to ring pillows to table runners.

You could also opt to hire a live artist who will paint your ceremony and/or reception from photos. This is a great way to leave loved ones with a lasting memory of your big day. Make sure to ask artists what their style is and whether it matches your vision for the day. For example, if you’re hoping for photo realistic paintings, don’t choose an abstract painter. This will affect the quality of your final product.

9. Birthstones

While traditional birthstones are a classic choice for brides, jewelers have been adding to the modern list. Recent additions include citrine and spinel, both of which are perfect for a bright wedding.

Peridot is a pretty, olive green gemstone that is the ideal match for nature-loving brides. It has been used in jewellery for centuries, with peridot symbolising admiration and loyalty.

Sapphires are often viewed as the most romantic of all the gems and come in a wide range of colours. A sapphire ring can represent trust, purity and honesty – all key values in a marriage.

Opals are one of the most magical and colourful stones. Traditionally associated with a sky blue colour, they actually come in many different hues including amber, yellow or a blushing pink-orange. They are a great option for a unique bride looking for a truly one-of-a-kind ring. Similarly, amethyst is another beautiful option that suits warm and cool colours. For example, this vintage bangle features a central oval-cut amethyst with split pearl foliate design to either side.