When you picture a wedding, what comes to mind? If it’s a traditional ceremony with the typical white dress, tuxedos, and pastel decorations, that’s great for some couples—but not for everyone. If you’re drawn to a unique wedding that breaks free from the ordinary, this guide is for you.
As specialists in Palm Springs wedding photography and videography for nontraditional couples, we know firsthand that planning a quirky wedding or an alternative wedding doesn’t mean you have to ditch every tradition—just the ones that don’t reflect your style. Here’s how to create a day that feels authentic to you, while still being a beautiful and memorable celebration.
1. Start with a Vision
The key to any nontraditional wedding is defining what speaks to you as a couple. Think of the atmosphere you want to create. Whether it’s an offbeat wedding with a bit of punk flair, a whimsical quirky wedding full of Wonderlandian details, or a more subdued but personal celebration, your venue and details should reflect your personality.
Tip: Grab the things that make you tick. If you two are huge Potterheads, take inspiration from that. It doesn’t have to be a one-to-one translation. If celebrating your Hufflepuff heritage as a part of your wedding feels a bit too corny, there are ways to include elements of what you love about your favorite passions. While taking inspiration from your favorite Los Angeles wedding photographer or San Diego wedding magazine can be fun, it can be far too easy to get lost in an oversaturated “wedding rut”. Instead, pull directly from what already brings you joy and work backwards.
2. Break the Mold with Your Venue
When planning a unique wedding, the venue is a big deal. Forget the conventional church or ballroom! If you’re into something quirky or nontraditional, you can have your ceremony in a stylish urban loft, an art gallery, a quirky bookstore, or even a speakeasy-style venue. We like to say that the venue is the bones of your wedding: a vendor team can’t fundamentally change the base layer so the less you have to add the better. As a plus, you’ll need to spend less when you like the natural charm a wedding venue has.
Some of our favorite venues that already have a lot of natural character include The Desert Island Country Club (Palm Desert), Flora the Venue (San Diego), the Charleston (OC), and the Vibiana (DTLA).
3. Ditch the “Traditional” Dress (or Wear It Your Way)
While you’ll commonly see the question posited on the Internet “can I wear this for my wedding?”, we’re not fans of the question to begin with. If you’re wearing it, then it’s right for a wedding. If a white ballgown isn’t your vibe, don’t stress! Many nontraditional brides and alternative brides are opting for something that feels more like them—whether it’s a punk bride in a black dress, a jumpsuit, or even a vintage outfit. The groom doesn’t have to wear a stuffy tuxedo either—think leather jackets, patterned shirts, or anything that feels more “them.” We’ve gotten the chance to work fantasy themed weddings and we’re personal fans of Addicted Bespoken, a suit company that crafts unique options. And let’s not forget – there’s no such thing as “bridal”.
4. Personalize Your Ceremony
- Anniversary Box Ceremony: During their intimate beach wedding, Michelle and Tony created an anniversary box containing a bottle of wine and letters they had written to each other. They locked the box during the ceremony, planning to open it on their first anniversary to read the letters and share the wine. emmathurgood.com
- Honor Guard Ring Passing: Instead of a traditional ring bearer, Allison and Jonathan had each ring with a member on each side of their wedding party. During the ring exchange, the officiant requested that their Honor Guards pass each ring down the line, symbolizing the love and support from their closest friends. emmathurgood.com
- Warming of the Rings: Tie your wedding rings together with a ribbon and pass them among your guests during the ceremony. Each person holds the rings briefly, imparting their blessings and well-wishes, infusing the bands with collective love and support. Reddit
- Tree Planting Ceremony: For nature-loving couples, planting a tree together during the ceremony symbolizes your growing love and commitment. It’s an eco-friendly ritual that leaves a lasting legacy and a living reminder of your special day. shanewebber.com
5. Focus on the Fun: Your Reception
After the vows are said and the confetti settles, the reception is your chance to throw the kind of party only you two would host. For some couples, that means a packed dance floor and a killer DJ. For others, it’s something a little quieter, a little weirder, a little more “you.”
One couple handed out custom temporary tattoos—yes, really. Guests were walking around covered in flash sheets of their favorite icons, inside jokes, and little doodles that symbolized their relationship. It was a total hit, and made for some of the best candid photos of the night.
Another couple (coming up soon!) is skipping the dance floor altogether and opting for a Midsummer Night’s Dream-inspired celebration with puzzles, board games, and woodland magic. Think velvet lounges, cozy conversations, and the occasional intense game of Codenames while fairy lights twinkle overhead.
We also had a couple who set up a telescope and invited guests to stargaze after dark, right alongside their cigar bar. It was the perfect blend of romance and chill vibes—like a late summer night around a campfire, but dressed in wedding glam. Moments like that? They stick with people.
Whether you’re planning a disco ball dance party or a picnic under the stars, your reception doesn’t need to follow anyone else’s blueprint. Want to serve pizza and milkshakes instead of a three-course meal? Go for it. Want to skip the bouquet toss and instead honor a loved one with a toast? Yes. Please.
6. Hire a Photographer and Videographer Who Get You
One of the best parts of planning a nontraditional wedding is that you get to hire vendors who truly understand your vision. As huge fans of documentary wedding photography and videography, we know the importance of capturing your day in a way that’s creative and different. We’ve captured couples who are fans of the Simpsons, we’ve shot an elopement in the style of “The Office”.
But it’s a lot more than that. It’s a common misconception that hiring is purely about services. While obviously it’s important to know that a photo and video team can fit into your budget and capture your day the way you envision, you’re hiring people. If we don’t vibe as personalities, your wedding day won’t be the kind of day you’re hoping for. When you’re feeling stressed and overwhelmed, it is your media team that can be the first barrier from the crazy of the day.
Hard truth: little fires will happen all the time. The question is do you have a team who will be able to pivot, put out as many fires as possible, and truly ensure that YOU aren’t the one taking the overwhelm?
That’s always the goal.
Planning a nontraditional wedding “the right way” doesn’t mean checking off boxes — it means throwing out the rulebook and creating something that feels true to you. Whether your day is filled with games instead of dancing, sci-fi references in your vows, or stars and cigars instead of sparklers, your wedding should reflect the weird, wonderful love story you’re already living.
There’s no one-size-fits-all blueprint for what a wedding should look like—and that’s the magic. You get to design a celebration that feels like your favorite movie, your coziest night in, your wildest adventure, or all three rolled into one. And when you’re brave enough to make it personal? That’s when the real moments happen. The goosebumps. The laughter-snorts. The happy tears.
So give yourself permission to dream big, be a little weird, skip the traditions that don’t fit, and embrace the ones that do. We’ll be there to document every beautifully honest second—exactly as it unfolds.
Because the best kind of wedding is the one that feels just like you
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