8 ideas for an alternative wedding
Planning your big day and looking for something… different?
Good news – not every wedding needs a three-course meal, a five-piece band, or even a white dress! If you’re after a day that feels more personal, relaxed, or unexpected, here are some alternative wedding ideas that break with tradition (and don’t break the bank!).
Think of some out-of-the-box games
Forget lawn bowls and croquet. If you’re having a garden or festival-style wedding, consider games that get people laughing and mingling.
Think: human bingo (“Find someone who’s been to the couple’s first holiday destination”), a quiz based on your relationship timeline, or even a mini escape room challenge in a tent.
For something simple, set up a station with classic party games – giant Jenga, Cards Against Humanity, or even Twister after a few drinks – and let guests take it from there.
Games work best when they’re easy to dip into, don’t require long explanations, and can accommodate all age groups. Print a how-to sign, add a few comfy chairs, and keep the mood casual!
Skip the traditional sit-down meal
Sit-down meals can eat up time and budget, and they often slow down the flow of the day. For something different, go for food vans, a build-your-own buffet, or long communal tables with shared platters.
Late-night toastie bars, curry stations, or DIY tacos also tend to go down well! You can also theme your food around somewhere meaningful, like the country where you got engaged or your local area.
Whatever you do, make sure the setup allows people to move, talk, and eat at their own pace.
Switch up the ceremony space
Registry offices and licensed barns are not your only options. You could hold the legal part earlier in the week, just the two of you and witnesses, and have a symbolic ceremony anywhere you like. Beaches, woodlands, gardens, warehouses, community halls – they’re all fair game if you’ve already done the legal part!
This gives you more freedom with timing, location, and even who leads the ceremony. A close friend or family member can guide the event – and this often feels more intimate and less scripted. You could even add your own elements, such as shared vows or group singalongs.
Have a wedding after-party
If you’ve kept the ceremony low-key or hosted a micro-wedding earlier in the year, throw a larger after-party when you’re ready.
This could be anything from a BBQ in a rented field to a pub takeover or a weekend away with friends.
You might not need to call it a wedding at all. Invite people for a “celebration of us,” stick on a playlist, and hand out name tags with things like “met at uni” or “friend of the bride’s cousin” to help people connect. It can be more relaxed than a formal day, and just as memorable!
Let guests DJ the party
Skip the professional DJ and let your guests take control of the playlist. You can do this a few ways: set up a collaborative Spotify playlist for people to add songs in advance, or leave a tablet and speaker connected to a pre-approved queue of songs. Some couples even set up a “DJ booth” corner with costume props and a fake mic, just for the photos!
To avoid chaos, assign a friend to be the music moderator, or create a short “no play” list for anything you definitely don’t want to hear (like your ex’s favorite song or Agadoo).
Do a ‘first shot’ instead of a first dance
If dancing feels awkward or just not you, swap the first dance for a shared toast or “first shot” with your guests.
You can pour something meaningful – your favorite whiskey, a locally made spirit, or even just a fizzy elderflower cordial – and raise a glass together.
Make it interactive by printing short toasts on each glass (“To messy nights and quiet mornings” / “To the time they got locked out in Kraków”). It sets the tone for a fun evening without any pressure to perform.
Create a DIY lounge area
Instead of hiring extra tables and chairs, pull together a DIY lounge using mismatched sofas, armchairs, pouffes, and rugs. You can source furniture from friends, second-hand shops, or local prop hire companies. Add a few standard lamps, low tables, and string lights, and it instantly feels like a house party in a field!
This gives guests somewhere to take a breather, chat without shouting, or even feed the baby in peace. If you’re getting married somewhere rural or festival-style, it’s a way to make the space feel more comfortable without a massive budget.
Host a free roulette table with jokey prizes
Casino-style setups can be fun, but keep the stakes light.
For any gambling-style games – like roulette or blackjack – don’t involve real money. You don’t want guests losing cash at your wedding!
Instead, run a free roulette table with silly or playful prizes. Ideas include:
- plaster and Berocca set labeled “Tomorrow survival kit”
- mini microphone for karaoke performances
- disposable camera with a challenge card
- pair of glittery sunglasses
- temporary tattoo pack
Give guests tokens when they arrive and let them use them to “bet” during the reception. You’ll get the fun atmosphere of a casino, without any pressure or risk.
Final thoughts
An alternative wedding doesn’t need to be loud or quirky – just personal. If the usual traditions don’t feel right, skip them. Build a day that feels like yours, and you’ll remember it forever!
