Today I had one of my clients tell me she was”against a photo booth because everyone has one“. At first I was kinda taken aback a little at that reason, but then I realized well.. when designing her theme we had moved away from her original Fall theme to a more “Nerdy chic” recently for a similar reason.
But this time it made me really think for a moment about that reasoning – not because I think everyone should have a photo booth or move away from seasonal themes, but because is that reason really a good one and is there then some fault in me somehow for suggesting a new theme?
But then I realized that’s not what happen exactly. So let me explain.
It’s your wedding day – just you and your partner – that alone has made it unique. So why is there often this feeling of need to try to make that day even more original and different that anyone else? I mean.. Everyone has a cake or cupcakes even, everyone has a DJ, everyone has a planner (if you don’t, call me!) and yes many people now have a photo booth, but just because everyone else does, does that mean you shouldn’t?
No I don’t think so.
For one you can make each of those “typical” elements more about the two of you with all kinds of customization that many of these vendors offer for that exact reason – to make their product ever more about your celebration!
Second, if you’re only reason for not wanting something (that you actually do kinda want or would at least like to incorporate something similar) is only because “everyone else is doing it“- you are doing yourselves a disservice because this is your special day and if you both want to have something no matter if it’s “cheesy” or “normal” or even if its “weird” or “unusual” then you should! Because it’s literally a day about the two of you and everyone is there celebrating and therefore go ahead and celebrate in whatever style and however you want!
Now, if you don’t want one of the many different “norms” that a lot of weddings have because you literally just don’t want it and it doesn’t fit you guys… then don’t have them. Not everyone does a bar, candy or alcohol, not everyone has real musicians for their ceremony, not everyone does a cake even! I had a couple do cookies and another have donuts! And yes these were unique, but many of the other elements of their weddings were the usual finds and expectations and what one could say was “basic”, but did that make the overall experience and day “boring” or more “different”.
No.
Because they were themselves this great, unique, couple who had their friends and family coming together to celebrate them. Those nights were unique because honestly never will that setting, with that meaning, and all those same people come together again.
When I thought about it more, I remembered that I didn’t steer my client away from a Fall wedding because it was “overdone”- it was because she had been talking about adding their favorite colors in (and stressing because they are Christmasy colors) and she just really wanted to incorporate each of their personalities. Which is what gave me the idea to just start tailoring the theme, decor, mood to be more about them than about the season. Yes, nerd can also be considered a theme (one that is actually becoming quite popular), but from all of the numerous aspects of “nerdom” they have to choose from – they are specifically using what they like and just what they want to have. Just as one could do if they did have a Fall theme – you can choose to highlight any aspects you want – you can go over the top, be minimal, be somewhere in the middle of how much Fall aspects you want to incorporate etc… it doesn’t matter because at the end of your wedding day what should matter is that you are happy and had a good time.
So choose whatever elements you guys want, don’t let anyone change your mind because they said you need to be more “original”- you two are already original and that’s what the wedding celebration is already about. I have done and seen a lot of weddings and I have never had one that was the exact same as another. Did they have similarities, sure of course! But the thing they have all had in common were the happy couples who had a wonderful, incredible and fun night to remember.
Happy Planning to you all!
Emily