From that first “yes” to the final “I do,” here are our favorite ways to make your wedding feel true to your personality and style by embracing customizable details and intentional design.
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When I was asked to share with MyNorth readers my expertise on customizing a wedding day experience, one of our 2023 couples, Anthony and Bryan, came to mind. From the very first call to bringing their special day to fruition, these two shared their desire to truly customize their experience in a way that their guests would feel the thought and heart that went into planning their event.
In one of our first conversations, Bryan mentioned his passion for creating custom stained-glass pieces for his clients at his company Beran Glass Co. So naturally, many calls ended with Bryan having a longer to-do list, as Anthony and I would encourage him to craft and incorporate more and more stained-glass pieces throughout their wedding design. We started with the idea of a beautiful stained-glass piece hanging at the altar where they would wed, and ended with custom table numbers and stained-glass pieces to serve as escort cards for their guests, which doubled as favors. Bryan even created custom pieces to thank their “I Do Crew” for being the best support team.
Photo by Courtney Kent
This was the most heartfelt way to share not only a talented artist’s craft with their guests, but also to share the story that led Bryan to his love of stained glass. When Bryan discovered a broken jewelry box his late father made for his mother, he felt a strong desire to put the pieces back together, and in doing so, gained so much love and connection to his father.
I share this story of Anthony and Bryan with a full heart. Their caring, creative personalities shined through in all that they did in preparation for their big day.
For those just beginning to dream up their wedding vision, here are some helpful starting points for customizing your event to suit your personal style and story:
Photo by Courtney Kent
2. Unique Escort Cards & Favors
Often favors on a table get left behind. I recommend a customized favor for your guests that can have a dual purpose, such as the stained-glass escort cards Bryan created for their guests. Another fun idea we curated with a different couple was escort pieces that were luggage tags. The couple loved traveling, so they wanted to showcase their wedding style with a custom luggage tag for each guest.
1. Customized Wedding Stationery
This is a great way to set the tone and let guests know what to expect. From the messaging to the design, this is the first introduction to your big day. For Anthony and Bryan’s wedding, we worked with Holly of Holly Thomas Design, sharing their love of navy and the geometric shapes often seen with Bryan’s art. Holly implemented these concepts into the invitation suite design and day-of stationery.
Photo by Courtney Kent
Photo by Courtney Kent
3. Wedding Decor that Brings Your Style to Life
This can be customized with a linen in your favorite color, or vintage furnishings from your favorite era. When designing Anthony and Bryan’s wedding, I sourced this non-traditional linen napkin with a design that resembles broken pieces of stained glass. The napkins were the perfect complement to the rich navy velvet linens. Decor is a large visual impact on your day, so customizing these elements is the best way to convey your style as a couple.
Photo by Courtney Kent
Photo by Courtney Kent
4. Express Your Personality with Signature Cocktails
This trend is always popular. Signature cocktails are a fun way to express your style and personalities, and guests get to have fun trying out your favorite drinks. Couples often create customized signage at their bar to share their signature cocktail selections, and Anthony and Bryan’s bar featured their beloved dog, Izzy, who even made a special celebrity appearance on the cocktail stirrers!
Uniquely Yours Wedding Vendor Resources
Photography: Courtney Kent Photography, Event Planning & Design: Conradie Event Design, Stained Glass Art: Beran Glass Co., Stationery Design: Holly Thomas Design, Floral Design: Sweetwater Floral, Venue: The Peninsula Room, Linens: Event Theory & Nüage Designs.
Melissa Conradie lives in Traverse City with her husband, Dawie, and English bulldog, Lola. Melissa’s event planning and design company—Conradie Event Design—has been creating unique memories in exceptional locations since 2011.