40 Unique Ideas to Personalize your Wedding / Elopement Day

Let’s face it, weddings in 2025 are no longer about following a cookie cutter recipe, where you just cut up some burlap and invite 150 of your parent’s friends to a fancy dinner. Now, unique and meaningful and sometimes non-traditional is the name of the game.

Honestly, the more experience I have with weddings, and after getting married myself over 8 years ago, all I can suggest is that you plan your wedding to be specific for YOU and your partner. What makes you tick? What are your favourite activities? What will make your day special and amazing and about YOU TWO and the promises you’re making to each other?

I compiled a list of ideas for fun wedding / elopement day activities you can do with your partner to make the day a bit more special, to carve out some time with just the two of you, and create a day that will live in your memories forever. It’s not just about beautiful portraits (though of course I like those too) It’s also about creating a day full of meaning.

The goal for me sharing these ideas is to help elevate your day to the next level, whether you’re in a city, cozy cabin, or surrounded by mountains.

Here we go!

Cozy indoor activities together at your venue or lodging:

  • Write vows together

  • Sing or play instruments together

  • Help each other get ready

  • Eat a meal together

  • Hot tub

  • Drinking coffee/tea

  • Play a board game

  • Work out or do yoga

In a city environment? Here are some ideas:

  • Rent a room in a restaurant for private meal or wine tasting

  • Visit a museum or gallery

  • Grab coffee or snacks at a cozy cafe

  • Ice cream or some other dessert

  • Visit some shops or vintage stores

  • Check out a farmers market

  • Outdoor concert anyone?

  • Cheers at a local brewery

  • Library

  • Visit the aquarium or zoo

  • Karaoke bar

  • Explore a local park or garden

  • Get matching tattoos



For the outdoorsy folks:

  • Go hiking! (or take a gondola)

  • Set up a hammock

  • Set up an epic picnic

  • Have a snowball fight

  • Visit a food truck festival or outdoor winery

  • Have a campfire

  • Ride your bikes / skateboards etc

  • Go swimming

Now for the extra adventurous..


Now here’s the thing - I’m not saying you have to do any of this! But I think it’s important to see that the day can be about whatever you want and you don’t have to follow the typical recipe. Is there something you two like to do together? Play dungeons and dragons, hit a new PR at the gym, or just snuggle on the couch watching your favourite Youtuber?

Your wedding day can be anything you want it to be! And oftentimes people spend so much time apart from each other, until the ceremony actually begins. I hope this encourages you to carve out some quality time and maybe do something fun together.

If you need help capturing your one-of a kind day contact me! I’m based in the Fraser Valley / Vancouver BC and would love to chat.

WeddingsTaryn Starewedding ideas, non-traditional wedding, vancouver elopement, vancouver wedding, adventure wedding, adventurous elopement