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Tips for Adding a Personal Touch to Your Wedding

The Macleans Photography


Let’s get real—your wedding should feel like you. Not like Pinterest, not like tradition, but authentically, unapologetically, #unabashedlyyou. It’s the little details, the personal twists, and the meaningful moments that make your day unforgettable. So, here are some unique, heartfelt, and creative ways to infuse your wedding with personality:

Unique Ways to Weave Family Heirlooms Into Your Wedding Decor

Emily & Colin


Family heirlooms carry stories and history—exactly the kind of energy you want to bring into your wedding day. Let’s make those treasures shine!

Wear Your Family’s Story
Heirloom jewelry can become the star of your wedding style. Think your grandmother’s delicate necklace, vintage brooches pinned to your bouquet, or timeless cufflinks for the suit-clad crew. Instant style with a side of sentimentality. These touches not only elevate your look but also weave a meaningful connection to your family’s past.

Reimagine Vintage Fabrics
Got a family wedding dress, quilt, or handkerchief gathering dust? Give it new life! Sew a patch of the fabric into your own dress’s liner, transform the fabric into a ring pillow, or even wrap your bouquet handle with it. It’s a nod to tradition but still fresh and creative. It’s a beautiful way to breathe new life into cherished items and pass them forward in style.

Old Photos, New Memories
Create a gallery of family wedding photos or a memory table featuring your loved ones’ snapshots. Pop those photos into charming vintage frames, and voilà—a visual history of love leading to yours. Your guests will love the opportunity to reminisce and see the legacy of love that brought you here.

Set the Table With Legacy Pieces
Break out the antique china or silverware for your sweetheart table or a focal point in your table settings. It’s classy, nostalgic, and oh-so-special. Incorporating these elements creates a tangible connection to the celebrations of generations before you.

Curate an Heirloom Corner
Dedicate a cozy nook to display meaningful items like your mom’s veil, your grandparent’s love letters, or a family recipe book. Add handwritten notes explaining their significance, and watch your guests feel all the feels. This corner becomes a storytelling hub, sparking conversations and shared memories among your guests.

Writing Vows That Hit All the Right Notes

The Macleans Photography


Let’s talk vows: This is your chance to ditch the cookie-cutter script and speak your truth. Daunting? Maybe. But I promise you—it’s worth it. Your vows are your chance to speak directly to your partner in a way that feels authentic, intimate, and unforgettable. Here’s how to make those vows unforgettable:

Take a Stroll Down Memory Lane
Think about the firsts, the adventures, and the milestones. What moments made your relationship what it is today? Jot them down—those little details are pure gold. Reflecting on these moments helps you see the beauty of your journey together and sets the tone for your vows.

Find the Sweet Spot
Your vows don’t need to be an epic saga. Aim for 1-2 minutes of heartfelt, meaningful words. Enough to make everyone smile and maybe shed a tear, but not so much that they’re checking their watches. Keep it short, sweet, and from the heart—your message will land stronger that way.

Mix Promises With Personality
The best vows blend love and laughter. Promise to stand by each other in the tough times and to always share the last slice of pizza. It’s all about balance. Adding personal touches makes your vows feel like they couldn’t belong to anyone else.

Keep It Real
Don’t force yourself to sound like a poet if that’s not your thing. Be authentic. Use your voice. If humor is part of your relationship, sprinkle that in. Your partner fell in love with you, so let your vows be an extension of who you truly are.

Edit, Then Practice
Write it, trim it, and then read it out loud (yes, out loud!). Practice will help you catch any awkward spots and make sure it flows naturally. Reading your vows aloud also helps you connect with the emotion behind the words.

Guest Book Alternatives That Are Anything But Boring

Beautiful Life BC


Let’s retire the standard guest book and opt for something you’ll actually treasure for years to come. These alternatives turn the traditional guest book into a meaningful keepsake you’ll actually want to revisit.

A Bottle of Wishes
Set up a station with bottles and paper slips for guests to write notes, advice, or wishes. Seal them up and open on your anniversaries. A time capsule of love, if you will. It’s like having a mini time machine, filled with love and wisdom from your favorite people.

Piece It Together
A custom puzzle (maybe with a favorite photo or meaningful design) doubles as a fun keepsake. Guests can sign the pieces, creating a tangible reminder of your big day. This interactive option adds a playful and personal element to your wedding.

Whimsical Wishing Tree
A whimsical wishing tree makes for a dreamy decor piece. Guests can write notes on tags and hang them on the branches. Afterward, keep the tags in a scrapbook or shadow box. The tree is not only a decor element but also a symbol of your growing love and community.

Polaroid Guest Book
Set up a Polaroid station and let guests snap photos to add to an album with their well-wishes. It’s personal, interactive, and packed with fun memories. Every photo captures a moment of joy from your day, making it a treasure trove of memories.

Vinyl Record Vibes
If music is your love language, a vinyl record guest book is perfect. Provide markers for guests to sign a vintage record or a custom-printed one. Hang it in your home for instant cool. Another variation would be a signed acoustic guitar; whatever format you choose, this option doubles as art and a reminder of the love and celebration that surrounded you.


Your wedding is the start of your next chapter, so let it reflect who you are. Whether it’s through honoring family heirlooms, crafting heartfelt vows, or creating a guest book with a twist, it’s the personal touches that will make your day uniquely yours. And remember—there’s no wrong way to celebrate your love. Lean into what feels meaningful to you and trust that your authenticity will make your celebration unforgettable.

Step one

It's been a long week and you're ready for Date Night. What's on the agenda?

Step two

You're planning a BBQ with your favourite people:

Step three

Your friend invites you on a spontaneous and pricey international trip. You think:

Step four

You win an all expense paid 4 day vacation to a private island. Do you:

Step five

You attend a friend's wedding at a local glitzy hotel and you think:

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