As a professional wedding photographer, I, Curtis Wallis, have seen countless brides walk down the aisle. While most tend to wear the traditional white gown, I note that many are incorporating special personal touches into their big day beyond the typical “something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue.” Let’s explore some unique ways you can make your wedding celebrations truly your own.
A Sixpence in Your Shoe
An old English rhyme suggests including “a sixpence in your shoe” for good luck. I recently photographed a bride, Jessica, who plans to place the same sixpence her fiancé’s mother wore on her wedding day in her shoe. She will also don her grandmother’s original wedding band. These heirlooms carry far more meaning than anything purchased from a store.
Cherished Keepsakes
Many brides I work with seek out small mementos to seamlessly incorporate into their attire or ceremonies. For example, one bride, Jennifer, will sew a swatch from her grandmother’s cherished blouse into the lining of her wedding gown. And rather than carry flowers, she’ll clutch her great-grandmother’s Bible – just as her mother did on her wedding day.
A Modern Twist
Some old traditions – like English brides carrying a heavy horseshoe – prove rather impractical today! As a more modern take, I’ve seen brides wear small, decorative horseshoe bracelets and charms to symbolize the good luck once associated with the larger iron versions.
Make it Meaningful
Whether following cultural customs or forging new rituals, the wedding traditions I capture carry special significance. I have witnessed couples incorporating soil from their hometowns into ceremonies held in different cities.
Remember, showing your unique love and personality as a couple needn’t require something completely original. Simply surrounding yourselves with loved ones and letting your joy shine demonstrates what the day means to you.
