The single most important trend driving wedding design in 2016 is the desire for your wedding to truly express your personality. That’s hard to do when every detail is cookie cutter. Here are 7 quirky little twists on tradition to help you really put your mark on your wedding.

Hey! We’re Engaged!
You have to do more to announce your engagement than the ubiquitous ring pic on Facebook and Instagram. Since so many people consider their pets their family, why not have them do it? Take a shot of your fluffy puppy with the headline, “My humans are getting married.” You can even have the shot printed on a postcard as a Save the Date mailer.

You Are Invited…
There has been a trend for a while now of cute, personal graphic designed cards. That’s getting old. There are some amazing artists around the country that will create beautiful hand painted watercolor invitation suites just for you. Why not send out an invitation that is suitable for framing?

Let’s Hear it for the Boys!
Everyone knows that the bride walks down the aisle to her own special song, but hey, isn’t the groom pretty darn special too? I think so. Pick a song that really represents him and have it played as he walks to the altar.

What About the Flowers?
The current darling of Pinterest and the wedding flower world is the fresh picked, wild flower look. Don’t get me wrong, I love it and it’s great in a barn but it just doesn’t work for a ballroom wedding. Why not consider monochromatic. Pick a basic style and a single color then tell your florist to use many different flowers in that same color. From a distance the effect is pops of color; up close the arrangements and bouquets will have an ombre effect.

#Selfies.
Instead of spending a small fortune on a photo booth, designate a selfie booth. Create a backdrop like they use backstage at awards shows with your monogram or logo and the wedding date, or make a backdrop of giant paper flowers. Provide some selfie sticks and a few props if you like. Post a sign with the hashtag for your wedding in the space and let everyone have fun.

Is There a Bar Around Here?
Gone are the buffets and food stations, today the trend is back to seated, multicourse dinners. The problem is that you still want to get your guests up and moving around. Consider, if you will, satelite bars. Rather like food stations but with booze! A mimosa bar, a craft beer bar or a whiskey tasting bar are some good ideas. Think about your beverage of choice and share the love with your friends.

Wow It’s Hot!
Even the most proper diva can work up a sweat dancing till dawn. Have a waiter stroll around the dance floor offering popsicles to your guests. You can do something amazing like hand crafted pops that match your signature cocktail or something as simple and sentimental as Otter Pops.

I hope this gets you thinking of little ways to put your mark on this very special day. Time to show the world who you really are as a couple.