Edgy Weddings:
Everything You Need to Know
If you want your big day to really show who you and your partner are as a couple, consider a unique wedding. You can easily get inspired with unique wedding ideas from real events, full of personalized details and special moments, and incorporate or add your own touches along the way. With a selection of trusted vendors and magical locations for your unique wedding, our directory features everything you need to start planning your ceremony and reception.
Why are edgy weddings so popular?
Getting married is one of the most intimate moments of your life. For some, going traditional is a way to share the joy of the day with family and friends. For others, unique weddings feel more genuine. Couples might choose unique wedding themes that reflect their personal style and values, or they could simply want to break from the classic wedding traditions. The result? A personalized wedding that honors the couple in a way that stands out and is truly their own.
For food lovers, you might swap out a wedding cake for tasty ice cream cones instead. Meanwhile, some brides might choose edgy wedding dresses with elaborate patterns or bold colors, and others couples get super detailed with unique wedding ceremony ideas. And if you’re ready to think outside the box, some couples love to surprise their guests with unique wedding venues in unexpected places.
Unique weddings often take place in unconventional wedding venues. A wine lover’s favorite local vineyard, a beautiful greenhouse, an ice-skating rink, or a mountaintop all offer the potential to host spectacularly unique weddings. Even a warehouse space may turn out to be a perfect match for your small unique wedding ideas.
Once you’ve decided on the location, you’ll want to think about the ceremony. Some unique wedding ceremony ideas include everything from your style to vendor choices you make. For example, wearing edgy wedding gowns in colors like pink or black or even a jewel-tone palette. There’s nothing more traditional than the classic white gown, so putting a spin on this “staple” is sure to wow your guests as you walk down the aisle. Plus, exchanging unique wedding rings is another small but important detail to connect your overall aesthetic. And for even more special additions, edgy wedding hairstyles (think retro 1960s-inspired updos) is another way to bring in your own twist. With all of these in mind, you also need to have cohesive, edgy wedding photography to tie everything together.
Even if you have your hearts set on getting married in a cute little chapel just outside of town, that doesn't mean unique weddings are out of the question. Infuse your special day with other significant touches, like an unusual color scheme. You can also create a stunning contrast to your traditional venue with edgy wedding dresses. Plus, you can elevate the look with edgy wedding hairstyles and makeup looks.
You’re only limited by your imagination when you plan your unique wedding. Choose unique wedding cake toppers for a witty twist or plan a spectacular surprise exit. These weddings are popular because they’re all about being yourself and getting as creative as possible. Put your heads together to come up with some unconventional wedding ideas that make your event uniquely your own.
How much do edgy weddings cost?
In 2019, the average wedding cost between $30,000 and $35,000. During recent years, people postponed or altered their original wedding plans, so costs were somewhat lower. Since unique weddings are not necessarily more or less costly than any other, the 2019 figures are a good average to go by when you’re setting a budget.
You might save money on edgy wedding dresses as compared to the average cost of $1,500 to $2,000 for bridal shop styles. A vintage find at a thrift store may be a great fit to complement your unique wedding ideas, and it’s possible that some unique wedding dresses in different colors and not necessarily deemed as “bridal” could have a lower price tag.
Unique could also mean custom, and your edgy wedding rings will depend on just how personalized you want them to be. You could also save on unique wedding rings by using jewelry your family has handed down through generations.
One factor to consider when creating a budget for your unique wedding themes is inflation. The cost of edgy weddings, or any wedding for that matter, may have gone up since you started planning. Inflation could impact the cost of unique wedding venues, and the high demand could also make it difficult to book your dream location. Make sure to act fast, and the same goes for other in-demand necessities, such as unique wedding dresses.
Also, your unique wedding plans may include added decorating expenses, such as bringing in a light-up dance floor, disco balls to hang from the ceiling, and more. While unique wedding venues are often super-special, there are so many other unconventional wedding ideas that will give your big day an edge.
Some additional unique wedding ideas, which could affect the overall cost of your special day include:
- Rare or exotic flowers
- Unique accessories for edgy wedding dresses
- Extra postage for unique wedding invitations
- Extra lighting to bring your unique wedding ideas to life
Most couples spend about half their total cost of unique weddings on the reception venue. Keep in mind, though, that the venue comes with staff, set-up, clean-up, and many other necessities. A unique wedding at a place like an Irish estate, for example, will certainly raise the venue cost significantly.
What décor will you need for your edgy wedding venue?
Let your guests know right away that yours will be one of the unique weddings you’ve always dreamed about. For instance, get them in the right mood with romantic-yet-moody dark purple, gray, and silver for your vineyard or rustic barn wedding. Or go with shimmering bronze, black, and olive green for an elegant-yet-edgy wedding vibe. We also love the idea of burgundy, black, and green for a Midsummer Night's Dream-inspired forest theme.
Your choice of a unique wedding invitation is another great way to announce your special day. An essential part of all unique weddings, these invites will not only introduce your edgy color scheme, but they’ll also communicate your style and overall mood of the event. For instance, your edgy wedding invitations could feature a bold pattern or feature a one-of-a-kind color combo.
Lighting is another great way to highlight unique wedding themes at both your ceremony and the reception. Colorful stage lights give the dance floor an otherworldly appearance, while a disco ball that strobes to the music is impossible to resist. Lovely antique candelabras can also add aromantic touch for unique weddings hosted at warehouse venues, and suspended tea lights can provide a magical twinkle above your dining tables.
The food and drink you serve at your reception should reflect your unique wedding ideas too. Shop around for a unique wedding caterer who can translate your small unique wedding ideas into food and drinks that wow your guests with fabulous bursts of flavor. Choose from unique wedding cake toppers to express your signature as a couple.
The music and band you select to serenade your guests should also suit the mood and match your choice of unique wedding themes. For example, if you are celebrating inside such unique wedding venues as a planetarium, hire musicians who can fill the high ceilings with beautiful notes. On the flip side, you can choose music that provides a delightful contrast to your unique wedding themes, like your favorite rock music in a stately mansion setting.
How do you start to plan an edgy wedding?
To start planning one of these incredibly unique weddings, we recommend looking through our directory of real events. By looking through these weddings, you can easily find the inspiration you’re looking for, whether it’s small unique wedding ideas or the vendors who can help you make it all happen. Get great ideas for unique weddings from hundreds of real wedding photos, and find contact information for the unique wedding venues and vendors who will bring it all to life.