wedding style— Un-Wedding definition

Definition of Un-Wedding created by founder Melissa Woods

So what is an Un-Wedding?

Back in 2015 when The Un-Wedding launched, I wrote my own definition of what an Un-Wedding is because I was aware of the inevitable ‘divorce’ wise cracks that the term was going to get. I defined as this:

‘A marriage ceremony and awesome celebration that cares less about following outdated traditions and more about reflecting who the couple really are.’

I wrote it out as though it had come straight from the dictionary, clever huh? … I even tried to get it listed in the Urban Dictionary but they kept rejecting me, I’m not sure why?!

I wanted to make it crystal clear to people, especially those who thrive on following wedding traditions but have never considered the meaning behind them and whether or not they align with the tradition in the first place!

I wanted to make it easy for those of you who are planning your own Un-Wedding to shut people up when they tell you that ‘you can’t do that, it’s not tradition!’

I’ve seen this definition re-shared over and over again (often without credit) because I guess it’s people think it’s a legit dictionary term, and I love that. But if you are reading this blog today “What Is An Un-Wedding?”, or you are discovering this term for the very first time, I just want you to know that you are getting it straight from the source.

I hope it resonates with you.

And if it does, you’re welcome.

An Un-Wedding is a non-traditional wedding ceremony and celebration that breaks away from the conventions of traditional weddings. There is no one-size-fits-all definition of an un-wedding...and that is truly the essence of one!

Non-traditional venues, wedding wear, and ceremonies are not unusual anymore. A non-traditional wedding is no longer reserved for odd hobbyists (although, weirdos are always welcome here)

A bride in a pink wedding dress is standing next to a life sized Unicorn that her groom is sitting on. — An Un-Wedding is a place where even Unicorns exist! Photo from real-life Un-Wedding by Book Of Love directory babe Lauren Elliott Photography Lauren Elliott Photography. See more here!

Let’s start with the ceremony

OK, let’s tackle the big one – the wedding ceremony - a great example of when a traditional wedding becomes an un-wedding. Creaking with tradition and often a sore point when couples families feel differently about how this should go!

Want to get married in a castle with your dog watching on, or in a field with 100 people, you can! Do you want to add in a wine ceremony or handfasting - you can! Whatever excites you and you can imagine, a celebrant can be there to make sure your wedding, that you want can happen. Here’s a revelation that the Un-Wedding is passionate about highlighting….your wedding can actually be all about you and your love, and wait for it…… the ceremony can be fun, even funny, where people laugh (if that’s what you want) and enjoy themselves. Ceremonies don’t just have to be the traditional bit that everyone has to endure before the party, they can be the enjoyable bit that starts your wedding day. Your celebrant will take the time to get to know you, so when they are stood with you for your ceremony, they know the journey you have been on to get there. Just make sure you pick the celebrant that fits best with the ceremony you want to have!

An Un-Wedding ceremony can still be secular or religious, but now the number of other options out there means something in between can suit everyone. Once you’ve signed on the dotted line – a wedding celebrant can help you create a ceremony that reflects you. They can accommodate couples of all faiths, backgrounds, and sexual orientations. They can also help couples to incorporate elements from their different cultures or traditions into their ceremony...and handily, we have listed our favourites here in our Book of Love...more on that soon!

We know plenty of celebrants that help with so much more too – anything from pre-wedding jitters advice to suggesting other banging suppliers.

Couple stood holding hands laughing in front of their wedding guests at their modern celebrant led wedding - Photography by Hello Sweetheart Photography — An awesome Un-Wedding style celebrant led ceremony perfect for the bride and groom and enjoyed by the couple AND their wedding guests.

Forget the outdated and make new traditions!

Having an Un-Wedding is your chance to make some new traditions, ones that are suited to you, and not your dead ancestors or, the patriarchy.

Your family, friends, and loved ones know you. OK, maybe Nana won’t recognise you after you’ve had a few tequilas but your Un-Wedding is a chance to welcome YOUR people to YOUR wedding, inside the magical wonderland that is YOUR love story.

Met on a dancefloor? Hire a banging DJ!.

In fact, you can hire ANYTHING for weddings these days – incredible designer wedding gowns, neon props worthy of festival stages, life-sized Unicorns, and interactive props that don’t involve sweaty wigs or inflatable saxophones...the point is, your wedding is an Un-Wedding because you have chosen to reflect YOUR vibe instead of the outdated formula set by the traditional wedding industry.

The Un-Wedding’s Book Of Love directory and live event, The Un-Wedding Show, have been designed to help nurture your Un-Wedding plans and make the process easy and fun!

Cool wedding props to hire by vowed and amazed - photo Wayne La — Awesome shimmer wall from Book Of Love babes Vowed and Amazed who wouldn’t want this at their wedding! Photo by another Book Of Love babe Wayne La

Choose the best people for the job in The Un-Wedding’s Book Of Love directory

The Book Of Love online wedding directory is the bible for modern couples - we’ve cherry-picked the UK’s top creative wedding suppliers to help you cut to the chase with your Un-Wedding planning.

We have curated a list of everything you’ll need for your Un-Wedding, including things that you didn’t know existed! Audio Guest Books, Live Portrait Booths, Wedding Tarot Readers, Bespoke wedding signage… you name it!

A hand-painted, wooden wedding sign against a white brick wall. The sign says 'The McCreadies' in a beautiful typography. — Beautiful bespoke wedding signage by Book Of Love directory babe Sylvie Signs.

Live the definition of The Un-Wedding and make your own traditions!

If you want to have your own Un-Wedding, this is a reminder that YOU CAN! Get a ticket to one of our upcoming shows here and meet the people behind the awesome brands and businesses who can help you make it happen. Go for it! Focus on what you want and make your own traditions, rather than following what everyone else does, because you feel you should. Or if you can’t wait for a show coming to a city near you, check out our awesome Book Of Love directory and be inspired to make your own choices for a wedding day that reflects you.