Sometimes, it’s nice to shake things up a bit. Your wedding? It doesn’t have to be a cookie cutter wedding that follows the exact traditions that have been around for forever. It can be quite literally whatever you want, and there are nontraditional wedding ideas out there no matter your style! How exciting is it to not be restricted by rules and expectations and instead get to create something that feels just like you?! 

When Anna and Nick decided to tie the knot, they knew they wanted something unique that truly reflected their personalities and their love story. What came from this? A nontraditional, intimate, unique backyard wedding in Northern California. It turned out so beautiful that it just proves that a wedding doesn’t have to be extravagant to be dreamy.

Nontraditional Wedding Ideas from Anna and Nick’s Northern California Wedding

Choose a unique venue that feels like you

Gone are the days when wedding venues had to be grand halls or lavish gardens, and I am HERE for it. Anna and Nick’s choice of a backyard setting turned out to be a stroke of genius. It was the perfect setting for their nontraditional wedding. It turned out so stunning that anyone could easily mistake it for a wedding venue out of a magazine!

Cut the guest list

Your wedding does not have to be the huge event that it sometimes feels “expected” to be. Some people want the biggest party of their lives (which is SO fun if you do want that), but some people feel pressured to put on such a production because it’s traditional. If you want a super-easy way to break tradition and focus on the parts of the day that feel like you, you can cut down your guest list. Making your day more intimate (if that’s what you want!) can take so much pressure off your day! 

For Anna and Nick, the unconventional charm of an intimate gathering was exactly what they had pictured. They got to say “I do” surrounded by just their favorite people, and it couldn’t have been sweeter.

Make your timeline whatever you want

There are long-standing wedding day traditions (like not seeing each other until the wedding ceremony, cake cuttings, special dances, etc) that, honestly, can just be ignored if you don’t like them! The beauty of breaking the rules is that you truly can create your day to be exactly how you want it. Party first and ceremony last? Go for it, girl! 

For Anna and Nick, we had the bride get ready on site and the groom prepare at his own place. As they prepared, I was able to capture every intricate detail, from the wedding attire to the heartfelt moments shared among family and friends. They had the perfect timeline of the day – no rush, no stress, just all laid-back fun and love. 

The ceremony itself was a testament to simplicity and elegance. Quick but heartfelt, it set the tone for the rest of the day’s festivities! Following the vows, the couple opted for a short drive to a nearby park for golden-hour photos of the newlyweds, which, let me tell you, were breathtaking.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, Anna and Nick made their grand entrance as a married couple, radiating joy and contentment, even through the pictures. The celebration that ensued was nothing short of magical – it had the vibes of a huge group hug with all of the couple’s favorite people! 

Choose vendors that get you

Again, we’re over following the cookie-cutter approach to wedding planning, and there are a TON of Northern California wedding vendors that are so on board (like me, hi)! Making sure you choose a team to curate your perfect day that will get you and make you feel supported while you’re breaking traditions? That’s what will make the difference in your day. 

Anna and Nick created the perfect vendor team for their nontraditional wedding. Each vendor played a fantastic role in making the couple’s day become everything they dreamt of. A huge shout out to each and every one!:

Bar: Mobile Mixologist

Catering: Angelina’s Spaghetti House

DJ/MC: Moments to Memories DJ

Floral: Teakae Tied

Hair and Makeup: Jen A King Hair

Lighting: Larcom’s Lighting

Event Rentals: Memorable Events Rentals and Standard Event Rentals

Event Planning: Goodstock Productions 

Grace Thao | Northern California Wedding Photographer

I hope Anna and Nick’s gorgeous, intimate wedding gave you ideas for your own nontraditional wedding ideas. If you’re ready to create something beautiful that feels just like you, reach out to inquire about photography with me. Let’s curate your perfect day together.