How To Incorporate Your Personality Into Your Wedding Day, As Told By Washington D.C. Wedding Vendors 

While your wedding day is a celebration of your love and commitment to one another, it is also the PERFECT time to have a little fun and showcase your unique interests and personalities! This post compiles advice from 11 different Washington D.C wedding vendors who have a passion for providing their couples with an amazing wedding experience.

There are countless ways to make sure your wedding day is true to who you are as a couple, from working with a stationer who can create custom wedding invitations, to crafting a signature cocktail that will delight your guests. Keep reading to gain insight on how you can infuse your personalities into your wedding day and truly make it your BEST DAY EVER.

Wedding Videography

 

Michael Lemley Films

@michaellemleyfilms

“One of the things that makes for a great wedding video is being able to capture my couples’ unique personalities on the day with lots of candid moments and personal audio. Consider writing personal vows, letters to each other, and talking with your officiant beforehand to have a ceremony that is the perfect reflection of who you are! One last tip is don’t be afraid to laugh and be yourselves in front of the camera. It will work wonders”.

Virginia Cake Artist

 

Shanna and Dakota of Crumbs and Crumbles

@allthecrumbles

“We encourage our couples to be true to their own style. Your wedding day is really about the two of you and your guests will love to experience what that means. Don’t be afraid to serve a flavor that’s new or unique like whiskey caramel. Don’t shy away from color and have an entire tier covered in a deep emerald green. Ask your cake artist to incorporate things that are special to you as a couple. Things such as figures of your pets hiding in the flowers or Star Wars spaceships made of fondant are a fun touch to surprise your guests and share a part of yourselves. Your cake artist wants to hear these things and will want to create something that is truly original and unique to you!”

Northern Virginia Wedding Florist

 

Keturah of One Last Avocado

@onelastavocado

“My best advice for infusing your personality into your wedding florals is to think about the vibe of your wedding. Your wedding is a reflection of you as a couple. Here are some questions I ask clients:

•  When you think about your wedding, what do you want it to be like? Is it a formal event, a fun party, or an intimate, romantic event? If it’s a fun party, don’t be afraid to add color! For that matter, if it’s any of the above, don’t be afraid to add color.

• What is something special I can incorporate just for you as a couple? I’ve had requests for brooches from loved ones, a touch of rosemary to remember someone by, a scarlet begonia from their favorite song. It’s all about what YOU want.

• Do not be afraid to think outside the box. Utilize Pinterest and it’ll help you narrow down what you truly love.

•  Finally, choose a florist that you connect with and can bounce ideas around with, they’ll be able to help guide you to the perfect flowers for your event whether it’s a secluded elopement or a party with a bounce house!”

Washington D.C. Wedding Calligraphy and Signage

 

Kate of Paper Kate Co.

@paperkateco

“Personalizing your escort card display and bar area are some of my favorite opportunities to do something unique to you as a couple. These are perfect areas of your wedding to have a little fun, think outside the box, and incorporate something totally YOU that your guests will love. Get creative with your signature drinks, incorporate your favorite place or hometown into your escort card display, or put your pup on your cocktail napkin! The possibilities are endless in these areas – have fun!”

Wedding Planning and Coordination

Laura of Grit And Grace

@gritandgraceinc

“We always try to encourage couples to stay true to their story and their personalities and not get swayed too far with trends or go down a Pinterest hole of other couples’ weddings. This can be hard to do when inspiration is everywhere but we usually start with where people live their daily lives…in how they decorate their homes, what stores they shop in, what activities they are known for as a great jumping off point. When guests come to a wedding it should be comfortable, familiar and showcasing who the couple is on their best day. Ensuring that guests recognize nuances that match the couple at the wedding, makes it personal”.

Sam of Willa Weddings

@willaweddings

“My favorite part of being a wedding planner and designer is helping my couples infuse their personalities and love stories into their wedding! I see this done in so many ways but I have a couple favorites. First is desserts – for example, if you don’t love cake but love pie, have a “pie cutting” instead of a cake cutting and host a pie bar! Same can be done with cookies or even non-desserts like pizza! Choose what you and your fiancé love most! Another thing to personalize are your escort cards and guest tables. One of my 2021 brides named each table after a Washington D.C. landmark in lieu of table numbers because she and her fiancé live in and love D.C. Each escort card had an illustration of a D.C. landmark! You can also create a statement escort wall with small favors, flowers, or a favorite quote! Don’t forget that your wedding day is a time to celebrate your love for each other and it should represent you both perfectly!”

Northern Virginia Makeup Artist

 

Brittany of Izzy B Makeup

@izzybmakeup

“Wedding day makeup, in my opinion, is all about your personality! For example, it can be used to enhance features on the face (if you want a simple, low key makeup look) or add drama (if that’s “you”), or mellow out a dress that is very “loud”! However with all that in mind — balance in key! Go less is more with your makeup if your dress is over-the-top stylish and the opposite is true if your dress is very simple then you could add a little more personality and transform your look from super simple, to elegant, modern or even retro! Makeup really can set a tone for your wedding day. Make sure you see YOU when you look in the mirror — the whole package: dress, makeup, jewelry, hair, flowers, etc!”

 

Mens Formalwear

 

Melissa of Cape Cod Formals

@capecodformals

“Wear what feels good. If dressing up sounds daunting, opt for a more relaxed fit like a slim or modern style. Perhaps even a coatless option, vests or suspenders are a great alternative to a coatless look. If suits are your go to, step into an ultra slim fit tuxedo or suit. Go all out with a 3 piece suit and complete your look with an extra accent, like a tie clip!

Consider who you are. Grooms with outgoing personalities may consider wearing something bold on their wedding day. Consider wearing the wedding accent color as your main suit color. For example, your wedding colors are navy with burgundy accents. Switch it up and wear a burgundy suit with a navy tie or wear a burgundy suit and style the groomsmen in navy suits. Personalities more reversed may consider wearing the same tuxedo as the groomsmen. A great way for the groom to subtly stand out amongst the groomsmen, would be to wear a different pocket square or vest color.

Add a small detail to display your personality. Show off your personality in your outfit by wearing your favorite color in your tie, a unique pocket square fold, or my personal favorite, slip on a fun sock. Think of your favorite baseball team, favorite beverage, or personalize with fun nicknames or inside jokes! This makes for a great groom or groomsmen gift too!”

Bridal Boutique

Sheila of Delana Muse

@delanamuse

“I’m a huge advocate for feeling like yourself on your wedding day.

As someone who has been in the position of being a bride I understand that it may be difficult to leave out the wishes of family or friends who only mean well. But with the many components that your special day may bring, there are certain areas I believe a bride should not compromise and one of those areas is in selecting her dress. Your wedding dress should be an extension of your soul. I often tell my brides, think of your favorite garments and how they make you feel, coupled with how you want to feel on your wedding day. If you love to show your curves, hug them. If you love the way your legs look in heels, get the dress that meets you there. Sometimes it means customizing your dress but whatever you do, walk down that aisle as your elevated self. You’ll be glad you did when browsing through your photos”.

Virginia Hair Stylist

Kathleen of Boho Bridal Babe

@boho.bridal.babe

“When it comes to infusing your personality into your bridal hair this all starts with the bridal hair preview. I schedule previews one to two months before your wedding day. I ask all of my brides to bring their veils, hair accessories, extensions, and recommend that they wear a little bit of makeup and pick an outfit similar to the color of their dress, that has a similar neckline to get an idea of the overall look. We discuss wedding details, dress style, and what their wanting to achieve with their hairstyle. I love to create signature looks for each bride based on these conversations I have with them during their previews”.

Washington D.C. Wedding Photographer

 

Carly Rose Photography

@carlyrosephotography

“One of the best ways to incorporate your personality into your wedding day from a photography standpoint is to make sure your photographer understands your VISION for your wedding day. I love to ask my couples: “What is the #1 thing you are MOST looking forward to on your wedding day?” Is it the moment you see each other as you’re walking down the aisle? Is it the party you’ll have afterwards? Is it seeing all of your family and friends together to celebrate with you? By knowing what is most important to my couples, I can tailor their wedding experience and make sure their wedding gallery reflects who they are as a couple.

Your photographer is there to capture all of the special details you have brought together for your wedding day.

Some examples of personalized wedding details include:

• The pocket watch that belonged to your grandfather

• A floral bouquet that incorporates your favorite flower(s) or flowers that are in season when you will be married

• Custom wedding invitations that incorporate where you live, where you are getting married, your favorite colors, a crest, etc.

•  Custom cocktails & napkins

•  Handwritten vows

Lastly, make sure you hire a photographer who’s style you love! Can you see YOURSELF in their images? Will they be able to tell your unique love story in photographs that you will want to frame and hang on the walls of your home? Make sure they understand what is important to you, and won’t overlook any of the personal touches you have incorporated into your wedding day.”

A HUGE thank you to each of the amazing businesses that shared their wisdom and advice!

Are you planning a wedding and still looking for the perfect vendors to make your wedding day complete? Find out more about each of the talented wedding pros in this post by clicking on their names above!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Carly is a wedding photographer based out of Northern Virginia. She is most known for her bubbly personality and love of Starbucks iced coffee. If she is not photographing weddings, she can be found spending time with her family.

 

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