Marriage, and, therefore, weddings, are steeped in tradition. But from the outside looking in, doesn’t that seem so boring. By the time you hit your 30’s, you’ve essentially been to the same party at least five times with the same music, outfits, and food. How many times can you eat that over boiled chicken and pretend you love it?

Besides, the world is becoming more individualistic. People are creating all their own communities online, whether it's to reflect sexuality, nationality, heritage, or another identifying factor like subculture. Sometimes the white dress and penguin suit just doesn’t reflect who you are.

If that sounds like you, read our picks for top ways you can go against the tide when it comes to your wedding.

Personality Over Tradition

The first step to making your wedding truly yours is to inject your personality wherever you want. There are levels to this. You can have a classically beautiful wedding with all the white and glowing lights you wish, with perhaps details like your bouquet or your centerpieces showing off your personality, or you can make sure you add a little bit of you to just about every element of the wedding.

Show up in a dress that is any color other than white, or wear white with your favorite biker boots. Think outside the box and add a pattern when it comes to your suit. Add as much color and odd shapes as you can to the flowers, like sunflowers and rhododendron. Serve pizza and burgers, universally loved food, and incorporate anything of your personality to the décor.

DIY

The thing about weddings is that the second you mention them, somehow there’s another zero added to the price of everything. The venue, the car, the dress, etc.

If that is driving you crazy, you might want to think about a DIY wedding. The simple philosophy is, that if you can do it yourself, then do. And you’d be surprised at the areas you could save on.

This is where having a range of talented friends comes in handy. Do you know someone who likes to bake? There’s your wedding cake. Got someone with a decent camera and some skills? Photographer. Got any musicians in the guest list? Or at least someone that can control a laptop and some speakers?

In the meantime, wander around the charity shops for anything that can be used. Take a mix and match approach and you will soon have a lovely collection of centerpieces, dining sets, etc. to make your wedding individual. Take a look at these wedding champagne flutes that will make for a great feature in your speech photos. Right, let’s raise a glass to the happy couple!

Elope

Eloping doesn’t need to mean running away from the disapproving glare of some family members, although it is appealing if the idea of a room full of your family members gives you the fear. It’s quick, it’s easy, but that doesn’t mean it’s not special.

You can still have the dress, the bouquet, the hotel stays. Have an all-in-one wedding and honeymoon by heading to the city of your choosing and finding a courthouse to get married in.

Historically, Las Vegas is the states’ best place to get married. You don’t necessarily need to get Elvis to do it, but if you’re attracted to the glamour that comes with Vegas, it’s a good shout.

Overseas, the UK has Gretna. As mentioned in Pride and Prejudice, while the English had a strict ban on getting married while under 21 years old, couples who didn’t want to wait would travel to the nearest town in Scotland to get married: Gretna. Today, it’s still a popular place to get married, due to its quaint town feel and historical relevance.

Hire a photographer, don your dress and suit, have a nice meal, and simply have a wedding that is contained to the two of you.