Creating a Wedding That Feels Like You: Personalized Ideas and Inspiration
When couples begin planning their wedding, they often ask the same question: How do we make it feel like ours? With trends constantly evolving and inspiration flooding social media, it’s easy to lose sight of what actually matters — your love story, your values, and the experience you want to create with the people who mean the most.
As a wedding planner, I believe “unique” doesn’t always mean reinventing the wheel. It means infusing meaning into the moments and details you choose. Every love story is different, and your celebration should reflect your voice, not what’s trending on Pinterest.
Recently, I had the honor of planning a wedding that perfectly embodied what it means to create a meaningful, personal, and deeply unique celebration. Their story offers beautiful inspiration and guidance for couples hoping to do the same.
Photography By: Max Tepper Photography
Start With Your Story
When this couple approached me, their vision was clear: they wanted to host a warm and intimate dinner inspired by Puerto Rican flavors in the mountains where they fell in love. The Santa Monica Mountains were not just a backdrop; they were a symbol of their story.
As ultra-runners, much of their relationship had unfolded on trails, surrounded by nature and rugged terrain. Malibu Solstice Vineyards was the perfect venue for their celebration—its rustic elegance and sweeping mountain views seamlessly complemented their love of the outdoors and the intimate, nature-inspired theme.
Choosing a venue steeped in memories allowed their wedding day to feel like a continuation of a journey rather than a separate event. Selecting a location with emotional significance is one of the most impactful ways to create a wedding that feels distinctly yours. This couple even took it one step further and started their new chapter together by choosing a new last name, Corremonte. Loosely translated the name means “mountain runner” in Spanish, which is a nod to their love of the trails that brought them together. I love that they decided to do this!
Trust Your Team and Your Timeline
Because we planned this celebration in just six months, trust played a major role. The couple shared their priorities and then allowed me to bring those ideas to life seamlessly. Relying on a planner who understands your aesthetic, logistics, and communication style can remove unnecessary stress and help you stay connected to what the day is about: celebrating with the people you love. When you are not overwhelmed by countless decisions, you feel more present, grounded, and intentional.
Designing With Intention Instead of Trends
Rather than leaning into the pressure of heavily styled trends, we focused on a design approach that complemented the natural surroundings. Warm, earthy hues and dark wood tones were layered with soft candlelight and simple market lighting.
The bride added her own personal touch by creating her bouquet and floral bud vases, infusing the day with intimate, handcrafted details, while Primrose and Petals provided the arch and larger floral elements, ensuring a cohesive and elevated overall look.
The mountains and coastal views offered a stunning canvas, so the design was curated to enhance, not overshadow, the environment. Many couples feel pushed to incorporate every trending detail they encounter online, but true uniqueness often lies in restraint. Thoughtful simplicity can be just as memorable.
Reimagining Your Wedding Day Timeline
One of the most distinct elements of this wedding was the timeline. Instead of the traditional order of events, the couple chose to host cocktail hour before the ceremony and joined their guests for the festivities. This gave them a rare opportunity to greet loved ones right when the event began, soak in the atmosphere, and enjoy the excitement together.
When the ceremony began close to sunset time, the moment felt personal, emotional, and beautifully intentional. Adjusting your wedding timeline to align with your personality is one of the easiest ways to make your celebration feel authentically yours.
Personal Details That Tell Your Story
Personal details were woven throughout the entire experience. Drinks were named after their beloved dogs, Roca and Luna — The Loca Roca (Coqui Cooler) and Luna-tequila Rosa (Guava Sparkler) — offering a playful and sentimental touch that sparked conversation and laughter.
The dinner featured a custom Puerto Rican menu by Critic’s Choice Catering that honored heritage and flavor, adding comfort and nostalgia to the table. Served family-style, every dish was meant to be shared, encouraging guests to pass plates, connect, and enjoy the kind of togetherness that reflected the heart of B & H’s day — warm, welcoming, and rooted in family.
APPETIZERS: Crispy Bacalaitos “Fried Cod Fritters” with Cilantro Aioli, Halloumi Cheese Skewers with Guava Glaze, and a Puerto Rican & Mediterranean Mezzo Display
SALAD: Eggplant and Chickpea Salad served with Warm Pita
FAMILY STYLE ENTREES: Chef Eddy’s Shrimp Mofongo and Stuffed Acorn Squash
SIDE DISHES: Roasted Fall Vegetables and Spiced Rice Pilaf
DESSERT: Eddy’s Famous Churros with Horchata Creme, Spiced Chocolate Ganache and Cinnamon Sugar
The tables themselves were named after mountains, creating another subtle nod to the terrain that shaped their relationship. Even their rings were inspired by the mountains, a wearable reminder of the landscape that holds special meaning for them. These touches were not overwhelming or overly thematic; they simply told their story in a quiet, meaningful way. When personalization is rooted in genuine memory, guests feel it.
Crafting a Memorable Guest Experience
The ceremony overlooked scenic mountain views that stretched across the horizon, creating a sense of intimacy and wonder. Guests dined by candlelight beneath strands of warm market lighting, with the ocean visible in the distance. The atmosphere was cozy and relaxed, encouraging guests to slow down and savor.
Ambience is often overlooked, yet it is the element people remember most vividly. Lighting, environment, and tone can transform even the simplest spaces into unforgettable experiences.
Avoiding Common Personalization Mistakes
Of course, in the pursuit of uniqueness, couples can occasionally run into challenges. One common mistake is attempting to incorporate too many ideas at once. A wedding filled with countless themes and/or maybe too many details all at once can often feel visually chaotic rather than meaningful.
Another wedding challenge I see more often than not is when couples try to please everyone (an impossible task!), which can dilute the couple’s true vision. A wedding becomes unique when it is shaped by your preferences, not the expectations of others. The strongest design choices prioritize emotional resonance over trend value.
How a Wedding Planner Elevates an Intimate Wedding
A wedding planner brings clarity and expertise to the process, especially when designing a smaller celebration with big impact. We know where to spend and where to save, helping you invest in the details that will leave a lasting impression — like personalized guest experiences, intentional decor, and smooth event flow.
With fewer moving parts, we’re able to focus even more on refining the details, ensuring every choice aligns with your vision. From managing vendors to enhancing guest comfort and ambiance, a planner ensures your day feels effortless, thoughtful, and beautifully executed.
Defining What a Truly Unique Wedding Means
At its core, a truly unique wedding reflects the couple’s story, values, culture, and energy. It is not about standing out for the sake of attention. It is about comfort, connection, and authenticity. When couples focus on decisions that feel aligned, their celebration becomes timeless instead of trendy.
No two love stories are the same, and no two weddings should be either. Allow your narrative, your memories, and your shared experiences to guide you. When you remain rooted in what feels right, you create a celebration that cannot be replicated — because it was built from moments that belong only to you.
