The wedding industry is a multi-billion-dollar racket that seems designed for the sole purpose of separating you and your partner from tons of your hard-earned money. That just isn’t cool, man.
Nine Tips for the Perfect Hipster Wedding
Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to throw a perfect and memorable wedding without compromising your unique style. Why shell out tens of thousands of dollars for a cookie-cutter wedding that feels like it was made on an assembly line when you can instead have a party that genuinely reflects your union?
Today, we’re covering all the tips you’ll need for a perfect hipster wedding from the moment you guys are engaged through the ceremony.
Sending Out Your Invitations
Once you’re engaged and enter into wedding planning mode, the first job you’ll need to tackle is your wedding invitations. The invitations are a perfect opportunity to show your personality and get people excited about your special day.
Fortunately, every card-carrying hipster knows a graphic designer or five, so you should have no trouble tapping a friend or acquaintance for the design. If you and your spouse are creative, you can even design the invitations yourself.
Consider taking a minimal approach that reflects your hip style. If you’re sending physical invitations, consider sepia-toned stationery with a classic font style. Or, have a custom stamp designed with all the relevant info for your wedding day, and stamp each invitation yourself for a more personal feel.
Of course, there’s nothing that says you need to send out invitations at all. Hipster couples everywhere are saving trees and postage, eschewing physical invitations for digital ones.
Record a short video with your spouse, letting everyone know how excited you are to share your wedding day with them and email them out to your guest list.
Dressing the Bride
When it comes to a hipster wedding, all bets are off when it comes to the conventions of a wedding dress. The key here is to let your personal style shine through, without worrying about whether you’re “wedding appropriate” or not. After all, it’s your wedding and your dress!
For the hipster bride, don’t pigeonhole yourself on style, color, or details. Instead, find a minimalistic dress that allows your style and beauty to shine through.
To nail the hipster aesthetic, search for a dress that offers unique details that you don’t usually see in a wedding dress, like a keyhole back, linen details, ruffles, or a short silhouette. Don’t feel forced to wear white, either. Part of being a beautiful hipster bride means resisting the norm, so if you’d rather wear a red dress on your wedding day, go ahead!
You’ll find tons of excellent options in secondhand and vintage stores, so feel free to get creative in your search for the perfect hipster wedding dress.
Accessories for the Bride
Once you’ve selected a dress, you’ll need some accessories that allow your unique style to shine through. Forget the old traditions and go with jewelry and accessories that make you feel beautiful and stylish.
When it comes to accessories, you can keep it minimal, or go big and dramatic. Experiment with pops of color, different veil styles, and jewelry.
Also, consider adding a personal touch that’s important to you, like a charm modeled after your pet, or vintage jewelry handed down from your grandmother.
The Bride’s Beauty Routine
For a hip bride, getting ready on the big day should be a cinch compared to a more conventional bride who will need an intricate updo and a face full of makeup.
If you’re looking to nail the hipster wedding aesthetic, remember that less is more. Wear your hair in a way that makes you feel comfortable and opt for makeup that highlights your natural beauty without being too dramatic or overdone.
Many hipster brides will wear their hair in loose curls or instead go for a simple updo, like a loose braid or bun. Add some flowers to your hair, or a full-on flower crown in place of a veil to nail the natural and unfussy look that every hipster bride aspires to.
A nude lip will help drive home the minimalist aesthetic, but you can always go bold and add a bright pop of color with your lipstick if you prefer.
Dressing the Groom
Notice how we said suit and not tux? You can leave the black tie at home if you’re looking to channel the hipster aesthetic at your wedding. Of course, a tux is still appropriate, provided it’s fun and less formal than a traditional tuxedo.
Most hipster husbands-to-be opt-out of a tux altogether in favor of a classic suit in shades of blue, grey, or brown. Add an extra pop of hipster style by ditching your belt in favor of suspenders and a bowtie in place of a long tie.
Accessories like a pocket square and suspenders are a great way to tie your outfit into what the bride is wearing, so consider accessories that give the nod to what she’s wearing.
When it comes to footwear, all bets are off. You can strike a hip and casual look by pairing your look with your favorite sneakers instead of dress shoes. Or, if you prefer dress shoes, feel free to get creative with colors and fabrics to play up your unique style.
Or, if you prefer a more classic look, you can’t go wrong with monk straps or wingtips.
Dressing Your Squad
The bridesmaids and groomsmen can breathe a collective sigh of relief because a hipster wedding means they’ll be able to avoid the annoying (and expensive) conventions associated with a traditional wedding.
For the bridesmaids, avoid matching dresses. Chances are, your friends are stylish hipsters in their own right, so let their style shine through. Pick a color theme for the girls, and let them choose a dress that they like, provided it fits with the theme.
By adopting a mix-and-match approach with the bridesmaids, every girl will have an opportunity to wear a dress she loves and feels comfortable in, instead of one that might not be comfortable or flattering.
For the guys, stick with a style that’s reminiscent of the groom, but with some key differences that differentiate the groom from the rest of the party.
If the groom is wearing a bowtie, consider putting the groomsmen in long ties that match the bowtie. Or, give the groomsmen pocket squares which are different from the groom’s, but still compliment his style.
Choosing the Perfect Wedding Venue
When it comes to a venue, all bets are off. Of course, the one rule is you’ll want to avoid all of the mainstream wedding venues in your area.
The first thing you’ll need to decide is whether or not your wedding will have a ceremony. Many hip couples prefer a simple wedding at a courthouse, followed by a party with their loved ones. Of course, you can just as easily incorporate a ceremony into your reception.
For the venue itself, consider less traditional options, like an old farm, a lake, or even your favorite restaurant. Once you have a rough idea of how many people will be invited, you’ll be able to narrow your venue search to spaces that are appropriate for the number of guests you’re having.
When it comes to decorating the venue, this is a perfect opportunity to inject your style into the fold. Plus, going DIY with your decorations is an easy way to save money. Pinterest is the ideal resource for inspiration for centerpieces, table cards, and everything else.
The Moment We’ve All Been Waiting For: Food and Drinks
Let’s face it, when all is said and done, all that your guests will remember is how well you fed them. Of course, that doesn’t mean you need to fall for the mainstream wedding tropes that so many couples are guilty of. Instead, this is another opportunity for your personality to shine.
Nothing says you need to have a traditional sit-down or buffet-style dinner. Instead, why not have a food truck party? Food trucks are a hipster staple, and they’re perfect for weddings. Even if you do go for a traditional menu, consider having your favorite food truck swing through for a midnight snack.
For dessert, there’s no need for a typical wedding cake, either. One of the most popular hipster wedding trends is to go for a naked cake that offers a chic rustic feel compared with a cake covered in snow-white fondant.
Of course, you could forgo the cake altogether, too. Did somebody say donut wall?
Drinks are yet another way to let your personality shine through. Instead of typical glassware, serve your guests their drinks in mason jars, the official drinkware of hipsters everywhere.
Instead of Bud and Coors, bring in a curated selection of the bride and groom’s favorite microbrews from breweries in the area. You can also create fun and delicious craft cocktails inspired by the bride and groom.
Curating the Night’s Playlist
Selecting the music for the occasion is yet another way to let your hipster style shine through.
Instead of hiring a DJ or wedding band, think outside the box — Curate a playlist for the occasion with your spouse that highlights all your favorite songs. Or, give a call to that great duo that plays Thursday nights at your favorite bar.
Of course, you have to ensure that the music you choose provides an excellent soundtrack for your guests to enjoy. Throw as many Modest Mouse and Neutral Milk Hotel songs on as you like, but make sure there’s also classic tunes that all your guests (including the less hip ones) will recognize.
Conclusion
Planning the perfect hipster wedding may seem like a daunting task, but with these tips, you should be well on your way to creating a beautiful day to celebrate your union.
When it comes to a hipster wedding, nothing is off-limits. From the venue to your outfits to the food and drinks you serve, treat your wedding as an opportunity to share your unique and quirky personality with all your loved ones. If you think it’s cool, that’s all that matters!