From wedding rings to attire, many old-school wedding traditions have remained unchanged for centuries. Some, however, have undergone creative updates to fit modern-day couples and their evolving tastes and needs. Nowadays, soon-to-weds are shaking up seating arrangements in favor of unique set-ups. They’re forgoing the traditional black-tie attire and putting their own stamp on the dress code. They’re reimagining wedding-day culinary offerings, and extending their big day to the weekend — or even the week.

In other words, today, there’s no shortage of ways to customize your wedding and make sure that it truly highlights your individuality and your unique love story. At Walters Wedding Estates, we’ve hosted countless weddings at our venues throughout Texas and in Atlanta. Our Wedding Experts and Planners have seen it all and done it all. Here, they share some modern wedding traditions couples are adopting — and how to select the perfect venue to accommodate each idea.

1. Mixed Color Schemes

Today, more and more couples are getting creative with their palettes and mixing it up with punchy colors, mismatched designs, and offbeat patterns. For example, some are forgoing matchy-matchy bridesmaids’ dresses and allowing their friends and family to play around with different color combinations, hemlines, and styles. Others are choosing to show their personalities by decorating their event with mismatched ceremony or reception chairs, eclectic tablescapes, and bright floral arrangements. To create a purposefully out-of-the-box scheme, you need an expert team of planners, florists, and decorators to cohesively bring it all together — and most importantly, a venue that’s versatile enough to accommodate any aesthetic.

Your Perfect Match

Outdoor reception sites like Arrowhead Hill at The Lakota, for example, offer an idyllic blank (but stunningly lush) slate that complements a variety of different styles. The Texas-based wedding venue also houses a strikingly minimalist reception space — complete with white walls and natural wood beams — that pairs seamlessly with any design concept.

2. Non-Traditional Seating Styles

A traditional wedding ceremony layout typically features an aisle that runs down the middle and leads to an altar, flanked with rows of seats on either side. Although this tried-and-true format transcends time, many soon-to-weds are choosing to reshuffle the traditional wedding layout by arranging seats in new and inspired configurations. Who says you can’t bend the rules by planning a winding path for an aisle or arranging seats into a circular shape around the altar? You can even take it a step further by setting up side entrances and multiple aisles that allow you to walk down the aisle together.

Your Perfect Match

Wedding venues like The Olana in Hickory Creek, Texas, offer a variety of different spaces to bring your vision to life. Host your ceremony outside the European-style mansion, in the solarium, or in one of the estate’s many sweeping ballrooms — all of which can accommodate unique seating arrangements.

3. Cocktail-Style Receptions

Not a fan of the traditional sit-down dinner — or the idea of having to plan seating arrangements? Consider a cocktail-style wedding reception, complete with high-top tables that encourage mingling. Alternatively, create a more relaxed atmosphere with lounge-like seating areas that invite your guests to stretch their legs and take a breather. This is also a good opportunity to infuse your personal style by adding in unique pieces of furniture — think: statement sofas, colorful ottomans, plush loveseats and armchairs, and so much more.

Your Perfect Match

An outdoor wedding venue is particularly well-suited to lounging stations — bonus points if it comes with captivating views to take in while kicking back with a custom cocktail. Located near Austin and San Antonio, The Terrace at Highland Lakes features wide-open spaces for an alfresco ceremony and a covered terrace that boasts panoramic vistas of Lake Travis.

4. Extended Celebrations

Today, many couples are extending their big days into multi-day celebrations — transforming their events into unforgettable, activity-packed weekend getaways. From welcome parties and rehearsal dinners to post-wedding brunches and outdoor excursions, couples are weaving fun experiences into their itineraries to make the most of the time with their nearest and dearest. Looking to do the same? The key is to find a venue that also offers on-site accommodations for your guests. Not only does this offer them the convenience of staying in a central location that’s close to all of the festivities, it also makes it easier to coordinate recreational activities, group dinners, and any sightseeing tours on the agenda.

Your Perfect Match

Wildwood Inn — a luxury boutique hotel in Denton, Texas — offers a storybook wooded ceremony site, an intimate reception space, and thoughtfully appointed rooms. Its proximity to the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex makes it an ideal home base for exploring the best of Texas — from world-class art museums and live music to exceptional culinary offerings.

5. Pets of Honor

Instead of the traditional best man and maid of honor, many couples are recruiting their four-legged friends to serve as their right hand — no, paw. Although pets might not be able to help with all aspects of the wedding (other than emotional support), recruiting them to your wedding party is a fun way to include them in your big day. Let them accompany you down the aisle, pose in your family photos, and ease any day-of stress with cuddles and kisses. Deck them out in formal wear — think: bow ties, tuxedos, bandannas, tutus, flower crowns, and floral leashes. What’s more, you can also incorporate your furry friends into your wedding through custom cocktails named after your pup, cake toppers in their likeness, and personalized stationery (all of which are possible as part of Walters Wedding Estates’ all-inclusive services).

Your Perfect Match

Finding a wedding venue that allows dogs on-premises is the first step. Luckily, all Walters Wedding Estates venues are pet-friendly — and our Wedding Planners are always eager to find creative ways to incorporate your furry BFFs into your nuptials.