Here are some ideas from around the world.
Ask both sets of parents to light a unity candle during the ceremony to signify the merging of the familes. Or, they can pour wine into a single glass, or pour colored sand into a vase.
For "something blue", try a blue-beaded anklet, blue toenail polish, or a blue crystal hair pin.
Italian grooms tuck pieces of iron in their pockets to help ward off evil, while English brides carry horseshoes made of ribbon and lace.
Honor a departed family member by inserting a small paragraph about him or her with a photograph in your ceremony program. Or read a poem in their honor.
Write your own vows to make your ceremony like no other. Not only will the bride and groom be in tears but your whole party and guests will too.
Not a fan of traditional vows? Have a handfasting ceremony in which couples are asked a series of questions, such as "Will you share each other's dreams?" At the end, a ribbon is placed over their clasped hands, symbolically binding them.
If you or your groom has children, integrate them into your ceremony. At the end of the ceremony, hand a balloon to your groom and to each of your children. Tie them together and release them as one to symbolize your unity.
Incorporate a lucky Irish custom into your big day by ringing a small bell just after you recite your vows. Then keep the bell as a reminder of the promises you both made.
Write the names of your unmarried friends on slips of paper that you stitch to the hem of your wedding dress. This ritual, according to Brazilian legend, will bring each person luck in love.
Instead of a basket with petals, give your flower girl a ribbon stick (like the one you see in the Olympics) and turn her loose.
Plant your good luck: Bermuda couples plant trees to bring prosperity to their marriages, while Dutch pairs choose delicate lily of the valley to symbolize their everlasting love.
Do as Venezuelan couples do and sneak out of your reception for good luck. There, couples who leave without saying their goodbyes aren't rude—they're believed to be on the right path to a happy marriage.
Have a piece of your mother's wedding dress sewn into your gown in honor of the "something old" tradition.
In Greece, brides wear their lucky charm―they sprinkle sugar in their gloves in hopes of adding sweetness to their new marriage.
Resources - brides.com
