10 Personal Touches We Added to Our Wedding Day

When we look back on our wedding, the things that stand out most are not the big production pieces. It is the personal details that made the day feel like ours. The moments that carried family history, inside stories, and little pieces of who we are. If you are planning your wedding and wondering where to focus your energy, I truly believe personal touches go further than over the top extras. These are the details our guests may not have noticed, but is something that we treasure and meant a lot for us to have, even if no one else knew they were there or the significance behind it.

Here are a few of the meaningful touches we added to our wedding day.

Our Lectern With a Story

One of my favourite full circle moments was our lectern. A few years ago, I had the honour of officiating our friends’ wedding, and we used this same lectern for their ceremony. When it came time to plan our own wedding, we brought it back and used it again. It was my grandfathers and he appreciated it being used for many happy reasons after his use of it in his house and in his law career. It served as our ceremony lectern and later as the stand for speeches. Most guests would never know the backstory unless we shared it, but for us it carried a lot of meaning. It was a quiet reminder of the role weddings have played in our lives beyond just our own day.

DIY Bridesmaid Bags

I really wanted our bridesmaid gifts to feel thoughtful and personal, so I put together DIY bridesmaid bags for my girls. Each bag included a few curated items that I knew they would actually use and nothing was branded as our wedding so that it could be used after the fact. Making them myself allowed me to tailor each one and stay within budget without sacrificing quality. And gave me a chance to try my hand at the Cricut one more time. The reaction from my bridesmaids made the extra effort completely worth it. This is a great place to add personality without needing a huge time investment.

Cake Knife and Server From My Parents’ Wedding

For our cake cutting, we used the knife and server set from my parents’ wedding. This is one of those small details that carries so much emotional weight. It was special to know the same set had been part of their wedding day years ago. It also photographed beautifully during the cake cutting. If you are considering incorporating family heirlooms, ask early. You may be surprised what meaningful pieces your family has saved.

Rings From Both of My Grandmothers

In addition to our own wedding bands, I included rings from both of my grandmothers in our detail photos and on my other hand. Having those pieces present felt like carrying their love and legacy into our day. This is a simple touch that adds so much depth to your flat lay photos, but also felt like I had support from both sides of the family with me throughout the day. It does not require extra setup time, but it makes your day (and hand) feel much more personal. I also added a piece of pottery that I made that has my grandparents (who have passed) signature on it to have them be a part of my day with me.

One Big Group Photo With All Guests

This was one of the best decisions we made. We coordinated with our photographer to capture one large group photo with all of our guests shortly after dances after dinner. It takes a bit of planning and a clear announcement to guests, but the result is wonderful. There is something really special about having everyone you love in one frame. Years from now, I know this will be one of the photos we look back on the most.

Corsages and Boutonnieres for Parents and Grandparents

We made a point to include corsages and boutonnieres for our parents and my grandparents. It was a small gesture, but it visibly honoured the people who have supported us the most. Keeping the florals cohesive with the rest of the wedding design helped everything feel intentional. More importantly, it made our family members feel recognized and included in a meaningful way.

First Look With My Grandparents

One of the most emotional parts of the day was doing a first look with my grandparents. We often think about first looks with partners or wedding parties, but this moment with them was incredibly special. Their reaction was something I will never forget. It also created photos that feel very different from the rest of the day. If you have close grandparents or family members, I cannot recommend this enough. It is a moment you will never regret making time for.

I wanted a first look with my father as well, but unfortunately due to some mis-planning of our time, and the lack of communication I could not find him for one on camera, and we ended up having it rather informally. It was captured by my uncle thankfully. Communicate these needs with both your photographer and wedding planning team, and the people that need to be involved.

Film Cameras in the Getting Ready Rooms

We placed our film cameras in each getting ready room, and this added such a fun and nostalgic layer to the day. The photos that came back were candid, imperfect, and full of personality.

We also had disposable cameras at the welcome party and wedding, and some guests and wedding party members loved being able to snap their own photos. My only tip is to label the cameras clearly and give a quick instruction so people know they are meant to be used. We ended up with half the images being quite dark since no one looked at the ‘flash’ button, but it added to the charm.

Heirloom Pearls in My Bouquet

I tucked my grandmother’s wedding pearls into my bouquet, and this ended up being one of my favourite personal details. It was subtle but deeply meaningful. The pearls were lovely, but made my dress look too traditional when I tried them on, so I wanted to incorporate them in a different way.

If you plan to do something similar, work with your florist or carefully secure the piece yourself so it stays in place throughout the day. It is a beautiful way to carry family with you without needing anything overly visible.

Make sure that everyone knows the significance of them including your photographer and wedding planner. For whatever reason, the pearls ended up stuck in a vase of water by the planning team and in the front of the venue. Thankfully they were alright and no one walked off with them, but make sure that you trust someone to keep an eye on them or move them to a safe place if they aren’t to be on your person the entire day.

Our Dog as Ring Bearer

Having our dog as our ring bearer was a non negotiable for us. It added personality to the ceremony and honestly brought a lot of joy to our guests. If you are considering including your pet, planning is key. Make sure you have a designated handler and a clear plan for timing and transitions. With the right support, it can be one of the most memorable parts of the ceremony. We arranged a dog sitter for after photos, and we had our family take turns watching him in the morning. My biggest regret is that I didn’t get more photos with him in my wedding dress, but I hope when I take photos of the next steps in my life, he can be there too.

At the end of the day, the personal touches were what made our wedding feel grounded and true to us. They were not necessarily the most expensive or the most elaborate details, but they carried the most meaning. If you are deciding where to spend your time and energy, start with the pieces that reflect your story and your people. Even a few thoughtful, intentional details can completely change how your wedding feels for you.

Love, M