Let’s be real for a second. If you’re here, you’re probably not the type to dream of a beige, cookie-cutter wedding with ivory chair covers and pastel roses. You want your wedding to be as bold, bright and unapologetic as your love story. I’m SO here for it.

Your wedding should scream you, not Pinterest trends from 2015. So, whether you're a couple covered in tattoos, obsessed with live music, or just love a good pop of colour, here's how to throw a wedding that's bursting with personality (and zero beige).

Start with a Colour Explosion

For too long it seems that weddings have to stick to muted or pastel palettes. In contrast, let’s talk jewel tones, neon brights, high contrast and clashing colours. If you want your venue dripping in electric blue, hot pink, and sunshine yellow, do it and I’ll back you up all the way. Florals, signage, table settings, your outfits - just let colour lead the way.

If you know you want this but can’t decide on which shades to go for, we can work on the palette together. I often show the same design in various tones so you can decide between them, and I can even print colours onto paper samples so you can get a feel for what it’ll really be like when I make it all.

Don’t feel pressured to "match" everything. Clashing colours can look incredible when done with confidence, and are a personal favourite of mine. They give a great party feel to the day and show that the celebration is going to be full of fun.

Wedding stationery including vinyl record-style table numbers and chequerboard bingo cards.

Pink, yellow and blue stationery with holographic foil butterflies.

A bride and three bridesmaids grin at the camera. The bridesmaids are wearing coral, lime and blue and all four hold bright wedding bouquets. — by Jackson Grant

Bold Stationery to Set the Tone

Your invites are the first hint of the party to come, so make them count. Yes, yes - I know I’m biased, but more often than not, the branding we create together for your stationery informs the rest of the styling and aesthetic choices for the rest of your day. This isn’t what I set out to do when I started designing stationery but it’s a pattern I’m very happy has formed!

Ditch the delicate calligraphy and opt for bold typography, quirky illustrations, tassels and holographic finishes. Bonus points if they double as keepsakes your guests actually want to stick on their fridge.

Flaming heart wedding stationery in black, yellow, red and baby blue.

Wedding table names in blue, green, orange and pink with a retro disco wave on the edges.

Wedding Outfits that Break from Tradition

White isn't mandatory (unless you love it, in which case, rock it). Some suggestions are sequins, colourful suits, glittery dresses, embroidered jackets or outfits that showcase your tattoos and personality.

I really changed my body shape when I was engaged because I thought I was supposed to look a certain way on my wedding day. It is a huge regret of mine. I don’t have photos around my house of our wedding because seeing myself look like a stranger makes me sad, and mentally it made me pretty fragile at the time. My biggest piece of advice to anyone getting married is make sure you rock up just as you are. You should not make changes to your body (be it weight, shape, how white your teeth are or covering up tattoos or scars). You are loved and it’s your time to celebrate that.

Queer couples, gender-nonconforming folk, or anyone sick of the "bride and groom" box: mix it up. Wear what makes you feel powerful, hot and authentically, joyfully you. You can read more on my top tips for planning a queer wedding here.

Two marriers stand hand-in-hand against a pink wall. One wears a pearlescent sequin dress and the other a hot pink suit. — by Kirsty Mackenzie

A white man with long blonde hair wears a peach shirt and a green suit which is embroidered with pink flowers. — Suits from LOM

A plus size bride in hot pink fixes her hot pink veil, which is covered in ribbon bows. — by Juliana Cole

Let Your Venue Reflect Your Vibe

Industrial warehouse? Neon-lit bar? Rooftop with city views? Choose a space that feels like the kind of place you'd actually hang out. Look for venues with colourful murals, exposed brick or space to host a killer live band.

The venue is the backdrop to everything else, so in terms of styling, keep that in mind. If you don’t like the look of the walls and floor, maybe keep looking for your dream venue. They’ll feature in all your photos and it’ll bother you later on! If you have a specific vision in mind, let’s say with disco balls, streamers, backdrops and neon lights, go for a dry hire place that all of this can be set up in, and make sure to ask their policies on hanging things from the walls and ceiling. You can also ask streamer suppliers where their recommended venues are!

Additionally, the staff at your venue will be a big part of your day, so ask questions about how the day will run to make sure it’s a safe, accessible and happy space for you and your guests.

A pink and red theatrical venue with a huge sky-filled heart in the centre. — The Altar Electric

A couple kiss in front of dancers wearing sequins and disco ball heads. — Four Five Studios by Rachel Burt

Music-Obsessed? Turn Your Day into a Gig

If your idea of heaven is front row at a sweaty gig, why not bring that energy to your wedding? Hire a band or DJ that plays your favourite genres - punk, rock, indie and ska would all be so fun. Set up a stage area, crank the amps and let the dance floor turn into a mosh pit.

Two men and a woman in black and pink bomber jackets hold instruments in front of a graffiti wall. — Brass Monkeys

Flowers that Pop

Florals don't have to be dainty. You can have oversized bouquets, dried flowers mixed with bright fresh blooms or florals in unexpected shades. Dried or faux florals can be kept forever and can be even brighter than real, so that’s something to keep in mind.

Vibrant dried flowers in rainbow shades. — by Bubble and Berry

Flowers in bright orange and pink in small arrangements. — by Studio Kacy

Go Wild with Décor

Neon signs, disco balls, murals, mismatched chairs, record sleeves of your fave bands, banners, eclectic tableware, confetti canons - the sky really is the limit. Your guests won’t remember how uniform your napkins were, but they will remember a venue that feels like stepping into your world. I’m all for maximalism, and the design of your stationery can really pull things together.

Two marriers kiss, surrounded by disco balls and peach and orange confetti — by Rebel Love Club

A citrine ywllow cart with bottle of alcohol and colourful paper pom poms. — from Bespoke Bride

Silver disco balls are surrounded by pink, purple and gold streamers — by Streamadelica

Cake, but Make it Extra

Traditional white tiered cake? Cute, but not for everyone. How about a cake covered in bold colours, hand-painted designs, or completely unconventional shapes? Or ditch cake altogether and opt for donuts, churros or your favourite treats.

A colourful wedding cake with moulded chocolate in geometric shapes. — by ARD Bakery

A dessert table willed with colourful treats,m including rainbow meringues and puddings. — by Passion Food

A heart shaped cake in acidic colours with cherries on top — by Bad Cherry Bakery

Most Importantly: Stay True to You

Your wedding is a celebration of your love and you can make it bold, brilliant and unapologetic. Whether that's through colour, music or breaking every wedding "rule" out there, lean into it. You’re not beige and your wedding day doesn’t have to be, either.

If you need help getting started with an aesthetic, you can read this post on choosing a style for your wedding, check out my customisable designs or just get in touch to chat ideas.

Can’t wait!

Carly ✌️

Get in touch with me here!

Top image is taken by Carmel McCabe