Non-Traditional Wedding Day in NJ? Here’s How to Maximize Your Time Together!

Believe it or not, at the end of your wedding day, you might feel like you barely spent time with your brand-new spouse! Wedding traditions often keep couples apart until the ceremony, followed by a whirlwind of family, friends, and events. But guess what? You don’t have to follow the “rules” if they don’t serve you!

If your wedding priorities are centered on being present, enjoying the day, and soaking in every moment with your partner, here are some unique, non-traditional ways to make that happen!

As your New Jersey wedding photographer, I don’t just take pictures—I help you build a timeline that makes your wedding day stress-free, fun, and uniquely YOU. Let’s dive in!

---

1. Get Ready Together – The most Non-Traditional wedding day idea

This is the most Non-Traditional Wedding Day idea on the list, but holy smokes, is it romantic!

Imagine waking up next to your fiancé in a cozy cabin, a luxury hotel suite, or your own home. You sip coffee together, snuggle up, and talk about how incredible today will be. Instead of rushing off in separate directions, you take the morning slow and intentional, spending those precious pre-wedding hours together.

Want to add a touch of tradition? You can still separate for hair and makeup before meeting up again for a private, intimate moment where you help each other get dressed.

Envision your fiancé zipping up your dress, clasping your necklace, or adjusting your tie. Whispering sweet words to each other before the big day truly begins. #swoon

Considering an adventure elopement? Let’s take this a step further! Picture getting ready together, then hiking up a scenic NJ overlook to say “I do” with breathtaking views. I’ll bring my hiking boots and camera—you bring your love story!

---

2. Do a Non-Traditional wedding day First Look 👀✨

If getting ready together isn’t your thing, consider a First Look!

This trend is becoming more of the norm, and for good reason—it gives you more time together on your wedding day while also easing those pre-ceremony nerves.

📸 Why I Love First Looks as a Photographer:

• You spend more of your wedding day together (instead of waiting until the ceremony).
• You get an intimate, emotional moment before all eyes are on you.
• We can knock out bride & groom portraits + wedding party photos before the ceremony, so after you say “I do,” you’re free to party, mingle, and celebrate!

💡 Pro Timeline Tip: Plan your First Look 3 hours before the ceremony. We’ll spend an hour capturing your reactions, some dreamy portraits, and even private vows or gift exchanges.

---

3. Write Letters to Each Other 💌

No matter how you start your morning, writing letters to each other is a must-do.

Whether you choose to read them privately, during your First Look, or in a First Touch (holding hands without seeing each other), this moment is filled with pure, raw emotion—right up there with your walk down the aisle and first kiss.

Pro tip: I’ll capture these moments discreetly and authentically, so you can relive them forever.

---

4. Walk Down the Aisle Together 🤍

Tradition says one person waits at the altar while the other walks down the aisle… but what if you did it differently?

Walking into your ceremony together symbolizes entering marriage as equals, side by side. If this speaks to you, let’s make it happen! And please, invite me to photograph it—I’m obsessed with this idea!

---

5. Dance Together—A LOT! 🕺💃

This might sound obvious, but if you don’t spend your reception together, you won’t have photos together!

Weddings can get busy—guests pulling you in different directions, endless small talk, and poof! suddenly, the night’s over. To make sure you’re actually enjoying the celebration with your spouse, be intentional about:
✔️ Hitting the dance floor together!
✔️ Mingling as a couple, not separately.
✔️ Skipping the table-to-table rounds (send a heartfelt thank-you note instead!).

And don’t worry—I’ll gently remind you during our timeline planning and meetings. But once the party starts, it’s up to you!

---

Let’s Create a Wedding Timeline That’s All About YOU!

Many of these ideas are outside-the-box, which means you might not have seen a ton of photos of them—yet. But that’s exactly why you should hire a photographer who gets it.

If you want a New Jersey wedding photographer who will:
✅ Help you build a wedding day timeline that fits YOUR priorities
✅ Encourage you to break traditions that don’t serve you
✅ Capture your day in a natural, storytelling way
✅ Let you focus on what truly matters—your spouse, your family, your friends

Then let’s chat! I’d love to help you craft a wedding day that feels like you from start to finish.

📩 Get in touch to plan your Non-Traditional Wedding Day together!

xx, Ashley

P.S. Check out more planning tips HERE!

Follow along on INSTAGRAM