10 Things I Did at My Wedding that I Loved: Real Couple Jena & Manuel
Discover how Jena Cervantes personalized her wedding with unique touches and cherished traditions, creating an unforgettable and intimate celebration.
Real Wedding Stories
6 min read•October 2, 2025
When it came to planning our wedding, we knew one thing for sure: it had to be OUR wedding. We wanted it to reflect our unique personalities, sense of humor, and, of course, the love we share. We didn’t feel the need to conform to every traditional wedding norm. Instead, we embraced the traditions that felt right for us and created incredible moments that were deeply personal. Thanks to the incredible team at Wedgewood Weddings & Events, we pulled it all off seamlessly! Here's a list of the top 10 things we did at our wedding that I absolutely LOVED!
1. Attended the Venue's Open House Event
stunning black and gold tablescape at Lindsay Grove
I highly recommend attending the venue's Tasting Night! We attended the event at Lindsay Grove and found so much inspiration in everything from the layout of the venue's different spaces to décor and florals to ideas for DIY. We loved how they set up the tables in the grand hall—alternating between round tables and farm tables. It was unique and definitely not something we’d seen at other weddings. So, we decided to recreate that look for our reception, which turned out to be one of our favorite details!
2. Hosted Group DIY-Parties
Leading up to the big day, I hosted a few DIY parties and invited anyone who wanted to help. It was a great way to make the process fun and involve our loved ones. We created favors, bouquets, and centerpieces together, and it was a great way to let everyone feel involved in the wedding planning. It was also a lovely way for each bridesmaid to create a unique bouquet as a keepsake.
3. Pre-Ceremony First Look and Photos
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Groom and bride take an intimate moment for first-look photos
We decided to do our first look and formal photos before the ceremony. Not only did this give us the chance to take our time and not feel rushed, but it also allowed us to spend more time with our guests during the cocktail hour and reception. Plus, I was worried about crying my makeup off during the first look, so it worked out wonderfully!
4. Personalized Our Ceremony
Instead of hiring a professional officiant, we asked my sister to marry us. She’s incredibly special to both of us, and it made the ceremony even more meaningful. We worked together to write the script, incorporating the values and commitments that were most important to us. We asked her to bring her signature sense of humor to the ceremony, making it feel lighthearted and full of joy. We even wrote our own vows, and let me tell you, they had everyone laughing and crying in the best way possible!
5. Incorporated Customized Signs
Talk about a fun DIY project! We had signs scattered throughout the venue to guide our guests. From welcoming them to encouraging them to leave notes, take photos, and try our signature drinks, it was like narrating our special day for everyone. It was an easy way to keep the mood fun and show off our personalities!
A beautifully arranged welcome table featuring custom signs, a unique puzzle piece guest-book alternative, and DIY floral touches, setting the tone for the special day
6. Kept the Wedding Party Intimate
A joyful moment with the bride and her two sisters as bridesmaids
There’s always pressure to have a big wedding party with every cousin, friend, and distant relative. However, we opted for a different path—one that prioritized intimacy and connection over grandeur. Our wedding party consisted of my sisters, our adorable nieces, and energetic nephews. Their presence not only brought joy to our special day but also infused it with warmth and familiarity.
7. Open-Mic Toasts
At first, I was hesitant about having open-mic toasts, thinking it could get a little chaotic. But my partner convinced me to go for it. We worked with our DJ to make sure everything ran smoothly, and honestly, it was one of the best decisions we made! Some of the speeches were so heartfelt and surprising, like when our 12-year-old niece gave a toast that brought everyone to tears. It was definitely my favorite speech of the night!
8. T-Shirt Toss!
Instead of a traditional bouquet toss, the bride and groom threw custom t-shirts to their guests
We ditched the traditional bouquet and garter toss and came up with something we felt was way more fun: a t-shirt toss! We made custom wedding-themed t-shirts and threw them out to the crowd. It was a huge hit, and people were still talking about it after the wedding—some even asked if they could get their own shirts!
9. Used Faux Flower Bouquets and Centerpieces
Farmhouse-style sweetheart table with FAUX-FLORAL garland and centerpieces that add a fresh, romantic touch to the rustic dècor
When it came to flowers, we opted for faux ones. Not only did this save us a bit of money on the centerpieces, but it also gave us the chance to create beautiful, lasting keepsakes for our wedding party and honored guests. Besides, we received many compliments, and guests were surprised to learn that the flowers were not real. The faux flowers were ideal because everyone could take them home and cherish them for years to come!
10. Doing It Our Way
One of the best parts about our wedding was how much we made it our own. We're not a super traditional couple, and we didn't feel the need to check off every wedding "must-have." Instead, we focused on the things that were truly meaningful to us. We wanted a day that was as unique as our relationship, and that’s exactly what we got! The Wedgewood Weddings team was incredibly supportive and executed all our unique requests flawlessly. Our guests raved after the wedding that it was one of the best they had ever attended.
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Looking back, I wouldn’t change a thing about our wedding. It was uniquely us, and every detail made the day feel even more special. We are very grateful to the Wedgewood Weddings team for helping us execute our unique vision, and we likely couldn't have achieved some of these quirky ideas without them. If you're planning your wedding, don’t be afraid to ditch the traditions that don’t speak to you and embrace the ones that truly reflect your personality. Trust me, your guests will love the personal touches, and you’ll cherish those memories forever!
