I have followed Brett Birdsong Photography and his amazing photography for a long time now. When I first started blogging I remember featuring a wedding of Brett's and he then had a couple contact him to book an engagement session and their wedding after seeing his work {you can see the engagement session here}. I LOVE stories like that. Now, onto today's feature . . . Brett has written an open letter to his brides that I just had to share with you - it's about having your wedding, your way.

Dearest you,

Just in case you need a little push in the direction of doing your own thing for your wedding, allow me to remind you that traditions can be started by anyone. They can also be completely avoided by anyone. And a lot of them, in regards to weddings, have absolutely ridiculous and outdated origins that if you Googled for a few minutes, you’d wonder why they’re still around at all.

This bride and groom chose to have their wedding their way when they walked each other down the aisle ... Your Wedding, Your Way | Photo by Brett Birdsong Photography

All that’s technically required is that you’re legally married at the end of the day. What you do with all the time in between is completely and totally up to you.

Some of the happiest brides I’ve ever worked with have thrown tradition to the wind, ignored everyone that said the sky would fall if they dared to be different, and done their own thing. Don’t ever be afraid of that. If you want to have an all day party with a 15 minute ceremony in the middle of it, do that. If you want to hang out with each other before the wedding, do that. If you want to throw a bouquet of gift cards so everyone can participate instead of tossing flowers to the single folk, do that.

This bride and groom got wet after they married ... Your Wedding, Your Way | photo by Brett Birdsong Photography

Your own imagination makes Pinterest look like the recycled garage sale of second hand ideas that it is. It’s your love story. Not anyone else’s.

Be yourselves. Go crazy. It really is your party.

I’m Brett Birdsong and I approve this message.

Do you have plans to have your wedding, your way? If yes, please share. I'd love to hear how you will be making your own wedding traditions.

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We all know the old English wedding tradition: "Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue...a silver sixpence in her shoe!" What some may not know is that this catchy wedding rhyme is used by couples on their wedding day to represent important parts of their past and their future together. Therefore, many brides will try and incorporate all or part of this tradition within their wedding day. Below, The Wedding Outlet has listed the meaning behind each part of the phrase along with some helpful tips and ideas on ways to include this tradition within your own wedding day.

Something Old: Continuity
This represents the link with the bride's family and the past. You can choose to wear a piece of your mother's or grandmothers wedding gown or perhaps a piece of their antique jewelry.

Something New: Optimism and hope
This represents good fortune and much success in the bride's new life. Often the wedding gown is chosen as the new item. If you're wearing your mother's gown, your shoes could be the new item! Or give yourself a good excuse to buy yourself a nice piece of jewelry.

Something Borrowed: Happiness shared from happily married couples
A reminder to the bride that her family and friends will be there for her when help is needed. Choose something that belongs to a loved one. You can borrow your sister's veil or her earrings. Consider borrowing your grandmother's lace handkerchief.

Something Blue: Fidelity, love and purity
This represents faithfulness and loyalty. Most brides choose a blue garter. Think off beat and paint your toenails blue. Glam up with sapphire earrings or wrap yourself with a blue pashmina or shawl. Get creative and have fun with your something blue.

A Silver Sixpence in her Shoe: Life of fortune
Make sure you put that sixpence in your shoe for good luck.

Check out the planning pages at The Wedding Outlet for more helpful articles and wedding inspiration.