Take the Plunge

Dive into marriage: Skydiving Center in Ocean City, MD, launches brides and grooms over their ceremony site to create the ultimate grand entrance (skydiveoc.com).

Walk the Line

Customize your aisle runner with crystals that match the beading on your wedding dress—or even a poem that you and your groom love.

Wedding at Sea

Marry aboard Mystic, CT's, 160-year-old whaling ship: Its vintage figureheads and sea chantey musicians help create the illusion of a wedding at sea (860-572-5305).

United Way

Ask both sets of parents to light a unity candle during the ceremony to signify the merging of the familes. Or, they can pour wine into a single glass, or pour colored sand into a vase.

Underground Affair

For a truly unique site, exchange vows at the Bridal Cave beneath Thunder Mountain in the Missouri Ozarks. This romantic underground wedding chapel is adorned with stalactites and unique onyx formations (bridalcave.com).

Under Cover

If it rains, give your groomsmen large golf umbrellas so that they can shelter your guests as they dash from their cars to the ceremony or reception site.

Tying the Knot

Not a fan of traditional vows? Have a handfasting ceremony in which couples are asked a series of questions, such as "Will you share each other's dreams?" At the end, a ribbon is placed over their clasped hands, symbolically binding them.

Trekkie Affair

Die-hard Trekkies can marry aboard the USS Enterprise at the Las Vegas Hilton, where vulcan ears and phaser guns are de rigueur, but Klingon witnesses are optional (hilton.com or startrekexp.com).

Toss Up

Instead of a traditional send-off of rose petals or birdseed, have your guests toss feathered confetti or environmentally friendly Designer Wedding Rice (weddingpetals.com).

Themed Fete

Pull all of your wedding activities together with an overarching theme. Build it around a local landmark, your heritage, a particular hobby, or your love story.

Sweet Touch

In Greece, brides wear their lucky charm―they sprinkle sugar in their gloves in hopes of adding sweetness to their new marriage.

Sweet Soak

In China, brides soak up their lucky charm―they take a bath in grapefruit-infused water the morning of their wedding to wash away evil.

Support System

Make your guests part of your ceremony by inviting them to share special thoughts of you and your fiancé or to show their support of your union with applause. Nothing will touch you and your groom's hearts more than watching (and hearing) your loved ones express their best wishes.

Bug Off

Keep pesky critters at bay during outdoor affairs by incorporating citronella candles into your decor. Or spray the ground with chili powder and water an hour before your event.

Wonderful Affair

Start a Wonderful Life together Jimmy Stewart–style by marrying at Rouki's, a restaurant filled with movie memorabilia in the actor's hometown of Indiana, PA (roukis.com).