I think it’s time to shake up our traditional ideas about what a wedding should include. Don’t get me wrong, there’s a time and place for the traditional. I can get behind a formalwear moment, the father/daughter dance, and even the bouquet toss. But the big white dress and march down the church aisle aren’t for everyone, and that’s okay, too.

I’ll let you in on a little secret: your wedding can be whatever the heck you want it to be. Hate fancy outfits? Make it a costume party. Vows? Make it a freestyle rap. Big reception? Make it a crawfish boil.

Below, I’ve made a list of some of my favorite ways to shirk tradition on your big day. Overall, have fun and do you.

POETRY IN MOTION
Love is in the air, and what better way to capture it than with your very own poet-for-hire? New Orleans’ own Cubs the Poet has been known to make an appearance at wedding receptions in town. For the right price, he’ll set up his typewriter and capture the essence of your day in words the way only a poet can.

TAP INTO THE BREW
You know what’s better than an open bar? An open beer truck! Tap Truck NOLA offers vintage cars outfitted with beer taps to take your afterparty up a notch. With all your favorite seasonal, local brews on hand, this is a beer snob’s dream come true.

PEER INTO THE FUTURE
What does the future have in store for you? Invite your guests to peer into the future with a tarot card reading. New Orleans boasts many talented folks who tap into the spiritual realm, so ask your witchy friends who they recommend. A visit to Hex may help.

HAVE A TACO PARTY
After all that beer, give your guests what they really want – tacos! Buffets are expected, and formal sit-down dinners with dry plates of chicken is so 2000-and-late. Have your favorite taco spot cater your wedding. In New Orleans, nothing beats Barracuda.

BLOW IT UP
Florals are a wedding favorite, and there’s no denying the beauty and impact of a gorgeous floral arrangement on your big day. But, hear me out, think bigger. Think balloons! Companies like Badass Balloon Co. are reinventing what’s possible with balloons, turning them into works of art.