Want to inject a bit of whimsy into your wedding? A touch of playfulness?

Why not? Your nuptials are a celebration of you and your spouse-to-be, not only of the journey you’re beginning together but also of who you both are. If you tend to approach life with a sense of fun and merriment, that should be reflected in your wedding.

So, as you plan your ceremony and reception, weave in elements that will add to your joy, from carefree color combos to humous touches to entertainment that caters to your inner children.

We have some ideas to help inspire your creative ideas, but first, we’d like to share a bit of advice for planning a whimsical wedding that delights you, your partner, and your guests.

As you plan:

Make sure both you and your partner have input. The goal is to develop ideas that reflect, and respect, the personalities of both people getting married. While your partner may love your less-than-traditional vision for colors and lighting effects, they may be less enthusiastic about choreographing a humorous dance routine for the reception or working one-liners into your wedding vows. Try to stick with things that you both like and give each other permission to reject ideas that makes the other person uncomfortable.

Give guests a feel for what they can expect on your wedding day. If you’re planning a carefree wedding with elements of fun, you can send save-the-dates or create wedding a website that has the same feel. You can go with fun images, creative invitation materials, or even send a message in a bottle.

One word of warning: Plays on words and elements of humor are great, but make sure the main points you need to convey—“you’re getting married at this day, time, and location, and RSVPs are due by this date”—are crystal clear. You don’t want anyone wondering if your invitation is some kind of joke or to cause confusion.

Consider your guests. While your wedding should reflect your carefree personality, the twinkle in your eye so to speak, try to ask yourself—and trusted friends and family—if anything you’re planning could make the loved ones sharing your day uncomfortable or even cause pain. For example, if you’re planning to add humor to your personalized wedding vows, you wouldn’t want to score laughs at someone else’s expense, no matter how funny the joke would have been.

Your 10 Ideas

1. Brighten the mood. You can set your wedding apart with creative combinations of colors that you love: a pallet of pastels, eye-popping combos of pink and orange, or different shades of one color. You can incorporate your color scheme into floral arrangements, centerpieces, food and drink presentations, linens—even your bridal parties’ outfits.

2. Create a personal comfort zone. Wear your dream wedding gown—and your favorite comfy shoes. In an article for MoneyWise about couples that are embracing their quirky side, Sarah Cunnane noted that more and more brides are turning their backs on tradition, at least when it comes to high heels on their wedding day.

“Whether it’s for comfort or for personal style reasons, eccentric brides (and grooms) are rebelling against tradition by wearing running shoes, tennis shoes or skateboard shoes to their wedding,” Cunnane wrote, adding that some brides are taking their bold shoe choices one step further by wearing a bold color that complements their color scheme.

You can, of course, break with wardrobe traditions beyond shoes. Just aim for something that gives you joy, and if you’re going for comfort or personal statements, be sure to welcome your guests to do the same.

 3. Plan to smile when you see your aisle. Since you’ll be making your public debut as a bride on the aisle, you might as well create a setting that is undeniably you. Bridal Guide suggests lining your aisle with balloons and instructing guests to release them as you pass them.

4. Set the stage for playtime. Couples have been known to dance in a T-rex costume, dress as their favorite book characters or superheroes during their reception (or for part of it), and have toys like Legos or Etch-A-Sketches on hand. If those ideas excite you, go for it. You can even rent a bounce house or carnival games for your reception.

5. Your centerpieces can be child’s play, too. Try arrangements of lollipops, balloons, silly straws, or toys with or without flowers.

6. Let your creativity shine. You also can use lighting effects to shine the spotlight on your unique sense of style. Bridal Guide suggests suspending candles from tall floral arrangements on your reception tables. You also can illuminate the walls or columns of your venue or create a colorful dance floor.

7. Encourage a sense of wonder. Hire magicians, fire eaters, or jugglers to entertain. A quick online search should point you to agencies that specialize in unique acts for weddings.

8. Consider a food station with fun favorites. Think about what would make your day and talk with your caterer about it. A few possibilities include stations with candy, doughnuts, pancakes, or comfort foods.

9. Don’t limit your cocktails to the traditional. One possibility during your cocktail hour is to offer boozy popsicles or offer alcohol-infused snow cones.

You also can come up with a fun name for your signature cocktail. Work with your bartender to develop something creative like “Bloody Marry Me,” “Mai Guy,” or “Kindred Spirits.” The possibilities are endless.

10. You always have the option of subtle touches. If your partner’s enthusiasm for big ideas—or your budget—is a bit limited, you’ll find small details go a long way. You can, for example, opt for creative guest favors, fun signage, or humorous escort cards.

You also can take creative approaches to wedding traditions. Have adults serve as flower people or ring bearers—or, allow a beloved pet to walk down the aisle (if your venue has no objections).

However you showcase them if elements of fun and humor are part of the equation that makes you and your spouse-to-be who you are, then the event that launches your lives together should reflect them. Hopefully, you’ll have as much fun planning those aspects of your wedding as you do implementing them and sharing them with your guests.