Breaking Wedding Traditions: Red Nails, Green Shoes & Why Your Wedding Should Feel Like You

Planning a wedding that feels authentically you instead of following every tradition in the book? You're not alone, and you're definitely not wrong. On this week's episode of The Pre Nup, I sat down with Kelsey Kotzur—the TikTok and Instagram creator behind some of the most stunning wedding content of 2024—to talk about how she threw tradition out the window and created a wedding that was completely, unapologetically her.

From wearing red nails and green Gucci mules on her wedding day to having her dad walk down the aisle first so he could actually watch her walk toward her groom, Kelsey's approach to wedding planning was refreshingly honest: do what makes you feel like yourself, even if (especially if) it's different from what everyone else is doing. Her summer 2024 Vermont wedding went viral not because it followed all the rules, but because it broke them beautifully.

If you're feeling overwhelmed by wedding "shoulds" and wondering how to make your day feel more personal, this conversation was pure gold. Here's everything we covered about creating a wedding that's uniquely yours.

The Power of Staying True to Your Daily Style

One of the most impactful pieces of advice Kelsey received during her wedding planning came from an unexpected source—a bridal salon consultant who told her: "Whatever you do in your daily life, incorporate that in your wedding. When you look back and your makeup is 10 times more than what you wear and your hair is completely different, you're not going to feel like yourself."

This philosophy guided every style decision Kelsey made. She wore her signature red nails because that's what she wears every single day. She chose green Gucci mules because green is her favorite color and the shoes felt authentically her. She kept her makeup elevated but recognizable, and she maintained her iconic bob haircut instead of dramatically changing her look.

The result? Wedding photos where she looks like the most beautiful version of herself, not like a different person entirely. This approach works because your wedding photos will be around forever—and you want to look back and see you on one of the best days of your life.

Pro tip: If you're not sure what "your style" is, look at the photos on your phone from the past six months. What are you wearing when you feel most confident and beautiful? That's your starting point for wedding day style decisions.

Reimagining Traditional Wedding Moments

Kelsey didn't just break traditions—she reimagined them to create more meaningful moments. One of my favorite examples was her decision to have her dad walk down the aisle first, stop, and turn around to watch her make her entrance.

"Dads don't get to watch their daughters walk down the aisle," she explained. "They're right there arm in arm." By giving her dad this moment to actually see her walking toward her future, she created something more special than the traditional processional.

She also chose to do private vows the morning of the wedding over coffee, just the two of them. This allowed them to have an intimate, emotional moment without the pressure of public speaking or the risk of becoming too emotional during the ceremony.

Other non-traditional choices that worked beautifully:

• Spending the night before and morning of the wedding together (they'd been together 10 years—the surprise element wasn't necessary)


• Doing a courthouse ceremony first, then a big celebration later


• Skipping the immediate honeymoon in favor of a delayed trip six months later

The key is identifying what traditions serve you and your relationship, and which ones you can modify or skip entirely.

The Art of Mismatched Bridesmaids (That Actually Look Cohesive)

Kelsey's mismatched bridesmaids approach went viral because it looked effortlessly cohesive despite featuring different colors, styles, and silhouettes. Here's how she pulled it off:

Start with your bridesmaids' preferences: She asked each bridesmaid what color they felt most beautiful in and what styles flattered their body type. This ensured everyone felt confident and looked their best.

Create visual connections: Sisters wore complementary shades (like different pinks) or styles with similar details. This created small groupings within the larger bridal party.

Stick to one designer/retailer: All dresses came from Anthropologie, which ensured a consistent quality and aesthetic even across different styles.

Think about the setting: Every dress had to fit a "garden party" aesthetic that would work with their Vermont venue and could be reworn to similar events.

The result was a bridal party that looked intentionally curated rather than randomly assembled. Each bridesmaid felt beautiful and confident, which showed in every photo.

Strategic Vendor Investments That Made the Difference

While Kelsey planned most of her wedding herself, she made two strategic investments that she credits with making her day perfect: a day-of coordinator and a content creator.

The Day-of Coordinator: "I don't know how she pulled it together," Kelsey said about her coordinator. "I gave her all the information and she just streamlined it perfectly." Even if you're DIY-ing most of your planning, having someone else handle logistics on the day itself is crucial for actually enjoying your wedding.

The Content Creator: This is becoming more popular, but Kelsey's friend Caroline documented the entire day from a guest's perspective, capturing moments the professional photographers might miss. "She recorded all of my speeches, got videos of my grandma meeting his grandma for the first time—things I would have never even asked for."

The content creator also freed Kelsey from her usual instinct to document everything herself. "I didn't have my phone on me. I am a content creator by trade, so I'm always thinking about where I can film, where's the light. Because she was in control, I got to completely turn off and be present."

Making Popular Venues Feel Personal

In our advice segment, we tackled a question many brides face: how to make a popular wedding venue feel unique without spending a fortune. Kelsey's advice was spot-on:

Change the layout: If you've seen ten weddings there with round tables, ask for some rectangular tables mixed in.

Add unexpected color: Popular venues often see a lot of neutral palettes. A pop of unexpected color in linens, flowers, or even a dance floor wrap can completely change the feel.

Focus on lighting: Colored uplighting or different lighting arrangements can transform a familiar space.

Personalize the details: Custom signage, unique favors, or family photos can make any space feel more personal.

The key is identifying what makes the venue feel "samey" to you, then intentionally doing something different in that area.

Key Takeaways

• Wear what makes you feel like yourself: Don't dramatically change your style just because it's your wedding day—elevate what you already love
• Question every tradition: Ask yourself if each tradition serves you and your relationship, not just whether it's "what you're supposed to do"
• Invest in a day-of coordinator: Even if you plan everything yourself, you need someone else handling logistics on the actual day
• Consider hiring a content creator: Having someone document the casual, in-between moments creates content you can enjoy immediately
• Put your bridesmaids first: Ask what they feel beautiful in rather than imposing your vision—confident bridesmaids make better photos
• Keep your plans to yourself: Too many opinions create unnecessary stress and can pull you away from what you actually want
• Make popular venues personal: Small changes in layout, color, or lighting can completely transform a familiar space

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I wear white nail polish for my wedding?

You should wear whatever nail color makes you feel most like yourself. If you wear red nails every day, wear red nails on your wedding day. The goal is to look like the most beautiful version of yourself, not to completely change your style. Your wedding photos should show you on your best day.

How do I make mismatched bridesmaids look cohesive?

Start by asking each bridesmaid what color and style they feel most confident in. Choose all dresses from the same designer or retailer for consistency. Create visual connections between dresses through complementary colors or similar details. Make sure all dresses fit your wedding's overall aesthetic and venue.

Is it okay to break wedding traditions?

Absolutely. The most important thing is that your wedding feels authentic to you and your relationship. Question each tradition and ask whether it serves you—if not, feel free to modify it or skip it entirely. Your wedding should reflect your values and personalities, not just follow a prescribed format.

When should I hire a day-of wedding coordinator?

Every wedding needs a day-of coordinator, regardless of who plans it. Even if you're DIY-ing everything else, you need someone else handling logistics, managing vendors, and keeping the timeline on track so you can actually enjoy your day. Most coordinators offer packages starting 6-8 weeks before the wedding.

Should I hire a wedding content creator in addition to a photographer?

If budget allows, a content creator captures different moments than your professional photographer and provides content you can enjoy immediately. They document the casual, in-between moments and can handle social media content creation. This is especially valuable if you're used to documenting your own life but want to be fully present on your wedding day.

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This post is based on an episode of The Pre Nup: A Wedding Planning Podcast. Follow us @the_pre_nup on Instagram and TikTok, and listen wherever you get your podcasts.