Today's weddings are uniquely diverse and are characterized by a distinct departure from the traditional themes of the past. Modern elements and some light whimsy are only the tip of the iceberg in contemporary nuptial celebrations.

'Weddings seem to have individual brands now, from the invitation to the food,' says Ilene Guy, co-founder of E and I Design, one of the design firms that creates exclusive wedding invitations and stationery for Invitations by Wedding Paper Divas. 'Design is everywhere now and easier to incorporate.'

These days, weddings are more about the bride and groom's personal tastes and preferences than about tradition. That's not to say historic customs such as tossing the bouquet will cease to be part of the event. These traditional values will continue, but will be incorporated in a more entertaining, whimsical manner.

That said, theme weddings are growing in popularity expanding upon those traditional elements. For example, time period themes, including the Renaissance Period, the Victorian Era and the Roaring 20s add a touch of creativity and history to the event.

Ethnic themes, such as Greek, Japanese and Jewish, bring an element of culture to the big day. Character themes are also popular, including Looney Tunes, Disney and others. Cinderella and other fairy tale themes bring us back to a hint of romance and class.

In producing a wedding under an umbrella theme, it's best to relax the rules and take advantage of the light-hearted elements that are possible. Be creative with everything from the style of dress to the food.

'It's easier now to have the fairy tale wedding you've always envisioned, and you don't have to spend an arm and a leg,' says Erin Sarpa, another co-founder of E and I Designs. 'People are more creative and have more resources today,' she says.

Whatever theme you choose, Sarpa and Guy recommend that you always begin with the bridal shower or wedding invitations. 'You no longer have to be a graphic designer to get a beautiful, custom invitation,' says Guy, who sees her invitations come to life every day thanks to online retailer, Invitations by Wedding Paper Divas. 'There are many online avenues where you can choose colors, typefaces, photos and illustrations that ensure the invitation fits your personality.'

The bottom line is that personality and creativity is what today's weddings are all about.