When your grandma is threatening not attend the wedding unless the traditional cultural soup is served and your future mother-in-law has wrangled the guest lists out of your hands, don't despair! Here are five ways you can personalize your wedding ceremony and reception despite any age-old customs your families expect you to honor: 

1. Personalize Your Wedding Vows

Most religious groups allow you to customize your vows by adapting the traditional version or completely writing your own.

If you are not allowed to alter the vows, exchange private love letters -- delivered by the best man and maid of honor, of course -- just before the ceremony begins. 

The marriage ceremony is also the perfect time to share your unique love story with all your guests. Ask your closest friends and family members to email silly anecdotes and fond memories about your journey as a couple to the wedding officiant, who can weave the colorful collection into a beautiful story for your day. 

2. Pick a Meaningful Unity Ceremony

There might be less flexibility here if you are expected to jump a broom or break a plate, but couples who have the freedom to choose their unity ceremony have plenty of options. From releasing wish lanterns into the night sky to tying a handfasting knot to planting a marriage tree, the unity ceremony is meant to symbolize the commitment you are making to blend your separate lives into one.

3. Create a Keepsake Guest Book

The traditional guest book that holds a record of signatures and then is tucked away for eternity is a fairly outdated ritual that few elders care about upholding.

 This is one area where modern couples have become creative, coming up with a variety of chic keepsakes that memorialize their wedding day.

Pinterest and Etsy are filled with adorable ideas, ranging from wish rocks inscribed with blessings from each guest, family trees with thumbprint signatures and inscribed wine bottles that are to be opened on a future anniversary. Guests can sign just about anything, so pick something that is meaningful to you as a couple. This might be a guitar, a monogram of your initials, jigsaw puzzle pieces or a baseball bat. 

4. A Personality Inspired Wedding Cake

Even if someone else is paying for it, the flavors of the wedding cake should be entirely your choice. Pay tribute to your heritage by choosing a traditional cake from your culture, or offer up a slice of your personality by sharing your favorite flavors with your favorite people. Add fresh flowers that match your bridal bouquet, and embellish the center of the cake with a wedding cake topper that represents your lifestyle or a shared hobby. 

5. Select Your Love Song

The lyrics that accompany your first dance as husband and wife will play in your head for the rest of your marriage, so make sure you select a song that resonates in your heart. Look for inspiration from your favorite bands and movie soundtracks, borrow your parents 'or grandparents' song, or select a meaningful cultural tune that you grew up listening to. Depending on how comfortable you are busting out the moves, you can either shuffle your feet for a few bars before inviting everyone out on the dance floor or you can choreograph an entire routine, whether it's a traditional waltz or an outrageous hip hop number.