Let’s be real — WordPress default menus are like those one-size-fits-all T-shirts. They technically fit, but do they vibe with your brand? Nah.
So one day, I looked at my WordPress theme and thought,

“This menu is nice… if I were designing a website in 2007 for my dog’s fan club.” 🐶✨

So I rolled up my sleeves, flexed my keyboard fingers, and said,
“It’s time… to make a custom navigation menu. Like a boss.” 💪

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🧙‍♂️ Step 1: Register the Menu Like a Wizard

phpCopyEditfunction my_custom_menu_setup() {
    register_nav_menu('main-menu', 'Main Menu');
}
add_action('after_setup_theme', 'my_custom_menu_setup');

Congrats, you’ve just told WordPress:

“Hey, I’m fancy now. I want my own menu spot, thank you very much.” ☕

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🎨 Step 2: Summon It in Your Theme (Like Magic)

Open up your header.php and drop this line like it’s hot:

phpCopyEdit<?php wp_nav_menu(array('theme_location' => 'main-menu')); ?>

Boom. Your menu just appeared like it heard someone say “free pizza.” 🍕

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👗 Step 3: Add Some CSS — Because Naked Menus Are a Crime

Now, give that menu a glow-up. Flexbox it, hover it, maybe even animate it like it’s dancing at a CSS disco.

cssCopyEditnav ul {
  display: flex;
  gap: 20px;
  list-style: none;
}
nav li:hover {
  color: #ff5c5c;
  transform: scale(1.1);
}

Look at that. Your menu now walks into a bar and everyone stares. 🕺💃

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🧠 Bonus Round: Custom Walker Class (aka Brain Surgery for Menus)

If you’re feeling dangerous, create a custom Walker_Nav_Menu class to add custom HTML, SVGs, emojis, or live squirrels to your menu.
(Not recommended. For the squirrels. Definitely go wild on the SVGs though.)

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😎 Final Thoughts

Default menus are fine…
…if your site is a potato. 🥔
But you? You’re building a rocket. 🚀
With your custom WordPress nav, you’re not just making links —
You’re crafting an experience. A journey. A love letter written in HTML.

Now go forth and ship that slick, snappy, custom nav menu. And if it breaks the first time?

Just tell people you’re “exploring minimalist UX.” 😉