Take it or leave it: traditions

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Traditions can be found around every corner at a wedding – under hems, in piles of flower petals and even under placemats. Whether you always pictured a little something blue, stomping on the glass or a garter toss, traditions probably snuck their way into your wedding dreams early on. In this day and age, traditions can be meaningful, important, fun or an annoying hassle. A wedding is about the couple, so incorporate the traditions that you like and ditch the ones that don’t feel valuable to you. Here are some ideas on how to blaze your own nuptial path.

Seats not sides

Back in the day, ceremony seating was separated, one fiancé’s family on the left and the other’s family and friends on the right. Today, many brides and grooms find that things aren’t so black and white, and they don’t have to be. You are joining your two families together, so why not let everybody sit together? Cute signs with quaint rhymes encouraging guests to sit where they want are popular features at many weddings these days.

Check please

It used to be traditional for the parents of the bride to foot the bill, but that is not always the case anymore. If either side’s parents are willing to help with costs, that’s great, but don’t expect anyone to foot the whole bill. Some parents are willing to pick up one aspect of the day as a wedding present, like the catering or the dress. Talk to your parents about whether they want to help out where they can, but be respectful if their answer is no.

Big white wedding dress?

We are in an age of self-expression, and if you feel like a queen in a cupcake dress, that’s fantastic, but there are other options if a dress doesn’t feel like you. Tailored suits and tuxedos are fabulous on anybody, and jumpsuits have made a huge comeback in recent years. Wear what makes you comfortable.

If a white dress or a black tux doesn’t feel like you, don’t be afraid to go with a bright color, a black dress or even a patterned wedding dress or suit. When the big day comes, you deserve to feel fabulous, so wear what gives you that special, confidant, butterfly feeling. It’s your day, and if you want to rock a white dress, green two-piece set, paisley miniskirt, pink tux, stripey jumpsuit or black romper, that’s completely up to you.

Public first looks

and vows

Traditionally, the first look was when the bride walked down the aisle, but these days, a lot of couples would rather have a private first look with just the couple and the photographer. Some couples take this a step further, exchanging personal vows privately during the first look and opting for traditional vows at the actual ceremony. A wedding is deeply personal and there is nothing wrong with saving some of the most intimate moments for just the two of you.