Wedding Traditions You Can Skip : There are many wedding traditions worth keeping, from the first kiss, to the wedding rings, to sharing the first slice of cake with your new spouse. However, there are also many other traditions that don’t hold much semblance for modern-day couples. If you’d like to know which traditions you can safely skip on your special day, then check out the list below:
Wedding Traditions You Can Skip
1. Segregating the wedding party by gender
Bridesmaids are traditionally female and groomsmen are traditionally male. This may have worked fine in times when most people didn’t have close friendships with members of the opposite sex, but that is not the case today. If you have a close, opposite-sex friend or family member who you want to be part of your wedding party, then nothing should stop you from asking them.
2. Having the bride’s father walk her down the aisle
Many brides love having their dad escort them down the aisle to their groom, which today is simply a nice gesture. However, there is nothing wrong with choosing to be escorted by your mother, by both your parents, by your spouse, by a friend or family member, or even by no one else at all.
3. Wearing a white wedding dress
Since brides no longer need to assert their virginity on their wedding day, you can definitely choose to go with something other than a traditional white wedding dress if your heart desires. If you do still choose to go with white, you can add a bit of color with your accessories.
4. Wearing a wedding veil
Why put so much time into your hair and makeup if you’re going to cover your gorgeous look with a veil? Veils symbolize modesty, but wedding days are now about celebrating and lavishing attention on the couple, so ditch the veil and let everyone see you shine.
5. Holding the ceremony in a church
Holding the ceremony in a church is still a beautiful tradition for those who find meaning in such a celebration. However, if getting married in a church isn’t right for you, then there are many other fantastic venues to choose from. Many couples stick to this wedding tradition because of their parents. Just because your parents held their wedding ceremony in a church, doesn’t mean you should too.
6. Bridesmaids wearing matching dresses
Letting your bridesmaids pick their dresses (or their tuxes, if you’ve included men in your wedding party!) is a great way to let everyone show their personality. If you’re afraid of people clashing, then set some limits as to what colors and what fabric they can use.
7. Sticking to traditional vows
Some people prefer sticking to traditional vows, as it can be a lot less stressful to have a predetermined script to follow. However, you can also consider writing your own vows if you want to make your ceremony more personal. Let your creative juices flow. You don’t have to be a professional writer to create your own vows.
8. Tossing the garter
Not all that interested in flashing your leg while your spouse removes your garter and tosses it to a single male guest? Then there is really no need to include this tradition in your ceremony! Guests likely won’t even notice or care that it didn’t happen. Tossing the garter is an old wedding tradition that many people stop following these days.
9. Expensive engagement rings
Wedding expenses are stressful enough without spending a fortune on an engagement ring beforehand. This tradition is a fairly modern one to begin with, and already it is on the way out for many couples. Some are opting for birthstone rings instead, or are simply forgoing the entire practice of giving an engagement ring altogether.
10. Being apart the night before
Seeing each other at the ceremony for the first time after you have both gotten all dressed and done up is a lovely tradition worth keeping. The anticipation makes everything feel that much more exciting. But, if you don’t want to, there is really no need to spend the night before apart as well. Just say goodbye to each other in the morning and look forward to seeing each other later.
You may feel pressured by parents, grandparents, and even your friends to stick to certain traditions that you feel are outdated or that don’t have much meaning for you. But the most important thing is to celebrate your wedding day in a way that makes you happy, so keep the traditions that you like and feel free to ditch the rest.