Wedding traditions are one of those “tale as old as time” honors that many use within their wedding plans. As a wedding planner, I have had the privilege of witnessing countless wedding traditions from all around the world! While every culture and region have their own unique customs and practices, there are certain traditions that are universally loved and celebrated by couples and guests alike. Here are a few wedding traditions that never fail to bring joy and happiness to the big day.
Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue
This traditional rhyme has been passed down through generations and is still popular today. It is believed that wearing these four items on your wedding day will bring good luck and prosperity to your marriage. The “something old” represents continuity with the bride’s past, the “something new” symbolizes the couple’s future together, the “something borrowed” represents borrowed happiness from a happily married couple, and the “something blue” is for true love.
The First Dance
The first dance is a beautiful and romantic tradition that has been around for centuries. I truly love watching my couples enjoy their first of so many dances together. The moment when the newlyweds take to the dance floor for the first time as husband and wife, surrounded by their loved ones, is so special. Whether it’s a slow and intimate ballad or an upbeat and choreographed song, the first dance is a special moment that creates memories that will last a lifetime.
Tossing the Bouquet and Garter
While tossing the garter isn’t as popular as it once was, tossing the bouquet is a fun and lighthearted tradition that has been around for decades. It is believed that the person who catches the bouquet will be the next to get married. This tradition always brings a lot of laughter and excitement to the wedding reception, as single guests await their chance to catch the coveted items. This tradition can bring a room full of people to their feet pretty easily, so make sure your DJ is ready with a fabulous song to keep everyone on their feet!
Cutting the Cake
Cutting the cake is a classic wedding tradition that symbolizes the couple’s first joint task as husband and wife. The bride and groom cut the cake together, and then feed each other a small piece. This tradition is often accompanied by cheers and applause from the guests and is a great photo opportunity. Plus, who doesn’t love guessing if the happy couple will be kind or will get a nose full of frosting?! For those couples who aren’t fans of cake, I’ve had couples use pies and cheesecake, and I have a couple this year where the bride will feed her groom some cake, and he will give her a rose (she’s not a fan of any type of sweets)!
The Send-off
The send-off is a tradition that marks the end of the wedding reception and the beginning of the newlywed’s life together. Guests line up with sparklers or bubbles or glowsticks, and as the couple makes their exit, they are showered with good wishes and congratulations. This tradition is a beautiful and festive way to end the wedding celebration and truly encapsulates exactly what a wedding day should be – filled with love and celebration.
While these traditions are beloved by couples and guests alike, it is important to remember that every wedding is unique, and there are no rules when it comes to planning your special day. As a wedding planner, my job is to help couples create a wedding that is truly their own and to incorporate traditions and customs that are meaningful to them.
Whether you choose to follow traditional wedding customs or create your own unique traditions, the most important thing is that you celebrate your love and commitment to each other. Your wedding day is a once-in-a-lifetime event, and it should reflect your personalities and values as a couple.
If you need help setting up the perfect traditions for you and your future spouse, I’m only a phone call away! I’d love to talk details and make your day uniquely yours.
Lexi
“Something Blue” image by Living Radiant Photography
First Dance image by Frozen in Time Photography
Cake image by A+M Photography
Send-off image by Eric Stocklin Photography
