Hello, hello, hello! What a wonderful way to start the year with our first blog of 2021! I hope by now you are settled into your new year. If there’s anything we know about last year, it’s that things are looking different these days! From safety protocols to social/physical distancing, our lives have changed – and so have our weddings! Today, we’re talking about wedding traditions and how you can respectfully break away from some that don’t serve you best.
Weddings are slowly changing on their own, and you do not always have to play by the tried and true rules anymore! As we’ve discussed before in a blog post, there are some general etiquette tips and tricks that you may want to consider when planning your wedding. That being said, if you’re a long-time reader you know that playing by the rules is not always my go-to, and changing things up can be fun, interesting, and unique to you as a couple!
Now let’s get to it!
Your Wedding Party:
In the past, wedding parties were made up of male groomsmen for the groom and female bridesmaids for the bride. This has since changed as we have a variety of males and females on either side – and it does not even have to be an even number on each side! As a bride, if you have three best girlfriends but you want your brother by your side, there are no set-in-stone rules on how you must celebrate with your friends. And, there’s no reason as a groom, you can’t have your sister or a girl who is a dear friend, on your side!! Additionally, if you don’t have that many close friends or just simply want a best man/woman and a maid/man of honor (also referred to “honor attendants”) – this is also certainly something you can consider. (photo by A Natural Portrayal)
The Dress:
I think by now we know the traditional ivory/white wedding dresses may not always be the choice of today’s brides! While you can certainly honor this tried and true tradition, having a fun color (this bride had a beautifully custom-made dress that was gray!) or a styled ensemble to walk down the aisle in is also appropriate. As a more adventurous bride, consider a white pantsuit or mix it up with a beautiful dress to match the wedding colors. Still want the classic dresses but looking for something to make it different? Add can always add a pop of color through your shoes! Or consider a wardrobe change after the first dance to really show off your personality. Have fun with it!
The Timeline:
If you prefer brunch, have brunch! Simple swaps to the timeline of the event can be a lifesaver (and stress saver) depending on your preferences. If you and your partner want some alone time after the initial I do’s, consider hosting an elongated cocktail party or provide entertainment and appetizers for your guests while you sneak in a snuggle. There are no rules as to how this has to go, and, with your wedding planner/coordinator, you can create a timeline that suits your needs and desires for your party. Just make sure (and this is super important) that all of your wedding professionals have given the thumbs up so they’re all in the loop. This way you can have your cake, and eat it, too!
The Reception:
Along the lines of the timeline, you do not have to be set on a reception mirrored out of the movies. If you prefer dancing first to get your party moving, then by all means – take to the dance floor! If you’d rather do speeches, toasts, and formalities to get them out of the way for the fun, make your event work for you. One of my weddings (pictured) had everyone on the dance floor after the first dance and they all continued dancing for a while with the salad course following. Then more dancing followed by dinner service, more dancing following by cake and desserts, and more dancing!! Once again, my only disclaimer here is to clue your vendors in — that way your magic can happen seamlessly. If you need help with this, please call me! We’ll get the fun started! (Photo by Lauren Nievod Photography)
The Goodbye:
Many couples are now opting to leave their reception before their guests. Traditionally, the happy couple would leave to a fanfare of waves, shouts, whistles, and confetti…and they still do! Just remember your wedding is YOUR wedding. If you’re tired from a year+ of planning and really just want to skip to the happily ever after, bowing out after an evening of greeting guests and wedding cake is completely acceptable while your guests enjoy the rest of the evening. Your wedding planner and DJ can help facilitate this very easily, with your guests still enjoying the celebration of your love, even after you may have left the building!
From the dress to the dancing, traditions are slowly becoming…untraditional. To plan and design the wedding of YOUR dreams, be in touch today! I’d love to help make your wedding uniquely yours.
Featured image by Pete Redel Photography
