You’ve heard the traditional wedding rules all of your life. They’re the engagement and wedding rules handed down by generations. Most are throwbacks to a different time and way of life. Maybe they worked in your grandmother’s day, but times change.
Is it really tacky to ask for cash instead of gifts? Do you have to go with diamond rings? The good news is that you can leave many of the old traditions behind and create a wedding that’s completely yours.
Does it Have to Be a Diamond?
To be sure, diamond rings remain a beloved and popular choice for rings. But, the popularity of nontraditional engagement rings and wedding bands is on the rise. Many couples prefer unusual styles that let their personalities shine. Stunning rings designed with different gemstones, inlays, finishes and materials offer a lot of custom options.
Many couples are also choosing engagement rings and unique wedding bands that complement the engagement ring or makes its own statement.
If a diamond’s not your thing or you’re looking for something beyond the traditional diamond setting, you have a lot of choices. Go ahead and forget the traditional wedding rules and get something you love instead.
The White Wedding Gown
Whispers aside, if white’s not your best color, don’t wear it. Bright colors and pastels have become increasingly popular. Practicality is also at the forefront. Many brides choose a wedding dress they can wear more than once rather than the traditional one-time-only gown.
In fact, the traditional formal attire requirement for both the wedding party and guests is one of those wedding rules that are made to be broken. Personalizing your wedding means the sky’s the limit when it comes to colors and dress. Wear whatever color and style you want and don’t worry about
Who’s in the Party?
Traditional wedding parties are made up of women on the bride’s side and men on the groom’s. More and more couples choose to break that tradition to include the people they’re closest to regardless of gender.
For example, a bride might be close to her brother and include him on her side of the party. Giving the people closest to you a prominent place is what makes the event so special.
Also a tradition, but one you can easily break is the child requirement when it comes to the ring bearer and flower girl.ย If you have a couple of cute children in the family, you want to include, go for it. If not, break with tradition in your own way and forget the wedding rules.
One bride asked her own grandmother and her partner’s grandmother to walk down the aisle with flowers. Talk about a magical moment.
Feeding the People
Everyone looks forward to the food after a wedding, but traditional buffets aren’t the only way to go. One of the most popular new trends is setting up various types of feeding stations in the reception hall. Other options include food bars where people put their own food dishes together.
And when it comes to food, don’t forget the cake. Or, forget the cake if you want. There’s no law that says you have to spend hundreds of dollars on an intricately decorated cake. Have pie, pudding, ice cream or baked Alaska. It might be a good idea to have sheet cakes for guests, though.
It’s your day, so go ahead and break the wedding rules. Traditions are fine if that’s what you want. But, don’t worry about breaking the traditional wedding rules to make your wedding truly special. It’s your wedding, after all.
