Update Old-fashioned Weddings
Customize and Modernize Out-of-Date Wedding Customs
Creative brides and grooms are finding more and more ways to personalize the details of their wedding ceremony, dinner and reception.
No longer is it considered necessary to follow old-fashioned customs simply because “that is how it is done!” There are many ways to add a personal touch to a wedding by fine-tuning traditional wedding customs, giving the day a more modern feel.
Garter Toss and Bouquet Toss
Many modern brides are opting out of the tradition of the garter toss altogether, deeming it sexist and antiquated. Consider including male guests in the flower toss so that everyone will have a chance to participate in what is often a fun ritual at the wedding reception.
Toss the bouquet, but avoid making single friends and relatives feel uncomfortable by centering them out. Allow all women (or all men, for that matter) to join in the fun. Attach new meaning to the toss by announcing that the person who catches the bouquet will be granted good luck, rather than assuming he or she will be the next to be married. Instead of throwing the bridal bouquet, consider surprising guests by tossing a handful of individually-tied single flowers, or a handful of chocolate coins, spreading the good luck even further!
Wedding Favours
Instead of giving guests traditional candy bonbonnieres, simplify things by arranging to make a donation in guests’ names to a charity, and provide a small, printed card at each place setting explaining the choice. An alternative to going this simpler route is to get creative with your wedding favours, giving your guests a small gift such as a packet of seeds to be scattered in their garden or a few homemade cookies baked with love.
Bridal Party
It is perfectly acceptable to include a male on the bride’s side of the wedding party. Likewise, some grooms are choosing to include their sister or female friend as a member of the groom’s side of the wedding party. Honour these special people by describing their relationship to the bride and groom in a wedding program, or by introducing them at the reception.
Involving Pets in a Wedding
If animals are members of the family, why not include them in the wedding somehow? A floral collar looks pretty on any breed of dog, and provided the wedding venue will allow it (outdoor or garden weddings are obviously most appropriate), a loyal pet can become a member of the wedding party.
Non-traditional Wedding Music
Toss the traditional wedding march out the window by playing a non-traditional piece of meaningful, modern music during the wedding processional or recessional. This is a great way to add personality and uniqueness to the celebration and can be particularly effective if the music is known by friends and family to have special meaning to the bride and groom. Add a description of why the piece of music was chosen, in your program.
Before deciding to do away with an old-fashioned wedding custom, brides and grooms should think about ways to make them more personal or unique in order to add special meaning to their wedding. Guests will be impressed at how memorable the day becomes!
