As soon as you make the decision to get engaged, you start a subconscious countdown to your actual wedding day. Even if you won’t be walking down the aisle anytime soon, you still will feel a bit of pressure to get the ball rolling. There are countless tasks involved in the planning process, and waiting too long to start some of them can limit your options. Thankfully, there are a few easy things you can pursue to make the overall experience less taxing.
Since organization is key to planning any event, you’ll find certain tools and resources invaluable. Look at these tips and see how you can bring about some order.
The Timeline
One of the earliest tasks that couples need to sort out after engagement is picking a date for the nuptials. Once you’ve gotten this out of the way, you have a clear idea of how much time you have to work with for the planning phase. Most people find that thinking about large chunks of time in an abstract way can make the date more of a looming deadline than an event to anticipate with excitement. To give the timeline a concrete feeling, you want to bring it into the tangible world.
Whether you mark a calendar, download a timekeeping app, or design a poster that you can use to monitor progress, there are plenty of ways to make your timeline feel ordered. Think about the pros and cons of each approach, and it will do wonders to offer insight into which path will help best.
The Budget
Outside of the date itself, the budget is the other major thing that couples need to figure out early. Knowing how much you can afford to spend on your wedding will dictate a large chunk of other details. Naturally, not everyone is an expert when it comes to balancing a budget. If you and your partner both struggle with financial matters, you might need some extra help. Apps meant for managing personal funds can be a great place to begin.
Budgeting applications come in handy in a multitude of scenarios. While you might find one is useful for planning your nuptials, you can use what you learned and apply it toward bigger financial decisions you will need to make later.
The Contracts and Documents
As you get into the process, you’ll start to deal with more vendors. The more interviews and consultations you attend, the more paperwork you are likely going to find in your possession. From documents detailing services to contracts that you have created, losing even one paper can lead to some major setbacks. In this scenario, you don’t need any complicated applications or programs on your phone. Though digital solutions are available, a classic binder or folder is the safest bet.
Learn how to code your binder in a way that makes accessing documents a quick and effortless experience. If you can pull open a folder and spot the exact item you need, it can make you feel more on top of the process overall.
The Messaging Timeline
Coordinating with family members and friends is a big part of planning a wedding. However, you can’t always rely on a mass text message or email blast to get important details across. When you’re trying to keep all members of the wedding party in the loop, a phone app like WhatsApp or Signal can be a great solution. Regardless of service provider or location, all people on the chain can come together and receive updates in a straightforward and efficient way.
Though it might seem like planning a wedding is a process that has too many moving parts to keep track of, there are some easy steps you can take to make sense of the madness. Look at all of your options and see which works best for your planning style.
Wedding trends constantly change to meet the needs of modern couples. Nontraditional weddings are on trend for those people who don’t want to walk down the aisle in a white gown with matching bridesmaids. Here are some ideas to get you started on a nontraditional wedding that is more to your specifications.
Mix Up The Order of the Day
One of the latest wedding trends is to party before the ceremony. The reception comes first. At the end of the evening, the couple takes their vows before the guests leave. Couples are also taking a few moments at the start of the day to say their vows together in private before the celebrations begin. It’s kind of a chance to really enjoy the day as it should be instead of as a whirlwind of activity. There’s no reason to avoid each other until the ceremony unless you really want to be traditional.
Create Your Own Wedding Playlist
Who says you need a DJ to play the music at the reception? Make your own playlist to pipe in through the speakers at the reception hall. Rent a karaoke machine. Hire a standup comedian instead of playing any music. Play your favorite movies. Have card or board games on the reception tables to entertain guests.
Go Nontraditional And Skip the Cake Smash
Smashing cake in each other’s faces isn’t for everyone, especially when you’re wearing beautiful and expensive wedding attire. If you’re looking for an alternative to cake, whether you want to smash it or not, switch it up by serving doughnuts, cupcakes, brownies or even pies. Think about desserts that your guests will love and enjoy instead of formal wedding cake. If sweets aren’t your thing, go with a nice cheese board for dessert. Serve up a plate of pretzels or offer a smoothie bar with lots of fruit that will cleanse everyone’s palate.
Go With a Nontraditional Venue
Host your wedding party at a winery or a restaurant instead of the traditional wedding venue. Think about unexpected locations, a bowling alley, the game store, City Hall in the town next door or a private home that has a beautiful garden. Small weddings can save you money and give you the opportunity to really enjoy your friends and family who came to support you. If you really want to surprise your guests, don’t tell anyone why you’re gathering until you are together. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to find a venue that reflects you both and reduces your stress about the ceremony.
Plant a Tree
Forgo the candle ceremony for another option, such as planting a tree or holding a sand ceremony. Choose a tree that can be planted in a pot until you get settled as a couple. Once you buy your first home, you can set it in the yard as a reminder of the day you came together. In a sand ceremony, each of you pours colored sand into a vase together, symbolic of the blending of your two lives. Alternatively, create a time capsule of your wedding day. Ask guests to write well wishes that you can read in 10 or 20 years. Choose a few elements that you each can put in the box to be locked away until that milestone anniversary.
Make Your Wedding About You
It’s okay to kick the rule book out for your wedding. If you’re not into Pinterest boards and managing every detail, do what makes you happy. When you do the unexpected, your wedding will be more memorable. Get creative with your wedding. Include some fun and humor. Your wedding day is a once-in-a-lifetime event that should reflect you both.
Weddings and receptions can take inspiration from various sources, including cultural traditions, literary influences, and popular media. One custom that transcends boundaries is the wedding speech. Usually offered at receptions, a close friend or family member of the newlyweds is expected to say a few words. This is especially true for parents, best men, maids of honor, and other special people. Whether you’re a naturally gifted speaker or someone who struggles with speeches, consider these tips:
1. Make a Plan
There are very few people who can give a great speech off the top of their heads. A professional emcee may be able to do so, but unless that’s your job, you’re probably a loved one to the newly married couple. Your speech is an important part of the day’s events, and you want your loved ones to fondly recollect what you have to say. Plan your speech well in advance. This gives you time to refine what you want to say and solicit feedback, if necessary.
2. Start With Gratitude
You’ve probably seen an award show where the winner or guest of honor starts by thanking the people that helped them. You’re not accepting an award, but gratitude for the people that made the day a reality is a great place to start. This should include the newlyweds (especially the person that asked you to speak), parents, and other “very important people” as appropriate. Showing appreciation also gives you a place to start and get over your nerves.
3. Focus on the Couple In Your Speech
Your connection to one or both of the newlyweds is important, as it explains why you’ve got something to say. Your relationship can provide good fodder for a speech, but remember, the day is all about the newlyweds. You and the bride or groom may go way back, but the focus should be on the new union. If you don’t know the other person very well, you’ve got time to get to know more about them.
4. Mind the Time
There’s a good chance you won’t be the only person making a speech, so it’s important to mind the time. The ideal length for your speech should be around two to three minutes. Longer speeches may bore listeners and, worse, infringe upon other activities at the wedding or reception. Focus on the main point of what you intend to say and keep it short and sweet.
5. Joke Responsibly In Your Speech
Humor is in the ear of the listener. While most people can appreciate a funny speech, be mindful of jokes that may not land well with the couple or other guests. What you and a sibling or close friend consider hilarious may not be true with someone from a different generation or background. Good-natured ribbing can easily become teasing or bullying if you’re not careful.
6. Put It in Writing
It’s generally better to write your speech instead of attempting to memorize it. In the heat of the moment, your nerves may cause you to forget what you were going to say. Sometimes reading a speech can look awkward, but it’s better than rambling, especially if you’re drawing a blank. At the very least, write down your main points.
7. Practice Your Speech
Even the best speakers rehearse their speeches. The more you practice giving your speech, the more prepared and comfortable you’ll be. Rehearse your speech as if you’re giving it on the big day. Record yourself, so you can review areas for improvement, including the way you stand and over-reliance on filler words such as “um” and “like.”
Wedding speeches are a time-honored tradition of nuptials, including Canadian ones. If you’ve been asked to say a few words, consider these tips for crafting and delivering something special for your favorite newlyweds. You may not be able to buy the most expensive gift on the registry, but you can deliver a nice speech from the heart.
Once you and your significant other have agreed to tie the knot, you’re on a countdown to the big day. Your thoughts turn to all the details you need to figure out for your marriage ceremony. One of the big decisions to make is deciding who will be in the wedding party. As with couples all over the world, Canadian couples often look to close friends and family members to be bridesmaids, groomsmen, and other participants.
Asking a bestie or a sibling to be a maid of honor or best man is a no-brainer. You may be inspired to find creative ways to ask those closest to you to commit to being in the wedding party. The closest ones probably expect to be asked, but what about other people who are expecting to be asked to participate? How do you break the news to them? Consider the following suggestions.
Don’t Delay
If you’re asking someone to be in your wedding party, it’s important to do it as early as possible. Similarly, if you’re telling someone they won’t be in that number, it’s important to avoid delaying. Breaking the news gets harder to do the longer you wait. That person may be making special arrangements to be a groomsman or bridesmaid. Moreover, you don’t want them to find out secondhand from others.
Tell Them in Person
When it comes to potentially difficult conversations, it’s best to have a face-to-face meeting. Sending an email or text message is incredibly rude and may unintentionally suggest you don’t value your relationship with the person. If an in-person meeting is impossible because of geography, call them or set up a virtual meeting.
Be Direct and Up-Front
When you do meet with your friend or family member, honesty and directness are key. Don’t beat around the bush. Honor them by getting straight to the point. Hemming and hawing about it may sound like you’re being dishonest or hiding something from them. If you have neutral or positive reasons for your choice, be honest. If there are negative reasons for not including them, you can still be honest, but be intentional about your delivery.
Validate Their Feelings
There’s always the possibility your loved one won’t react well to the news. Not being a part of the wedding party can be very disappointing and feel like rejection. Let them vent. Acknowledge their feelings and remind them of how much you value your relationship. Reassure them their presence at the wedding is important to you and your spouse-to-be. At the very least, make space for them to be disappointed and listen.
Find Other Ways To Include Them
It’s common for friends to be asked to serve as ushers when you’ve reached the limit on groomsmen or bridesmaids. Does your loved one have a special talent, such as singing or playing an instrument? Ask them to do a selection or two in the ceremony. Perhaps that person has the gift of gab and would make a great emcee for the reception. You can also give them bridesmaid or groomsman-type duties like planning a stag and doe party or wedding shower. There are many ways for loved ones to be involved.
Expect the Best and Prepare for the Worst
Although this won’t be the easiest conversation to have, be optimistic. Your loved one may be very understanding of the choice you’ve made. They’ll appreciate your openness and warmth. If they respond with anger and hostility, you may be forced to take an honest look at your relationship.
Your nuptials should be a joyous occasion you and your partner look forward to. Although preparing for the big day should be fun, you may have to explain to friends and family they won’t be in your wedding party. Your decision shouldn’t end a relationship, so keep these suggestions in mind.
Eco-friendly weddings are on trend. Sending digital invites and using a website to provide information about your wedding is a great way to save time and paper. If you’re considering sending digital thank you notes, consider these reasons for handwriting your thank you notes.
Handwritten Notes Are More Personal
Setting words on paper takes time. It’s very easy to dash off a text or email. When you sit down to write thank you notes, it’s an investment in your time and emotions. You may have to think about what to write before you set it in ink. Handwritten notes are often more authentic and thoughtful than digital notes. The recipient will know you cared enough to take time out of your busy schedule to write a note.
Everyone Loves To Get Mail
When you send and mail a handwritten note, it stands out. Who doesn’t like to find something special in the mailbox? Think about how many emails or texts you get each day. How many of those do you really remember and save? Many people keep handwritten notes and cards for months, even years. A wedding thank you note is about more than just the gift. You can thank someone for showing up and supporting your relationship or for being there during your life. Reading those words may be just what the recipient needs to hear.
Handwritten Notes Show Gratitude
When you send digital missives, it’s easy to rewrite the note until you get it just right. When writing thank you notes by hand, you either get it right the first time or start over on a new card. After a while, that could be expensive. Handwritten notes can share your gratitude more authentically than digital notes.
Know Who Gets Thank You Notes
Every guest who showed up for your wedding should get a thank you note, whether or not they brought a present. You should also send thank you notes for each gift received at other wedding parties, like for your engagement or wedding shower. Even with smaller weddings, you want to keep up with those notes so you aren’t overwhelmed after the wedding.
Tips To Keep Up With a Mountain of Thank You Notes
You may have 100 or more thank-you notes to write after the wedding and honeymoon. You may be ready to be done with wedding planning and move on. The key to tackling this final task is to plan ahead. Start by ordering thank you notes when you order your invitations, even if you use digital invites.
Discuss thank you notes with your future spouse when you start planning your wedding. Ensure you’re both on the same page with how you plan to handle the notes. Buy stamps. Make address return labels. Track home addresses as you get gifts from your friends and family. This will make the job of writing notes much more manageable.
Have a page in your wedding planning notebook for people who need thank-you notes. Instead of waiting until after the wedding, write notes as you receive gifts. You can wait to mail them after the wedding. If you spend a half hour each week writing a couple of notes, it will dramatically reduce your time when you get home from your honeymoon.
Don’t Procrastinate
Plan an evening after the honeymoon when you and your partner will sit down and plow through the rest of your thank you notes. Maybe you can ask one or two friends to help you with the notes and to keep you accountable. Your friends and family will think you’re organized and on top of things when they receive handwritten thank-you notes.
Putting together the details of a wedding can add a lot of stress to your relationship. As you figure out the details of seating charts and attend endless meetings with vendors, you may find yourself taking out your frustrations on your significant other. To avoid souring your bond during this period, you must take active steps to keep your connection strong. By keeping a few important points in mind, you will have an easier time maintaining a healthy relationship from your engagement until long after you have tied the knot.
Watch What You Say
One of the easiest ways to crack the foundation of a relationship is by complaining about your partner when he or she is not around. While everyone needs to vent now and again, doing so too much can start to enforce negative opinions about your significant other in your own mind. To break this habit, watch what you say to family and friends. Try to focus on your partner’s positive attributes instead of the ways that he or she has caused you frustration. By singing your love’s praises, you’ll remember why you fell in love in the first place.
Find Time for Relationship Dates
Planning a wedding requires a good chunk of your free time. However, you still need to set aside time where the two of you can spend time together without the need to focus on event details. Having a date night each week is one of the best ways to keep your connection strong. There is no need to go out and spend a lot of money, either. Since you likely want to keep an eye on your budget, focus on ideas that won’t cost you much. Spending a night at home eating pizza and binging TV can be perfect.
Show Your Love in Small Ways
Grand gestures are not needed to stoke the flames of love. In fact, most people are able to maintain their relationships by focusing on small actions. If your partner needs a dose of caffeine to start the day, make a pot of coffee before he or she wakes. Buy a little present out of the blue just to show you care. Take on household chores that you know your significant other hates to tackle. By putting effort into small gestures, you can strengthen the foundation of your relationship in a meaningful way.
Be Sure To Listen In The Relationship
Though it might seem obvious, listening to your partner when he or she is speaking to you is crucial for the future of your relationship. Many people struggle with this because technology has made it easy to become distracted. If you’re having a conversation with your significant other, be sure to put down your phone and turn off the television. Rid the room of anything that might steal away your attention and put your full focus on what your partner has to say. The more you practice active listening, the easier it becomes to remember what has been discussed.
Celebrate Whenever Possible
Finally, make sure you take time to celebrate important moments in your relationship. Acknowledging important milestones and accomplishments can help to bring you closer together. Though your time and funds might be limited as you plan your wedding, setting aside a night to focus on all you have achieved is a wonderful way to bond. Whether you’ve had a great week at work or you’re approaching the anniversary of your first date, pop open a bottle of wine and give yourselves the opportunity to feel good about life together.
While there’s no secret to maintaining a healthy relationship, there are many little ways to keep your connection strong during difficult times. Be sure to focus on each other as you move through the stress of planning your wedding, and be reminded of why you decided to take this step in the first place.
Traditionally, a wedding is an event where alcohol is readily available to guests. However, there are plenty of reasons to keep your big day free of liquor. Whether you or someone you love struggles with alcoholism or you simply don’t want the crowd to get out of control, you may be interested in having a dry celebration. Explore these tips and learn more about how you can throw a wedding without relying on alcohol.
Reasons To Consider a Dry Wedding
If you’re on the fence about having a dry wedding, there are a few points to keep in mind about the decision. For one, statistics highlight that providing drinks to guests over the course of the event greatly increases the odds of someone getting injured during the festivities. What’s more, the laws in some areas state that you could be held legally responsible for any damage done to people or property as a result of overindulgence at your wedding. Other reasons to consider a dry wedding include your religion, personal beliefs, and budget.
Informing the Crowd of No Alcohol
Since many people expect that drinks will be served at a wedding, you need to make your decision to have a dry event known as early as possible. The best and most straightforward way to achieve this is by noting the information on your invitations. If you’re worried about upsetting some of your guests with the news, phrase the message in a way that suggests you’re hosting a dry event because you want to throw a party that everyone will remember.
It can also be a good idea to create a contingency plan in the event that guests sneak drinks into the venue or consume a lot of alcohol at a separate location before the reception. Work with the management team at your venue and arrange for employees to keep watch over the crowd and take note of anyone who might be sipping out of a flask or carrying bottles in their bags.
Setting the Right Mood Without Alcohol
You definitely don’t need alcohol to have a good time at a party. All you have to do to make the crowd feel excited is set the right mood. To keep your guests in a festive spirit throughout the night, work with your DJ or band to create playlists that will get people up and dancing for hours. Try to avoid too many slow songs, as these are typically the moments when guests will go to the bar to get a new drink. You may also want to consider games and activities that will keep the crowd engaged.
Offering a Delicious Selection
When you don’t have to worry about spending a ton of money on alcohol, you can free up space in your budget for other necessities like food. By providing a delicious selection of appetizers, entrees, and desserts to your guests, you will be able to give the crowd something positive to remember. Think outside the box to really impress your guests and explore off-beat ideas like hiring a local food truck to serve snacks.
Exploring Alcohol-Free Drinks
Though you won’t be serving alcohol at your event, you can still explore the idea of having a bar that serves specialty drinks. Mocktails have become increasingly popular in recent years, as they provide the chance for guests to indulge in delicious concoctions without relying on liquor. If you’re having an outdoor event in the summer, for example, this is a perfect opportunity for a lemonade bar where you provide creative infusions like mint, raspberry, lavender, and blueberry. Guests will have the chance to quench their thirsts, feel refreshed, and get back to dancing.
Though it might seem like alcohol is an integral component of weddings, this is far from the truth. If you feel more comfortable having a dry event, there are plenty of ways to ensure a good time is still had by all.
Many people envision their wedding day as something magical with clear ideas of what the day will entail, including those who will support them at the altar. Members of the wedding party assume responsibility for helping a couple prepare for their nuptials. They should understand they’ll be helping you kick off this new phase in life. You’ll be asking a lot of these people, so remember these “facts” about those in your wedding party.
The Wedding Party is Not Your Wallet or Purse
It’s fairly common for bridesmaids and groomsmen to be responsible for paying for their attire, whether they’re renting or buying. A best man or maid of honor may have additional duties such as planning a stag and doe party or other prenuptial festivities. Be thoughtful about what the people in your wedding party are spending to participate. Your marriage ceremony shouldn’t be a financial burden to you and your future spouse. It definitely shouldn’t be one to those in your wedding party!
They’re Not Your Servant or Secretary
Your nearest and dearest friends and family members often have good ideas and wisdom, making them excellent resources when planning nuptials. Don’t take advantage of their willingness to help. It’s important to be reasonable when expecting others to accommodate your schedule. They have lives of their own. Inviting them to help you find an outfit or sample cakes is cool. Expecting them to be at your beck and call is not.
They’re Not Mind Readers
You might have a sibling or best friend that knows you really well. While they might have a strong sense of your likes and dislikes, you shouldn’t assume they can read your mind. Clear and constant communication is important when preparing for a marriage ceremony. If you want your bridesmaids or groomsmen to do or not do certain things, say so.
They’re Not Your Dolls
Many Canadian couples like the idea of a themed marriage ceremony and reception. A themed event may call for a particular look for your wedding party, especially when it comes to hair, makeup, and apparel. Remember your loved ones aren’t dolls where you can dramatically change their appearance based on your whims. Asking someone to wear a long-sleeved top to cover up tattoos is one thing. Expecting someone to change their hair color is another. It’s unreasonable to expect others to alter the way they look to please you.
They’re Not Your Subjects
Your nuptials are about you and your spouse. While your groomsmen or bridesmaids want you to be happy, you can’t force them to do things they don’t want to do. For example, if you have a loved one that doesn’t drink, don’t expect them to enjoy a glass of champagne just because it’s time to toast. While the day is one of the most important ones in your life, that doesn’t give you the right to bark orders to those in your wedding party. Respect your bridesmaids and groomsmen.
They’re Not Your Fixers
Despite the best-laid plans, something can go wrong, especially when you’re tying the knot. If a photographer fails to show up, don’t expect the people in your wedding party to “save the day” with a smartphone camera or something equally ridiculous. Mistakes are unfortunate, but you can’t expect your circle to fix everything that doesn’t go according to plan.
Having people who love you enough to be in your wedding party is a blessing. Not everyone has that kind of support, so be grateful for those who can handle reasonable duties as a bridesmaid or a groomsman. Making irrational or unrealistic demands of those around you can turn what should be a dream into a nightmare for loved ones.
There are quite a few topics you would want to discuss before getting married. Couples all over the world pledge to marry each other with the understanding that their lives will be tied together. Canadian couples understand the concept of “two becoming one.” They know that married life will be one of joint decision-making, compromises, and hopefully, a balanced exchange of ideas. A successful union is more than just sharing a home or a bed. You’ll be sharing more than just a living space, which is why it’s important to see where the two of you stand on certain key issues. It’s hard to know your significant other’s perspective without having these difficult, although critical, conversations before the big day.
Money, Money, Money
Can you imagine marrying a person with no knowledge of their income or assets? Presumably you’ll be living together, so you’ll need to have a conversation about how monthly expenses will be paid. Expand the conversation to other key money-related topics:
Attitudes towards money
Sharing bank accounts or maintaining existing assets
Short-term financial goals, such as saving for the wedding or a down payment for a home
Long-term financial goals, including college planning, retirement, and estate planning
Credit histories and attitudes on debt
Appetite for risk when it comes to investing
Sex and Intimacy
There are many opinions about whether couples should or shouldn’t have sex before marriage. Even if both of you are on the same page, it’s important to talk openly and honestly about sex and intimacy. Are there practices you enjoy? What about your partner? What if you have an aversion to the acts and expressions your partner finds enjoyable? You don’t want to discover on your honeymoon that you and your partner are incompatible when it comes to sex, intimacy, and affection.
Topics WithHealth Issues
Many engaged and newly married couples intend to start families of their own. Every couple should talk honestly and freely about health issues, especially those that run in their families. Are you predisposed to certain medical conditions? For example, if you and your spouse both come from families with a history of certain chronic diseases, you’ll want to know that, especially if you plan to have children together. Even if kids aren’t a part of the long-term plan, you should discuss medical histories. If dramatic lifestyle changes become necessary for one of you, both of you will be impacted.
Topics On Worldviews
If you’ve been dating for a while, there’s a good chance you know your significant other’s perspective when it comes to religion and politics. You might think you’re on board with your partner’s worldview, but you’d hate to be blindsided after marriage. Some people avoid discussing these topics, thinking they’re unfruitful or destructive. It’s critical to know where you both stand. Issues you find trivial may be a big deal to your future spouse. You may be ok with your partner having a different religion or political view, but that may change once children enter the picture.
Conflict ResolutionTopics
It’s safe to say you and your significant other won’t agree on everything. That’s ok. Successful marriages aren’t about avoiding conflict but rather resolving it in a way that is mutually beneficial and healthy. Do you prefer to deal with conflict as it comes up? Maybe one or both of you tend to struggle with small disagreements, which can become bigger sources of contention. Not only do you need to discuss conflict resolution, but it’s also important to recognize how your biases, insecurities, and vulnerabilities may show up in your disagreements.
Sharing life together as a married couple means understanding that some days won’t be as sunny as others. Having open and honest discussions about difficult topics beforehand can help you navigate through and around storms. While it’s important to approach marriage with an open heart, open eyes are also critical.
Tying the knot is a very exciting chapter in the love story you are creating with your partner. Still, it can prove helpful to take a closer look at whether or not your event reflects current wedding trends. From the median age of a couple when they decide to get married to the traditions surrounding surnames, Canadian wedding trends fluctuate from one year to the next. Take a look at these statistics surrounding modern weddings and learn a bit more about the evolution of marriage in Canada over recent decades.
Waiting To Wed
In the 1980s, the average age for a person to get married in Canada was 23. Over the last few decades, however, people have been waiting long periods before making the decision to walk down the aisle. Some experts believe this is due to younger individuals putting a heavier focus on their careers. Others attribute the delay to the rising costs of living and how expensive it has become to start a family. Regardless of the exact reason, the median age for a person to wed in Canada has shifted to 31 as of 2022.
Breaking With Tradition
Modern couples often like to break with traditions that no longer suit them. A great example of this can be found in brides who decide to keep their own last names after getting married. In the 1970s, almost all Canadian women who tied the knot changed their surnames. According to polls taken in 2019, this number has shifted a considerable amount. Roughly 40% of women who get married nowadays opt not to fully change their names. Of this percentage, about half decide to hyphenate their last names in order to incorporate their married names.
Setting Statistics Aside
As of 2023, about 36 countries across the world have legalized same-sex marriage. While this trend highlights how accepting people around the planet have become of LGBT relationships, it is important to note that Canada was one of the first countries to make this decision. Same-sex marriage was officially legalized in Canada on July 20, 2005, after the Civil Marriage Act was passed. While this act made same-sex marriages legal nationwide, certain provinces had legalized these unions earlier. Provinces that passed marriage equality laws in 2004 include Quebec, Yukon, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Saskatchewan, and Newfoundland.
Opting for Winter Engagements
There is no “right” time of year to get engaged. As long as you and your partner are on the same page, the decision to get married can be a great choice. Still, some studies have shown that a majority of Canadian couples prefer to pop the question during the same period. According to a number of reports, a large chunk of couples make the decision to get engaged between December and February. While they may prefer winter engagements, most couples wind up hosting their weddings during the spring and summer.
Sharing Space First
Several decades ago, it was commonplace for couples to live separately until they officially tied the knot. This is a trend that has shifted dramatically in recent years. According to national stats, roughly 75% of couples decide to live together before making the decision to get married. Many couples opt to move in together before marriage in order to see how well their relationships fare when they’re sharing a space. If you wait until you’re married to live with your partner, you might discover that the two of you have very different ideas on cohabitation.
Ignoring Statistics & Following Your Own Path
While it can be helpful to take a look at statistics now and again, it is important to remember that your wedding does not need to follow any specific rules or trends. As long as you and your partner are happy with the decisions you have made, everything else will fall into place.
As soon as you make the decision to get engaged, you start a subconscious countdown to your actual wedding day. Even if you won’t be walking down the aisle anytime soon, you still will feel a bit of pressure to get the ball rolling. There are countless tasks involved in the planning process, and waiting too long to start some of them can limit your options. Thankfully, there are a few easy things you can pursue to make the overall experience less taxing.
Since organization is key to planning any event, you’ll find certain tools and resources invaluable. Look at these tips and see how you can bring about some order.
The Timeline
One of the earliest tasks that couples need to sort out after engagement is picking a date for the nuptials. Once you’ve gotten this out of the way, you have a clear idea of how much time you have to work with for the planning phase. Most people find that thinking about large chunks of time in an abstract way can make the date more of a looming deadline than an event to anticipate with excitement. To give the timeline a concrete feeling, you want to bring it into the tangible world.
Whether you mark a calendar, download a timekeeping app, or design a poster that you can use to monitor progress, there are plenty of ways to make your timeline feel ordered. Think about the pros and cons of each approach, and it will do wonders to offer insight into which path will help best.
The Budget
Outside of the date itself, the budget is the other major thing that couples need to figure out early. Knowing how much you can afford to spend on your wedding will dictate a large chunk of other details. Naturally, not everyone is an expert when it comes to balancing a budget. If you and your partner both struggle with financial matters, you might need some extra help. Apps meant for managing personal funds can be a great place to begin.
Budgeting applications come in handy in a multitude of scenarios. While you might find one is useful for planning your nuptials, you can use what you learned and apply it toward bigger financial decisions you will need to make later.
The Contracts and Documents
As you get into the process, you’ll start to deal with more vendors. The more interviews and consultations you attend, the more paperwork you are likely going to find in your possession. From documents detailing services to contracts that you have created, losing even one paper can lead to some major setbacks. In this scenario, you don’t need any complicated applications or programs on your phone. Though digital solutions are available, a classic binder or folder is the safest bet.
Learn how to code your binder in a way that makes accessing documents a quick and effortless experience. If you can pull open a folder and spot the exact item you need, it can make you feel more on top of the process overall.
The Messaging Timeline
Coordinating with family members and friends is a big part of planning a wedding. However, you can’t always rely on a mass text message or email blast to get important details across. When you’re trying to keep all members of the wedding party in the loop, a phone app like WhatsApp or Signal can be a great solution. Regardless of service provider or location, all people on the chain can come together and receive updates in a straightforward and efficient way.
Though it might seem like planning a wedding is a process that has too many moving parts to keep track of, there are some easy steps you can take to make sense of the madness. Look at all of your options and see which works best for your planning style.
Wedding trends constantly change to meet the needs of modern couples. Nontraditional weddings are on trend for those people who don’t want to walk down the aisle in a white gown with matching bridesmaids. Here are some ideas to get you started on a nontraditional wedding that is more to your specifications.
Mix Up The Order of the Day
One of the latest wedding trends is to party before the ceremony. The reception comes first. At the end of the evening, the couple takes their vows before the guests leave. Couples are also taking a few moments at the start of the day to say their vows together in private before the celebrations begin. It’s kind of a chance to really enjoy the day as it should be instead of as a whirlwind of activity. There’s no reason to avoid each other until the ceremony unless you really want to be traditional.
Create Your Own Wedding Playlist
Who says you need a DJ to play the music at the reception? Make your own playlist to pipe in through the speakers at the reception hall. Rent a karaoke machine. Hire a standup comedian instead of playing any music. Play your favorite movies. Have card or board games on the reception tables to entertain guests.
Go Nontraditional And Skip the Cake Smash
Smashing cake in each other’s faces isn’t for everyone, especially when you’re wearing beautiful and expensive wedding attire. If you’re looking for an alternative to cake, whether you want to smash it or not, switch it up by serving doughnuts, cupcakes, brownies or even pies. Think about desserts that your guests will love and enjoy instead of formal wedding cake. If sweets aren’t your thing, go with a nice cheese board for dessert. Serve up a plate of pretzels or offer a smoothie bar with lots of fruit that will cleanse everyone’s palate.
Go With a Nontraditional Venue
Host your wedding party at a winery or a restaurant instead of the traditional wedding venue. Think about unexpected locations, a bowling alley, the game store, City Hall in the town next door or a private home that has a beautiful garden. Small weddings can save you money and give you the opportunity to really enjoy your friends and family who came to support you. If you really want to surprise your guests, don’t tell anyone why you’re gathering until you are together. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to find a venue that reflects you both and reduces your stress about the ceremony.
Plant a Tree
Forgo the candle ceremony for another option, such as planting a tree or holding a sand ceremony. Choose a tree that can be planted in a pot until you get settled as a couple. Once you buy your first home, you can set it in the yard as a reminder of the day you came together. In a sand ceremony, each of you pours colored sand into a vase together, symbolic of the blending of your two lives. Alternatively, create a time capsule of your wedding day. Ask guests to write well wishes that you can read in 10 or 20 years. Choose a few elements that you each can put in the box to be locked away until that milestone anniversary.
Make Your Wedding About You
It’s okay to kick the rule book out for your wedding. If you’re not into Pinterest boards and managing every detail, do what makes you happy. When you do the unexpected, your wedding will be more memorable. Get creative with your wedding. Include some fun and humor. Your wedding day is a once-in-a-lifetime event that should reflect you both.
Weddings and receptions can take inspiration from various sources, including cultural traditions, literary influences, and popular media. One custom that transcends boundaries is the wedding speech. Usually offered at receptions, a close friend or family member of the newlyweds is expected to say a few words. This is especially true for parents, best men, maids of honor, and other special people. Whether you’re a naturally gifted speaker or someone who struggles with speeches, consider these tips:
1. Make a Plan
There are very few people who can give a great speech off the top of their heads. A professional emcee may be able to do so, but unless that’s your job, you’re probably a loved one to the newly married couple. Your speech is an important part of the day’s events, and you want your loved ones to fondly recollect what you have to say. Plan your speech well in advance. This gives you time to refine what you want to say and solicit feedback, if necessary.
2. Start With Gratitude
You’ve probably seen an award show where the winner or guest of honor starts by thanking the people that helped them. You’re not accepting an award, but gratitude for the people that made the day a reality is a great place to start. This should include the newlyweds (especially the person that asked you to speak), parents, and other “very important people” as appropriate. Showing appreciation also gives you a place to start and get over your nerves.
3. Focus on the Couple In Your Speech
Your connection to one or both of the newlyweds is important, as it explains why you’ve got something to say. Your relationship can provide good fodder for a speech, but remember, the day is all about the newlyweds. You and the bride or groom may go way back, but the focus should be on the new union. If you don’t know the other person very well, you’ve got time to get to know more about them.
4. Mind the Time
There’s a good chance you won’t be the only person making a speech, so it’s important to mind the time. The ideal length for your speech should be around two to three minutes. Longer speeches may bore listeners and, worse, infringe upon other activities at the wedding or reception. Focus on the main point of what you intend to say and keep it short and sweet.
5. Joke Responsibly In Your Speech
Humor is in the ear of the listener. While most people can appreciate a funny speech, be mindful of jokes that may not land well with the couple or other guests. What you and a sibling or close friend consider hilarious may not be true with someone from a different generation or background. Good-natured ribbing can easily become teasing or bullying if you’re not careful.
6. Put It in Writing
It’s generally better to write your speech instead of attempting to memorize it. In the heat of the moment, your nerves may cause you to forget what you were going to say. Sometimes reading a speech can look awkward, but it’s better than rambling, especially if you’re drawing a blank. At the very least, write down your main points.
7. Practice Your Speech
Even the best speakers rehearse their speeches. The more you practice giving your speech, the more prepared and comfortable you’ll be. Rehearse your speech as if you’re giving it on the big day. Record yourself, so you can review areas for improvement, including the way you stand and over-reliance on filler words such as “um” and “like.”
Wedding speeches are a time-honored tradition of nuptials, including Canadian ones. If you’ve been asked to say a few words, consider these tips for crafting and delivering something special for your favorite newlyweds. You may not be able to buy the most expensive gift on the registry, but you can deliver a nice speech from the heart.
Once you and your significant other have agreed to tie the knot, you’re on a countdown to the big day. Your thoughts turn to all the details you need to figure out for your marriage ceremony. One of the big decisions to make is deciding who will be in the wedding party. As with couples all over the world, Canadian couples often look to close friends and family members to be bridesmaids, groomsmen, and other participants.
Asking a bestie or a sibling to be a maid of honor or best man is a no-brainer. You may be inspired to find creative ways to ask those closest to you to commit to being in the wedding party. The closest ones probably expect to be asked, but what about other people who are expecting to be asked to participate? How do you break the news to them? Consider the following suggestions.
Don’t Delay
If you’re asking someone to be in your wedding party, it’s important to do it as early as possible. Similarly, if you’re telling someone they won’t be in that number, it’s important to avoid delaying. Breaking the news gets harder to do the longer you wait. That person may be making special arrangements to be a groomsman or bridesmaid. Moreover, you don’t want them to find out secondhand from others.
Tell Them in Person
When it comes to potentially difficult conversations, it’s best to have a face-to-face meeting. Sending an email or text message is incredibly rude and may unintentionally suggest you don’t value your relationship with the person. If an in-person meeting is impossible because of geography, call them or set up a virtual meeting.
Be Direct and Up-Front
When you do meet with your friend or family member, honesty and directness are key. Don’t beat around the bush. Honor them by getting straight to the point. Hemming and hawing about it may sound like you’re being dishonest or hiding something from them. If you have neutral or positive reasons for your choice, be honest. If there are negative reasons for not including them, you can still be honest, but be intentional about your delivery.
Validate Their Feelings
There’s always the possibility your loved one won’t react well to the news. Not being a part of the wedding party can be very disappointing and feel like rejection. Let them vent. Acknowledge their feelings and remind them of how much you value your relationship. Reassure them their presence at the wedding is important to you and your spouse-to-be. At the very least, make space for them to be disappointed and listen.
Find Other Ways To Include Them
It’s common for friends to be asked to serve as ushers when you’ve reached the limit on groomsmen or bridesmaids. Does your loved one have a special talent, such as singing or playing an instrument? Ask them to do a selection or two in the ceremony. Perhaps that person has the gift of gab and would make a great emcee for the reception. You can also give them bridesmaid or groomsman-type duties like planning a stag and doe party or wedding shower. There are many ways for loved ones to be involved.
Expect the Best and Prepare for the Worst
Although this won’t be the easiest conversation to have, be optimistic. Your loved one may be very understanding of the choice you’ve made. They’ll appreciate your openness and warmth. If they respond with anger and hostility, you may be forced to take an honest look at your relationship.
Your nuptials should be a joyous occasion you and your partner look forward to. Although preparing for the big day should be fun, you may have to explain to friends and family they won’t be in your wedding party. Your decision shouldn’t end a relationship, so keep these suggestions in mind.
Eco-friendly weddings are on trend. Sending digital invites and using a website to provide information about your wedding is a great way to save time and paper. If you’re considering sending digital thank you notes, consider these reasons for handwriting your thank you notes.
Handwritten Notes Are More Personal
Setting words on paper takes time. It’s very easy to dash off a text or email. When you sit down to write thank you notes, it’s an investment in your time and emotions. You may have to think about what to write before you set it in ink. Handwritten notes are often more authentic and thoughtful than digital notes. The recipient will know you cared enough to take time out of your busy schedule to write a note.
Everyone Loves To Get Mail
When you send and mail a handwritten note, it stands out. Who doesn’t like to find something special in the mailbox? Think about how many emails or texts you get each day. How many of those do you really remember and save? Many people keep handwritten notes and cards for months, even years. A wedding thank you note is about more than just the gift. You can thank someone for showing up and supporting your relationship or for being there during your life. Reading those words may be just what the recipient needs to hear.
Handwritten Notes Show Gratitude
When you send digital missives, it’s easy to rewrite the note until you get it just right. When writing thank you notes by hand, you either get it right the first time or start over on a new card. After a while, that could be expensive. Handwritten notes can share your gratitude more authentically than digital notes.
Know Who Gets Thank You Notes
Every guest who showed up for your wedding should get a thank you note, whether or not they brought a present. You should also send thank you notes for each gift received at other wedding parties, like for your engagement or wedding shower. Even with smaller weddings, you want to keep up with those notes so you aren’t overwhelmed after the wedding.
Tips To Keep Up With a Mountain of Thank You Notes
You may have 100 or more thank-you notes to write after the wedding and honeymoon. You may be ready to be done with wedding planning and move on. The key to tackling this final task is to plan ahead. Start by ordering thank you notes when you order your invitations, even if you use digital invites.
Discuss thank you notes with your future spouse when you start planning your wedding. Ensure you’re both on the same page with how you plan to handle the notes. Buy stamps. Make address return labels. Track home addresses as you get gifts from your friends and family. This will make the job of writing notes much more manageable.
Have a page in your wedding planning notebook for people who need thank-you notes. Instead of waiting until after the wedding, write notes as you receive gifts. You can wait to mail them after the wedding. If you spend a half hour each week writing a couple of notes, it will dramatically reduce your time when you get home from your honeymoon.
Don’t Procrastinate
Plan an evening after the honeymoon when you and your partner will sit down and plow through the rest of your thank you notes. Maybe you can ask one or two friends to help you with the notes and to keep you accountable. Your friends and family will think you’re organized and on top of things when they receive handwritten thank-you notes.
Putting together the details of a wedding can add a lot of stress to your relationship. As you figure out the details of seating charts and attend endless meetings with vendors, you may find yourself taking out your frustrations on your significant other. To avoid souring your bond during this period, you must take active steps to keep your connection strong. By keeping a few important points in mind, you will have an easier time maintaining a healthy relationship from your engagement until long after you have tied the knot.
Watch What You Say
One of the easiest ways to crack the foundation of a relationship is by complaining about your partner when he or she is not around. While everyone needs to vent now and again, doing so too much can start to enforce negative opinions about your significant other in your own mind. To break this habit, watch what you say to family and friends. Try to focus on your partner’s positive attributes instead of the ways that he or she has caused you frustration. By singing your love’s praises, you’ll remember why you fell in love in the first place.
Find Time for Relationship Dates
Planning a wedding requires a good chunk of your free time. However, you still need to set aside time where the two of you can spend time together without the need to focus on event details. Having a date night each week is one of the best ways to keep your connection strong. There is no need to go out and spend a lot of money, either. Since you likely want to keep an eye on your budget, focus on ideas that won’t cost you much. Spending a night at home eating pizza and binging TV can be perfect.
Show Your Love in Small Ways
Grand gestures are not needed to stoke the flames of love. In fact, most people are able to maintain their relationships by focusing on small actions. If your partner needs a dose of caffeine to start the day, make a pot of coffee before he or she wakes. Buy a little present out of the blue just to show you care. Take on household chores that you know your significant other hates to tackle. By putting effort into small gestures, you can strengthen the foundation of your relationship in a meaningful way.
Be Sure To Listen In The Relationship
Though it might seem obvious, listening to your partner when he or she is speaking to you is crucial for the future of your relationship. Many people struggle with this because technology has made it easy to become distracted. If you’re having a conversation with your significant other, be sure to put down your phone and turn off the television. Rid the room of anything that might steal away your attention and put your full focus on what your partner has to say. The more you practice active listening, the easier it becomes to remember what has been discussed.
Celebrate Whenever Possible
Finally, make sure you take time to celebrate important moments in your relationship. Acknowledging important milestones and accomplishments can help to bring you closer together. Though your time and funds might be limited as you plan your wedding, setting aside a night to focus on all you have achieved is a wonderful way to bond. Whether you’ve had a great week at work or you’re approaching the anniversary of your first date, pop open a bottle of wine and give yourselves the opportunity to feel good about life together.
While there’s no secret to maintaining a healthy relationship, there are many little ways to keep your connection strong during difficult times. Be sure to focus on each other as you move through the stress of planning your wedding, and be reminded of why you decided to take this step in the first place.
Traditionally, a wedding is an event where alcohol is readily available to guests. However, there are plenty of reasons to keep your big day free of liquor. Whether you or someone you love struggles with alcoholism or you simply don’t want the crowd to get out of control, you may be interested in having a dry celebration. Explore these tips and learn more about how you can throw a wedding without relying on alcohol.
Reasons To Consider a Dry Wedding
If you’re on the fence about having a dry wedding, there are a few points to keep in mind about the decision. For one, statistics highlight that providing drinks to guests over the course of the event greatly increases the odds of someone getting injured during the festivities. What’s more, the laws in some areas state that you could be held legally responsible for any damage done to people or property as a result of overindulgence at your wedding. Other reasons to consider a dry wedding include your religion, personal beliefs, and budget.
Informing the Crowd of No Alcohol
Since many people expect that drinks will be served at a wedding, you need to make your decision to have a dry event known as early as possible. The best and most straightforward way to achieve this is by noting the information on your invitations. If you’re worried about upsetting some of your guests with the news, phrase the message in a way that suggests you’re hosting a dry event because you want to throw a party that everyone will remember.
It can also be a good idea to create a contingency plan in the event that guests sneak drinks into the venue or consume a lot of alcohol at a separate location before the reception. Work with the management team at your venue and arrange for employees to keep watch over the crowd and take note of anyone who might be sipping out of a flask or carrying bottles in their bags.
Setting the Right Mood Without Alcohol
You definitely don’t need alcohol to have a good time at a party. All you have to do to make the crowd feel excited is set the right mood. To keep your guests in a festive spirit throughout the night, work with your DJ or band to create playlists that will get people up and dancing for hours. Try to avoid too many slow songs, as these are typically the moments when guests will go to the bar to get a new drink. You may also want to consider games and activities that will keep the crowd engaged.
Offering a Delicious Selection
When you don’t have to worry about spending a ton of money on alcohol, you can free up space in your budget for other necessities like food. By providing a delicious selection of appetizers, entrees, and desserts to your guests, you will be able to give the crowd something positive to remember. Think outside the box to really impress your guests and explore off-beat ideas like hiring a local food truck to serve snacks.
Exploring Alcohol-Free Drinks
Though you won’t be serving alcohol at your event, you can still explore the idea of having a bar that serves specialty drinks. Mocktails have become increasingly popular in recent years, as they provide the chance for guests to indulge in delicious concoctions without relying on liquor. If you’re having an outdoor event in the summer, for example, this is a perfect opportunity for a lemonade bar where you provide creative infusions like mint, raspberry, lavender, and blueberry. Guests will have the chance to quench their thirsts, feel refreshed, and get back to dancing.
Though it might seem like alcohol is an integral component of weddings, this is far from the truth. If you feel more comfortable having a dry event, there are plenty of ways to ensure a good time is still had by all.
Many people envision their wedding day as something magical with clear ideas of what the day will entail, including those who will support them at the altar. Members of the wedding party assume responsibility for helping a couple prepare for their nuptials. They should understand they’ll be helping you kick off this new phase in life. You’ll be asking a lot of these people, so remember these “facts” about those in your wedding party.
The Wedding Party is Not Your Wallet or Purse
It’s fairly common for bridesmaids and groomsmen to be responsible for paying for their attire, whether they’re renting or buying. A best man or maid of honor may have additional duties such as planning a stag and doe party or other prenuptial festivities. Be thoughtful about what the people in your wedding party are spending to participate. Your marriage ceremony shouldn’t be a financial burden to you and your future spouse. It definitely shouldn’t be one to those in your wedding party!
They’re Not Your Servant or Secretary
Your nearest and dearest friends and family members often have good ideas and wisdom, making them excellent resources when planning nuptials. Don’t take advantage of their willingness to help. It’s important to be reasonable when expecting others to accommodate your schedule. They have lives of their own. Inviting them to help you find an outfit or sample cakes is cool. Expecting them to be at your beck and call is not.
They’re Not Mind Readers
You might have a sibling or best friend that knows you really well. While they might have a strong sense of your likes and dislikes, you shouldn’t assume they can read your mind. Clear and constant communication is important when preparing for a marriage ceremony. If you want your bridesmaids or groomsmen to do or not do certain things, say so.
They’re Not Your Dolls
Many Canadian couples like the idea of a themed marriage ceremony and reception. A themed event may call for a particular look for your wedding party, especially when it comes to hair, makeup, and apparel. Remember your loved ones aren’t dolls where you can dramatically change their appearance based on your whims. Asking someone to wear a long-sleeved top to cover up tattoos is one thing. Expecting someone to change their hair color is another. It’s unreasonable to expect others to alter the way they look to please you.
They’re Not Your Subjects
Your nuptials are about you and your spouse. While your groomsmen or bridesmaids want you to be happy, you can’t force them to do things they don’t want to do. For example, if you have a loved one that doesn’t drink, don’t expect them to enjoy a glass of champagne just because it’s time to toast. While the day is one of the most important ones in your life, that doesn’t give you the right to bark orders to those in your wedding party. Respect your bridesmaids and groomsmen.
They’re Not Your Fixers
Despite the best-laid plans, something can go wrong, especially when you’re tying the knot. If a photographer fails to show up, don’t expect the people in your wedding party to “save the day” with a smartphone camera or something equally ridiculous. Mistakes are unfortunate, but you can’t expect your circle to fix everything that doesn’t go according to plan.
Having people who love you enough to be in your wedding party is a blessing. Not everyone has that kind of support, so be grateful for those who can handle reasonable duties as a bridesmaid or a groomsman. Making irrational or unrealistic demands of those around you can turn what should be a dream into a nightmare for loved ones.
There are quite a few topics you would want to discuss before getting married. Couples all over the world pledge to marry each other with the understanding that their lives will be tied together. Canadian couples understand the concept of “two becoming one.” They know that married life will be one of joint decision-making, compromises, and hopefully, a balanced exchange of ideas. A successful union is more than just sharing a home or a bed. You’ll be sharing more than just a living space, which is why it’s important to see where the two of you stand on certain key issues. It’s hard to know your significant other’s perspective without having these difficult, although critical, conversations before the big day.
Money, Money, Money
Can you imagine marrying a person with no knowledge of their income or assets? Presumably you’ll be living together, so you’ll need to have a conversation about how monthly expenses will be paid. Expand the conversation to other key money-related topics:
Attitudes towards money
Sharing bank accounts or maintaining existing assets
Short-term financial goals, such as saving for the wedding or a down payment for a home
Long-term financial goals, including college planning, retirement, and estate planning
Credit histories and attitudes on debt
Appetite for risk when it comes to investing
Sex and Intimacy
There are many opinions about whether couples should or shouldn’t have sex before marriage. Even if both of you are on the same page, it’s important to talk openly and honestly about sex and intimacy. Are there practices you enjoy? What about your partner? What if you have an aversion to the acts and expressions your partner finds enjoyable? You don’t want to discover on your honeymoon that you and your partner are incompatible when it comes to sex, intimacy, and affection.
Topics WithHealth Issues
Many engaged and newly married couples intend to start families of their own. Every couple should talk honestly and freely about health issues, especially those that run in their families. Are you predisposed to certain medical conditions? For example, if you and your spouse both come from families with a history of certain chronic diseases, you’ll want to know that, especially if you plan to have children together. Even if kids aren’t a part of the long-term plan, you should discuss medical histories. If dramatic lifestyle changes become necessary for one of you, both of you will be impacted.
Topics On Worldviews
If you’ve been dating for a while, there’s a good chance you know your significant other’s perspective when it comes to religion and politics. You might think you’re on board with your partner’s worldview, but you’d hate to be blindsided after marriage. Some people avoid discussing these topics, thinking they’re unfruitful or destructive. It’s critical to know where you both stand. Issues you find trivial may be a big deal to your future spouse. You may be ok with your partner having a different religion or political view, but that may change once children enter the picture.
Conflict ResolutionTopics
It’s safe to say you and your significant other won’t agree on everything. That’s ok. Successful marriages aren’t about avoiding conflict but rather resolving it in a way that is mutually beneficial and healthy. Do you prefer to deal with conflict as it comes up? Maybe one or both of you tend to struggle with small disagreements, which can become bigger sources of contention. Not only do you need to discuss conflict resolution, but it’s also important to recognize how your biases, insecurities, and vulnerabilities may show up in your disagreements.
Sharing life together as a married couple means understanding that some days won’t be as sunny as others. Having open and honest discussions about difficult topics beforehand can help you navigate through and around storms. While it’s important to approach marriage with an open heart, open eyes are also critical.
Tying the knot is a very exciting chapter in the love story you are creating with your partner. Still, it can prove helpful to take a closer look at whether or not your event reflects current wedding trends. From the median age of a couple when they decide to get married to the traditions surrounding surnames, Canadian wedding trends fluctuate from one year to the next. Take a look at these statistics surrounding modern weddings and learn a bit more about the evolution of marriage in Canada over recent decades.
Waiting To Wed
In the 1980s, the average age for a person to get married in Canada was 23. Over the last few decades, however, people have been waiting long periods before making the decision to walk down the aisle. Some experts believe this is due to younger individuals putting a heavier focus on their careers. Others attribute the delay to the rising costs of living and how expensive it has become to start a family. Regardless of the exact reason, the median age for a person to wed in Canada has shifted to 31 as of 2022.
Breaking With Tradition
Modern couples often like to break with traditions that no longer suit them. A great example of this can be found in brides who decide to keep their own last names after getting married. In the 1970s, almost all Canadian women who tied the knot changed their surnames. According to polls taken in 2019, this number has shifted a considerable amount. Roughly 40% of women who get married nowadays opt not to fully change their names. Of this percentage, about half decide to hyphenate their last names in order to incorporate their married names.
Setting Statistics Aside
As of 2023, about 36 countries across the world have legalized same-sex marriage. While this trend highlights how accepting people around the planet have become of LGBT relationships, it is important to note that Canada was one of the first countries to make this decision. Same-sex marriage was officially legalized in Canada on July 20, 2005, after the Civil Marriage Act was passed. While this act made same-sex marriages legal nationwide, certain provinces had legalized these unions earlier. Provinces that passed marriage equality laws in 2004 include Quebec, Yukon, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Saskatchewan, and Newfoundland.
Opting for Winter Engagements
There is no “right” time of year to get engaged. As long as you and your partner are on the same page, the decision to get married can be a great choice. Still, some studies have shown that a majority of Canadian couples prefer to pop the question during the same period. According to a number of reports, a large chunk of couples make the decision to get engaged between December and February. While they may prefer winter engagements, most couples wind up hosting their weddings during the spring and summer.
Sharing Space First
Several decades ago, it was commonplace for couples to live separately until they officially tied the knot. This is a trend that has shifted dramatically in recent years. According to national stats, roughly 75% of couples decide to live together before making the decision to get married. Many couples opt to move in together before marriage in order to see how well their relationships fare when they’re sharing a space. If you wait until you’re married to live with your partner, you might discover that the two of you have very different ideas on cohabitation.
Ignoring Statistics & Following Your Own Path
While it can be helpful to take a look at statistics now and again, it is important to remember that your wedding does not need to follow any specific rules or trends. As long as you and your partner are happy with the decisions you have made, everything else will fall into place.
