Wedding Traditions You Can Ditch

Posted on by

Wedding Traditions You Can Ditch

There are quite a few wedding traditions which are shared around the world. Solemnizing the union of a couple is a time-honored celebration that has been influenced by many customs and traditions. From the white wedding gown to a multi-tiered cake, there are a number of practices that have endured across geographic boundaries, cultures, and generations. Despite the persistence of these customs, it’s important to remember that your wedding day is the beginning of your life with your spouse-to-be. It’s entirely up to you to decide on the details.

Separating the Couple

The custom of couples spending the night before the wedding apart descends from the tradition of arranged marriages. The families of the couple would make arrangements to marry, often without the input of the couple. It was believed that if a bride and groom saw each other before the wedding day, one or both might be a no-show at the ceremony. There’s a really good chance that you know the person you’re marrying, and you might already be living together. Don’t break your necks trying to avoid seeing each other the day before you say “I do.”

Giving the Bride Away

The custom of the bride being given away by a parent, usually the father, originated with the concept of a woman being the property of a man. A wedding was a business exchange between the bride’s father and future husband. Not only is this patriarchal custom very outdated, but it also might not even be applicable to your situation. Some marriage ceremonies don’t involve brides, and you or your partner might prefer to have a mother or someone else walk you down the aisle.

Saying No to the Dress

While a white wedding gown is an iconic symbol of nuptials, there’s no rule that says you have to wear one. You don’t even have to wear a dress. At the very least, you and your partner should both be comfortable for the marriage ceremony as well as the reception and other events. Marriage celebrations featuring more casual outfits and relaxed attire are becoming more popular, not just for the couple but the wedding party and guests also. It’s your special day, not Fashion Week in Paris, New York, or Milan.

Abandoning Traditions Rooted in Superstition

Marriage traditions such as “something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue” are rooted in outdated superstitions. These gifts for a bride were thought to ward away evil spirits and boost fertility for the sake of the marriage. Similarly, the bouquet and garter tosses originated in superstition. People once believed that the bride was full of good luck, and a portion of her bouquet and outfit would transfer that luck to the recipients in being the next to get married. Of course, these traditions can be harmless fun, but even spiritually minded celebrants may not like the idea of introducing superstition to their nuptials.

Changing The Traditions and Ditching The Cake

Similar to a white gown, a white, multi-tiered cake is also symbolic of marriage celebrations. In today’s world where food allergies and sustainable sourcing are important to celebrants and guests, feel free to deviate from this particular custom. You can do other types of desserts such as small cakes, pastries, cookies, and pies that are pre-portioned for individual servings. Ingredients such as sugar, dairy, and gluten may not be tolerated well by participants. You can even ditch the cake altogether.  

Marriage ceremonies are intended to be pleasant occasions, especially for the soon-to-be newlyweds. It’s up to you and your partner to create an event that you’ll recall fondly for years to come. While wedding traditions may be fun and innocent, some of them have outdated roots. Additionally, they can also be an unintended source of stress if you have to go to extra trouble to keep the customs. 

Wedding Traditions You Can Ditch

There are quite a few wedding traditions which are shared around the world. Solemnizing the union of a couple is a time-honored celebration that has been influenced by many customs and traditions. From the white wedding gown to a multi-tiered cake, there are a number of practices that have endured across geographic boundaries, cultures, and generations. Despite the persistence of these customs, it’s important to remember that your wedding day is the beginning of your life with your spouse-to-be. It’s entirely up to you to decide on the details.

Separating the Couple

The custom of couples spending the night before the wedding apart descends from the tradition of arranged marriages. The families of the couple would make arrangements to marry, often without the input of the couple. It was believed that if a bride and groom saw each other before the wedding day, one or both might be a no-show at the ceremony. There’s a really good chance that you know the person you’re marrying, and you might already be living together. Don’t break your necks trying to avoid seeing each other the day before you say “I do.”

Giving the Bride Away

The custom of the bride being given away by a parent, usually the father, originated with the concept of a woman being the property of a man. A wedding was a business exchange between the bride’s father and future husband. Not only is this patriarchal custom very outdated, but it also might not even be applicable to your situation. Some marriage ceremonies don’t involve brides, and you or your partner might prefer to have a mother or someone else walk you down the aisle.

Saying No to the Dress

While a white wedding gown is an iconic symbol of nuptials, there’s no rule that says you have to wear one. You don’t even have to wear a dress. At the very least, you and your partner should both be comfortable for the marriage ceremony as well as the reception and other events. Marriage celebrations featuring more casual outfits and relaxed attire are becoming more popular, not just for the couple but the wedding party and guests also. It’s your special day, not Fashion Week in Paris, New York, or Milan.

Abandoning Traditions Rooted in Superstition

Marriage traditions such as “something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue” are rooted in outdated superstitions. These gifts for a bride were thought to ward away evil spirits and boost fertility for the sake of the marriage. Similarly, the bouquet and garter tosses originated in superstition. People once believed that the bride was full of good luck, and a portion of her bouquet and outfit would transfer that luck to the recipients in being the next to get married. Of course, these traditions can be harmless fun, but even spiritually minded celebrants may not like the idea of introducing superstition to their nuptials.

Changing The Traditions and Ditching The Cake

Similar to a white gown, a white, multi-tiered cake is also symbolic of marriage celebrations. In today’s world where food allergies and sustainable sourcing are important to celebrants and guests, feel free to deviate from this particular custom. You can do other types of desserts such as small cakes, pastries, cookies, and pies that are pre-portioned for individual servings. Ingredients such as sugar, dairy, and gluten may not be tolerated well by participants. You can even ditch the cake altogether.  

Marriage ceremonies are intended to be pleasant occasions, especially for the soon-to-be newlyweds. It’s up to you and your partner to create an event that you’ll recall fondly for years to come. While wedding traditions may be fun and innocent, some of them have outdated roots. Additionally, they can also be an unintended source of stress if you have to go to extra trouble to keep the customs. 

Comments are closed.

Comments are closed.