8 Wedding Traditions You Might Actually Want To Hold On To

These days, many couples are offering a fun array of different desserts instead of the traditional cake. While we’re all about options when it comes to dessert, there’s something about a three-tiered cake we just can’t resist. Plus, cutting the cake is one of the most iconic moments of a reception and makes for great photos! For a fun twist on this tradition, pick your favorite flavor (pumpkin, anyone?) or find a cake topper that represents your personality as a couple!

We can’t blame you for being tempted by all the blush wedding dresses out there, but the white wedding dress is a classic for a reason. For starters, it will NEVER go out of style, which means you’ll probably still love the dress you choose ten years from now. Plus, when else can you rock a white ball gown?

Lots of brides are choosing to forgo the traditional long, white veil, choosing to rock flower halos, fascinators, and tiaras instead. But a veil can really help round out your bridal look. The good news is that you can still add your own personal touch by picking a style and length that feels like you. A Cathedral veil is oh-so-stunning and lends a timeless elegance to your look while a fingertip veil with a sparkle edge is a little more modern. Skip the blusher for a no-fuss vibe.

Walking down the aisle to a modern song may add a touch of your personality to the ceremony, but we love the classic Bridal March just as much. It sends a clear signal that the event is about to start, and really gets people in the wedding mood. To make this traditional music more personal, have a string quartet come up with a sweet arrangement or ask your musically inclined cousin to play it on the piano!

This is one portion of the wedding that more and more brides are choosing to skip given some of the awkwardness that’s often associated with it. We definitely understand that you may feel uncomfortable with your dad looking on as your beau put his head up your dress, but this tradition can be really fun if done right. Keep things lighthearted (rather than raunchy) by playing a “safer” song during the garter toss (think “My Love” by Justin Timberlake, NOT Marvin Gaye’s “Lets Get It On”) and find a way to make it easy for your groom to get to the garter…quickly. Don’t want to give up your beautiful bouquet? Ask your florist to make a special arrangement for you to toss.

Photo by Thomas AE on Unsplash

It seems like a lot of celebrities are hopping on the tattoo trend bandwagon these days (we’re looking at you, Dax Shepard and Behati Prinsloo), but a wedding ring just can’t be beat. We love the symbolism that a band carries, not just of your commitment to each other, but of everlasting love. Exchanging rings at your ceremony is such a sweet nod to the past while helping mark the beginning of your forever.

The “First Look” is catching on like wildfire these days. Couples love this new tradition because it’s intimate and allows them to actually enjoy their cocktail hour. But there’s something so romantic about having your love catch his or her first glimpse of your as you walk down the aisle. Have your photographers capture your partner’s face when he/she first sees you just in case you aren’t able to see it. If logistics won’t let you wait until the ceremony to see your partner, a first look is a good option. Whether you actually see each other or just hold hands around a door while your photographer snaps some shots of the two of you, this is a great way to get some photos in before the ceremony!

Many couples are choosing to go on a mini-moon or to skip the honeymoon altogether for both financial and scheduling reasons, but the honeymoon is a tradition that shouldn’t be ignored. Hey, you’ve spent all year planning a great party to celebrate with your friends and family…you deserve a little time off! If you can’t afford to take two weeks to travel to Portugal or Paris, consider some place closer to home. Live on the east coast? Go camping in Seattle for a few weeks. Never been on a road trip? See the country from the comfort of your own car. The options are endless, but make sure you celebrate your newlywed status!

Photo by Ibrahim Asad from Pexels

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