As time goes by, traditions change. This is the case with weddings. Today, many couples are forgoing rituals that people previously considered essential traditions. Some examples of potentially outdated wedding traditions are listed below. Do you agree that they’re now outdated?
Asking for Permission
These days, some prospective grooms are forgoing the tradition of asking the bride’s father for permission. Brides are no longer considered the property of their fathers, so they decide who to marry. Therefore, some consider this one of the outdated wedding traditions.
The Bride’s Family Footing the Bill
Many couples are marrying later in life and footing at least part of the bill for the wedding themselves. This gives them more of a say and lets them plan a more personalized wedding. They can forego any traditions they consider outdated wedding traditions.
Long, White Wedding Dresses
Brides are no longer restricted to wearing long, white wedding dresses. It’s becoming more common for them to wear shorter dresses, off-white or even colored dresses, or pantsuits. Some brides even wear multiple dresses throughout different stages of the event.
Long, White Wedding Veils
These days brides wear a long veil, a short one, some other headpiece, or nothing on their head as they get married.
Bridesmaids and Groomsmen
The tradition of brides having bridesmaids and grooms having groomsmen is changing and becoming outdated. First, some couples now marry without attendants. Second, some brides have both men and women stand up with them during their wedding. The same is true with grooms. The couple might choose a best woman and a man of honor.
Matching Outfits for Bridesmaids
The women in the wedding party need not wear the same dress or color of the dress. Some brides give their ladies a color and let them choose their own dress. Other brides let the women choose from several coordinating dress styles or different colors.
The Father-of-the-Bride Walking Her Down the Aisle
Some couples now decide that the bride’s father walking her down the aisle is one of those outdated wedding traditions. This is because the bride isn’t the property of her father. She doesn’t need him to give her away. She may have her parents walk down the aisle in front of her or choose someone else to walk with her.
Walking Down the Aisle to the Bridal Chorus
Although this song is one of the more common choices for walking down the aisle, some couples are customizing their wedding and choosing a different song. You may have limited choices if you marry in a house of worship. Otherwise, you can opt for the song of your choice.
Exchanging Traditional Vows
Although not all religious ceremonies may allow it, couples are choosing the vows they use during their wedding ceremony. These may be vows they’ve found written somewhere or ones they’ve written themselves. This helps personalize the ceremony.
Not Seeing the Bride Before the Ceremony
It’s easier to take photos before the ceremony in a “first look” instead of leaving all the photos until the end. This helps the happy couple get to their reception a little more quickly and spend more time with their friends and family. The couple can still spend the night apart and have their first looks at each other during the photo shoot rather than the ceremony itself.
A Diamond Engagement Ring
Some brides prefer a colored stone. Brides should get a ring they’ll love since they’ll be wearing it for a long time. There’s no reason an engagement ring has to be a diamond. This is one of those outdated wedding traditions that came about because of the diamond industry’s advertising campaigns.
Having a Wedding Cake
If wedding cakes aren’t your thing, don’t worry. You aren’t alone. Many couples are opting for other dessert alternatives, including pies, cookies, and donuts. Some couples even opt for savory options, such as a “cake” made of wheels of cheese.
Smashing Cake Into Each Other’s Faces
It’s obvious why couples may happily skip this tradition. Who wants to worry about messing up their hair, makeup, or clothes with cake? Couples often do a more restrained version of this tradition or skip it altogether.
Father/Daughter and Mother/Son Dances
Some couples view this as a nice tradition, while others would rather skip it. This situation is more likely when only some of the parents of the couple attend the wedding.
Bouquet and Garter Tosses
Your single friends and family members rarely want to take part in these outdated wedding traditions. Nobody believes that catching one of these items leads to them being the next to get married. Let your guests spend more time socializing and dancing instead. If you don’t want to keep your bouquet, give every single friend one flower from your bouquet. You could also present it to the lady who has the longest-lasting marriage.