Whether it’s passing on the white dress or wearing multiple dresses, several traditional wedding practices are left behind while new ones are birthed. Our generation has bucked several traditional trends that we used to do…just because. Thankfully, trends like jean tuxedos went extinct based on natural selection, but there are other standards I’ve seen a big shift in….
And I am so here for it all.
Non-White Wedding Dresses for Non-Traditional Brides
If white is not your color, then white is not your color. Try the beautiful colors ranging from pink to black and everything in between. Mandy Moore, Sarah Jessica Parker, Reese Witherspoon, and Keira Knioghtley did not wear the stereotypical white gown on their special day. What does your wedding gown color say about you?
- Pretty in pink with blush and light pink wedding gowns represent flirtatiousness and femininity.
- Beautiful in Blue with light baby blue and navy wedding gowns represent stability, security, and calmness.
- Powerful in Purple with vibrant violet and indigo wedding gowns represents royalty and strength.
- Great in Gray wedding gowns represents maturity, composure, and organization.
- Bold in Black wedding gowns represents power, sophistication, and mystery.
The list is not limited to these colors, brides are wearing red, gold, green, and even orange dresses nowadays. Just please don’t do camo.
The Two Wedding Dress Trend
Not all wedding dresses are made for dancing. It is becoming a growing trend to have a dress for the ceremony and another for the reception. What do you need to keep in mind when having two wedding dresses?
- Create a budget for each dress before entering a bridal shop.
- Plan a time to change into the second dress.
- Consider the shoes that you are wearing for each dress.
- Have the proper undergarments for both dresses.
If two wedding dresses are not for you, consider a convertible dress that offers two different styles.
A Mixed-Gender Wedding Party
Bridal and groom parties traditionally are gender-specific, but couples today are straying away from this. On your special day, you should have the people you want standing by your side regardless of gender. What are additional reasons to consider a mixed-gender wedding party?
- Gain different perspectives on pre-wedding events, bridal party style, and flowers.
- Siblings and best friends of the opposite gender to stand directly by your side.
- Girls can still wear the same dress and guys can still wear the same-colored suit.
- Pre-wedding activities (bachelorette party, bachelor party, and bridal shower) can be open to everyone.
The best guy friend can be the maid-of-honor or “bridesmaid” and a best girl friend can be the best man or the “groomsman.”
Deciding on a Last Name
There's several creative decisions on what to do with a name change. A woman’s choice to keep her maiden name or take her husband’s name varies by individual.
If you are not taking your husband’s last name or hyphenating both of your last names, we I saw some couples creating a new name out of pieces from thier old ones. Technically, getting married comes with a free name change!
All 3 Tosses Modernized: Exit, Bouquet, and Garter
Upon the bride and groom leaving the wedding ceremony, the exit toss consisted of throwing rice in celebration. Rice symbolized both fertility and prosperity. Wedding guests are switching to other alternatives:
- Dried herbs, flowers, leaves
- Biodegradable confetti
- Bubbles
These alternatives create fun and creative photo opportunities...and is it enjoyable for the bride and groom to be pelted with rice?
Some are foregoing the bouquet and garter toss all together. The bouquet toss traditionally was thrown to the single women with the superstitious belief that whoever catches it will be next to marry. On the other hand, the garter toss represented the consummation of marriage and the man that catches it then is supposed to place it on the bachelorette who catches the bouquet.
Let’s just face it: Both the bouquet toss and garter toss are awkward for single guests and family members. It can even be potentially dangerous (Don’t believe me, check Youtube). Here are some replacements:
- Separate flowers from the bouquet and hand out the flowers to your loved ones.
- Set up a bouquet and boutonniere station for wedding guests to make their own personalized flower arrangement.
- Have a special anniversary dance for all the couples and eliminate each couple by the amount of time they have been together. Remaining couple is presented the bouquet.
Consider keeping, omitting, or trying an alternative to these tosses at your future wedding.
Did you find some new traditions you would enjoy implementing at your own wedding? What are some other traditions that should be modernized?
