Wedding season is fast approaching and for some, it's already here!

As a recent bride, I spent a lot of time thinking about what traditions I wanted to keep in my wedding, and what traditions I could do without. Turns out, I was a pretty untraditional bride, and I skipped most of the traditions that have been a part of weddings for years.

Marie Claire magazine seems like they are on the same page as me and they have come out with a list of outdated wedding traditions.  Here they are:

  1. The Bouquet Toss- I've got to agree with this one.  I skipped tossing the bouquet, because I just don't see the point of it...and I remember being that single girl at weddings just standing there watching other single girls fight for a bouquet of flowers that supposedly means they are "next".  Seems silly...
  2. The Garter Retrieval- I agree with this one as well.  Sorry, just wasn't comfortable having my new husband crawl up my dress in front of my grandparents...or anyone else for that matter.  It's an odd tradition and I didn't feel the need to do it.
  3. Bridesmaids- This is a tradition that many brides still hold on to, but you don't have to.  I started out thinking I wanted a bridal party, but you know what?  It was so stressful and ended a friendship in the process, so I decided to not have one, and it was one of the best decisions that I made!  You can have a bridal party if you want to, but it's not mandatory.
  4. The White Dress- Yes!  I totally agree here!  When I got married last summer, I was 31 years old.  I just didn't feel the need to wear white at 31, after I'd been living with my fiance for the past few years...just didn't seem right.  Plus, white, totally NOT flattering on me!  So, I decided on a champagne gold dress for my ceremony and a blush pink one for my reception.
  5. The Father Give-Away- This is a tradition I did keep.  I didn't do it to be traditional, but I did it because I thought it would be nice to walk with my Dad, and it was!  Since I didn't have a bridal party, I wanted all of my closest friends and family to play a special 'part' in my day.  My Dad's 'part' was walking me down the aisle.
  6. The Not-Seeing-Each-Other-Beforehand Thing-  This is another tradition that I decided to keep.  I kept it mostly for the element of surprise.  I tried really hard to look my very best on my wedding day, and I wanted the first time my husband saw me to be walking down the aisle and I wanted it to be captured on film and in photographs.
  7. The Cake Smashing-  Absolutely not!  There was NO way I was spending tons o' cash on hair/makeup/dress etc. and then ruining it all by getting cake everywhere?  I don't think so!  Actually, I didn't even have cake, I had cupcakes...which I suppose could have been smashed, but I wouldn't have allowed for it.

So, there you have it!  Remember, it's YOUR day, do what makes you happy, traditional or not, it's about you and your spouse :).  Happy planning!

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