Tips for Choosing Wedding Traditions to Keep, Break, or Update
Weddings–and all things surrounding marriages–are filled with traditions. Weddings follow a standard flow from the proposal to the bachelor and bachelorette parties to the bridal shower, rehearsal dinner, ceremony, and beyond. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t update your wedding to include everything you want and nothing you don’t. When it comes to wedding traditions, there are no right or wrong answers. It all depends on what you want to experience on your most special day. So, to help you decide what that is, here are tips for choosing the right wedding traditions for you!
What are Wedding Traditions?
Wedding traditions are customs or practices that have been passed down through generations. They can be quite diverse and are heavily influenced by culture, religion, and country. For instance, while a bride wearing a white dress and a couple exchanging rings might be common in Western weddings, you might see a bride adorned with henna on her hands and feet at an Indian wedding. From the lively “Sangeet” ceremony in Indian weddings to the “San-san-kudo” sake-sharing tradition in Japanese weddings, these wedding day traditions can add a unique touch to the celebration of love and commitment.
Where Did Wedding Traditions Originate?
Interestingly, many wedding traditions incorporated into celebrations today originated when weddings were more of a business transaction than a statement of love. For example, when a man proposed and put a ring on it, it was a sign of ownership back in the day. Now, it is a sign of commitment. Another example is not seeing each other before the wedding. Back in the day, when arranged marriages were the norm, families didn’t want the bride and groom to see each other in case they didn’t like what they saw. Now, it’s considered “bad luck,” although even that is sometimes considered one of the outdated wedding traditions these days.
Unique Unity Ceremony Ideas and Traditions
While you’re probably familiar with the “big-ticket” wedding day traditions like the processional down the aisle, exchanging vows and rings, and being pronounced as a married couple for the first time, there are also more intricate wedding traditions you can include. Here are some unique unity ceremony ideas you can incorporate into your wedding:
Lighting a Candle: The couple each take a small candle and light a larger candle together.
Pouring Sand: The couple each take a container of different colored sand and pour the sand into a larger glass container, blending the colors.
Tying Hands in a Knot: The couple holds hands, and their hands are tied together with a cord or ribbon.
Blending Water: The couple each take a cup of different colored water and pour the water into a larger glass container, mixing the colors.
Blending Whiskey: The couple each take a different type of unaged whiskey and pour it into a small barrel for the whiskey to blend and age together.
Planting a Tree: A potted plant or tree is placed at the altar with two buckets of dirt on either side and a watering can. The couple pours their bucket of dirt into the pot and water the tree together.
Taking a Ceremonious Sip or Shot: The couple takes a celebratory sip of wine, a shot of liquor, or a drink of beer together.
Passing the Wedding Bands: The couple’s wedding bands are passed between all guests, as guests bestow the rings with blessings, prayers, and well wishes.
Releasing Doves: Doves symbolize peace, happiness, and prosperity and can be released after you say “I do.”
While some might view these unity ceremony ideas as outdated wedding traditions, others find they add a unique aspect to the ceremony. The choice is up to you!
3 Tips for Choosing Your Wedding Traditions
The great thing about your wedding is that it is yours. That means, regardless of what other people consider popular or outdated wedding traditions, you get to decide which ones (if any) to incorporate in your wedding. Here are tips to help you decide which wedding day traditions to keep, break, or update for the wedding of your dreams.
1. Consider Any Religious or Cultural Traditions
Some wedding traditions hold a religious or cultural history. For example, the unifying act of tying a three-fold rope comes from the Christian Biblical scripture in Ecclesiastes, which talks about the strength of a cord of three strands (meaning the couple and God). In Mexican wedding tradition, when the couple exchanges vows, a “Lazo,” or lasso made of rosary beads and flowers, is draped around the couple’s shoulders, creating a unity symbol. If you hold religious beliefs or want to represent or honor your culture during your wedding ceremony, there are many ways to do this.
2. Get Rid of Any Traditions that Don’t Work for You
If a traditional wedding ceremony doesn’t represent you well, change it up. Everything from your bridesmaids only being girls to walking down the aisle to Wagner’s “Bridal Chorus” can be ditched if you don’t like it. Work with your wedding planner to help you create a truly personalized wedding celebration that feels natural rather than forced.
3. Don’t Be Afraid to Step Out of the Box
Some classic or outdated wedding traditions might not fit you perfectly, but that doesn’t mean you need to toss them aside completely. Instead, find ways to update the tradition so it feels right to you. For example, if you want to wear a big, white ball gown down the aisle, do it. But if you decide you want to wear a bright red pantsuit instead, go for it. Coordinate your wedding attire with your fiancé and wedding party for a cohesive look, but don’t feel confined to the traditional long dress, matchy-matchy vibes.
Here are some more bold, modern ways to revamp wedding traditions:
Walk down the aisle to your favorite song!
Have a first look with your partner before the ceremony!
Let friends and family sit on either side of the aisle!
Walk down the aisle with each other rather than a family member or friend!
Flower girls and ring bearers don’t have to be kids… ask your grandparents to do it for an extra fun time!
Rather than tossing your bouquet, give each of your single friends a flower from the arrangement!
Ditch the classic wedding cake for a donut wall or ice cream bar!
Plan Your Dream Colorado Wedding with Mountainside Events
At Mountainside Events, we aren’t afraid to break a wedding tradition or two. And we know how to seamlessly incorporate the wedding traditions you do want! Our goal is to make your wedding feel like you. So, if you’re ready to plan the Colorado wedding of your dreams, ditching outdated wedding traditions and choosing ones that feel like you, contact us today to learn more about how we can help you do this!