Are wedding traditions becoming a thing of the past?
Most of us have been to enough weddings to know the format they almost always take, and that’s down to the fact that there are lots of wedding traditions that have been passed down from generation to generation. These long-standing customs have shaped what we’ve come to expect from a wedding, and even have the capacity to inspire superstition, with many couples sticking to them out of a desire for good luck as they start their married lives together.
From the bride wearing ‘something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue’ for good luck, to the tradition of speeches from the groom, father of the bride and Best Man, wedding traditions are, for many, a cherished part of the experience of tying the knot. But they also have a tendency to make weddings a little formulaic, and that’s something that couples are increasingly shying away from in a bid to stand out from the crowd and do things their own way.
While most weddings retain the hallmarks of a traditional wedding, fewer couples tie the knot in a traditional church ceremony these days, which leaves plenty of leeway for creativity in choice of venue and style of wedding. Outdoor weddings are a popular option in the warmer months, while many couples are eschewing a traditional summer wedding in favour of saying ‘I do’ in a winter ceremony.
The finer details of the day don’t need to be dictated by tradition, either. Some brides now wear dresses that aren’t white, for instance, while others choose not to have bridesmaids. Many couples spend the night before the wedding together, and even walk down the aisle together – viewing the idea of a father ‘giving away’ his daughter as archaic – without worrying about whether or not it’s ‘good luck’ to dispense with such traditions.
Of course, it’s your day, so it’s entirely up to you how far you follow wedding customs. There’s plenty of scope for putting a personal touch on the time-honoured traditions if you don’t want to do away with them completely. For example, search for ‘first dance’ videos on YouTube and you’ll find plenty of examples of couples shaking things up with perfectly choreographed dances set to music their guests won’t be expecting.
However you decide to celebrate – whether you’re after a traditional wedding that follows all the age-old customs, or you want to rewrite the rules – we can help you plan the wedding of your dreams here at Southdowns Manor. Call us on 01730 763800 or request a brochure to find out more.
