By Hana Frenette
Most weddings consist of traditions and practices that date back hundreds of years. These rules have greatly evolved past their original meaning and have simply become part of the formula we’ve come to recognize as a “typical wedding.” Today, more and more couples are taking the opportunity to curate their wedding day to their specific tastes and wants, throwing out old elements that don’t hold any significance to them. At its core, a wedding is a genuine celebration of true love- therefore anything you don’t fully love the idea of is fair game to ditch. It’s 2017– forget the uncomfortable garter toss or the need to have something blue– and do it your way, whatever way that may be. Here are 5 rules we think it’s perfectly fine to say “I Don’t” to:
1. Having your father give you away. While many brides choose to walk down the aisle with their father or stepfather, more women are beginning to choose a different option for the “giving away” tradition. Some choose to walk with both their mom and dad, an aunt, best friend or a sibling they’re close with– others choose to escort themselves down the aisle on their special day
2.Wearing a white dress. What once seemed like a non-negotiable wedding staple is now merely a suggestion. Wear white if you like– but don’t forget about the world of colorful options out there. Don light pink, cream, yellow, sequins, gold, floral patterns and any other color, without fearing for the outdated “purity” discussion about your choice of a non-white gown.
3.The bride’s parent’s footing the entire bill. When people married at the age of 18, or even as young as 16, it made sense that the bride’s parents would be pay for the entire wedding. If you’re living at home and just barely a legal adult, chances are you aren’t in financial space to cover the cost of a large formal event. These days couples are waiting until their late 20s and early 30s to get married, which means they’ve been living on their own, paying their owns bills and likely living in their own home or apartment for years. Many couples are opting to pay for a portion of their wedding themselves, or splitting the bill between both the bride and groom’s families to lessen the burden on just one household.
4. Changing your last name. In middle school, girls across the country doodled their first name along with the last name of the boy they had a crush on, never questioning the idea of whether or not they’d take on a new name. Today with twitter handles, degrees, and bylines, more women are choosing to keep their maiden names and the identity those names bring along with them. A number of brides opt for the hyphenated name, merging their past and future namesakes, while others continue using the name they’ve always known.
5. A diamond ring. Brides now have more options available to them than ever before when it comes to picking a ring. Do a quick Pinterest search for engagement rings and you’ll likely see a plethora of colorful stones and shapes pop up. Sapphires, moonstones, opals, and emeralds are very popular right now, and many brides are choosing one of the bold stones with intricate and unique accents. Another plus to choosing a non-traditional ring is the price. Gemstones on average cost about half as much as their diamond predecessor.