Considering a non-traditional route for your wedding? I admire couples who make both their ceremony and reception their own and push the boundaries of tradition adding their own special twist. Today I’m sharing ten old-school traditions with a fresh approach.
Tossing a bouquet
Instead of tossing a bouquet, consider hosting an anniversary dance and giving a bouquet to the longest married couple in attendance. The DJ will call all married couples to the dance floor. Over one song, the DJ will ask couples to exit the dance floor while working in year increments until the longest married couple is left on the dance floor. It’s a sweet and unexpected way to pass along the bride’s bouquet. If you don’t want to gift the actual bridal bouquet, have your florist create a smaller version to gift.
Photo by Julianne Brasher Photography
Garter toss
If the thought of a traditional garter toss makes you blush, surprise your younger guests with a teddy bear or candy throw instead!
Bridal veil
A bridal veil represents chastity and is a formal gesture at a conservative wedding. But on the other hand, it’s not poor etiquette to skip wearing a veil. Consider a birdcage, jewelry or floral hair accessory, or skip a hair accessory all together and focus on a statement jewelry piece. Decide what goes best with your dress, how you would like to wear your hair and what you will feel most comfortable in. Your comfort level will shine through in your photos.
Wedding Party Table
Traditionally the newlyweds and the wedding party sit at one long table front and center. Couples are now choosing to opt out of a head table for various reasons; they want to be able to move around and chat with each guest or they want their bridal party to sit with their significant other, but don’t want a head table for 30 people. You may choose to sit with family, sit with friends or sit at a sweetheart table specially decorated just the two of you. For a truly intimate moment, have your caterer pack a picnic basket and take a few minutes while your guests eat to relax and take a breath.
Cutting the cake
Have cheesecake if you want. Or pie. Or an ice cream cake. If you want to serve something other than traditional cake, you can always order a small 6-inch cake just to cut.
Traditional First Dance
The average song length is 250 seconds; that’s over 4-minutes of swaying back and forth during the first dance. Spice it up a bit and surprise your guests with a salsa or tango! If you’d rather everyone not focus on your “two left feet” for four minutes, have your family and bridal party join you on the dance floor after a minute. Many of your guests will soon join and your first dance will be surrounded by your closest family and friends.
Dramatic exit
Send your guests off in style with fun transportation like a school bus, a double-decker bus or hand painted Crested Butte town shuttle (if you’re getting married in Crested Butte). If you’re getting married near water you could send your guests off via boat.
Photo by Open Your Eyes Gallery
Escort Cards
Add a personalized element to your escort cards and write a note to each person or couple. Your guests have traveled near and far, this gives you the opportunity to express your appreciation and honor them with a little something unexpected.
Not seeing each other before the ceremony
Tradition says it is bad luck for the groom to see the bride in her gown before the ceremony. Many couples are opting to spend the morning of their wedding together and then depart ways to get ready before the ceremony. Or they choose to have a first look for a quiet moment together before the ceremony begins.
Wedding Favors
The cost of wedding favors can add up. I promise, no one is going to miss the pastel M&M’s at their place setting. Often times the favor goes forgotten and is left sitting on the table at the end of the evening. With a delicious meal, drinks and dancing, you’re providing a night that won’t be forgotten.
Bonus
Why not make your own bouquet! You won’t only save money, but if creativity is your outlet, what a great way in add a DYI item to your wedding day. Hop on over here where Isabella shares more about making her own wedding bouquet!