Here comes the bride and she’s not wearing white anymore. The tradition-filled weddings your grandparents (or even your parents) had are a thing of the past. Whoever said you have to walk down the aisle to the Wedding March, anyway? Here are the wedding rules that are made to be broken this year
1. Old rule: The bride wears a long, white gown
Ain't no reason to wear white if you don't want to any more. Images: Pinterest.
White isn’t a necessity anymore and, actually, neither is a gown! The bride can wear anything she darn well wants, from a tea-length dress to a suit or a skirt and top as rocked by Olivia Palermo. The rules are GONE and it’s all about what the bride wants. Wearing white on your wedding day used to signify something specific and, let’s be honest, most people have been breaking THAT rule for decades.
2. OLD RULE: Bride’s parents pay for the wedding
Are you still living in the 1980s? This tradition is so over it’s not funny. If parents want to donate money towards the big day, that’s great! But the burden is no longer placed solely on the bride’s side. In fact, most couples these days are paying for the wedding themselves.
3. OLD RULE: Photos happen after the ceremony
The ceremony ends, everyone claps and the bridal party disappears for an hour or so, leaving the guests to awkwardly mill around at cocktail hour until the reception kicks off. Why take photos after the ceremony when you could take them before?
We know, superstition, blah, blah, blah. But these days, many couples like to see each other for the first time in private and have the moment captured to cherish forever. Having photos before the ceremony means you look fresh, you can get to cocktail hour sooner and you don’t need to rush the pics so your guests aren’t waiting.
4. Old rule: Everyone carries a live floral bouquet
Try paper butterflies, antique brooches or succulents for your bouquet. Image: Pinterest
Flowers are gorgeous but they’re not the be all and end all of a wedding anymore. Brides are opting for all kinds of floral-like accompaniment such as styled clutches, silk bouquets or even a posy made up of antique jewels and brooches.
5. Old rule: Your registry should be things for your new home
Most people are shacking up WAY before they say “I do”, so chances are they’ve already got a house full of home knick knacks and appliances. And it always feels a bit impersonal to just hand cash over in an envelope.
Why not create a travel registry? Places such as Hitchd, Travel Registry, Honey Fund, or Traveler’s Joy offer your guest the opportunity to put money directly towards different parts of your honeymoon.
6. Old rule: Everyone gets a plus one
Weddings are expensive and it’s pretty annoying to have to give EVERY guest the option of a plus one. At the same time, you don’t want to strand anyone who doesn’t know anyone else at your wedding. A good rule of thumb is to invite the partner if you’ve met them, or if they’ve been together for a while, and allow plus ones for people who won’t really know anyone else at the wedding.
7. Old rule: People should sign a guestbook
Get creative rather than having a book that's just gonna get dusty. Images: Pinterest
Why do you need a signed record of who was at your wedding? You were there, you know who attended! If you want a guestbook kind of trend, get creative! Have cards that guests can fill out with marriage advice for the new Mr and Mrs, or get them to sign a gorgeous piece of wall art commemorating the date.
8. Old rule: You have to have a rehearsal dinner
We bet you don’t even know the real reason why wedding rehearsal dinners were first created. Way back when, couples didn’t live together for ages and only had short engagements, so the dinner was traditionally when the parents-in-law met each other for the first time. And since everyone knows everyone, this is a rule that most people can break, no problem.
9. Old rule: The bridal party sits at a big, long table and guests sit at round tables
There are no rules when it comes to table seating at weddings anymore. Images: Pinterest
Is it just us or does it feel like the bride and groom are holding court from the bridal table? Your nearest and dearest may be up at the table with you but you end up playin Chinese whispers to talk to them. Chuck your normal table plan and throw it out the window: 2016 brides and grooms are choosing any table configuration they want.
Want to sit on a table in the middle of the room, with your family and friends all around you? Sure! Now no one has to wonder why they were stuck in the back corner table, because the focus is on the centre of the room rather than the front. Want long communal dining tables instead of the same-same round ones? Do it!
The point is that rules were made to be broken, baby. It’s 2016, and you can do whatever you darn well please. And that includes sticking with tradition if you want, or throwing caution to the wind and being different.
Brisbane Marriott Hotel
515 Queen Street, Brisbane
(07) 3303 8000
