Whether they’re planning a dog-friendly wedding or looking to incorporate the beauty of spring into their nuptials, many brides like to stand out, and one sure fire way to get noticed is to break the rules! In this century anything goes, and your wedding will be just as perfect if you follow your instincts rather than blindly following tradition. Keep your nuptials personal and memorable while breaking with outdated traditions and opting for elements that are suited to your tastes.
1. Do Away With Gaudy Bridesmaids Dresses
There’s a reason why bridesmaids dresses tend to end up in a heap on the closet floor following the big event. Many of them aren’t stylish enough to wear later, or they are too formal for the current casual style prevalent on the streets. Break this wedding rule and let your bridesmaids wear a dress they like – they don’t even have to match!
Cocktail options look stylish and sophisticated. Not to mention, your bridesmaids can get their money’s worth by picking a dress that can be worn on multiple occasions. For a more cohesive look, choose a color scheme or length and let them choose a style that fits within the guidelines.
2. Throw Out the Diamond Ring
In 2016, actress Mila Kunis announced that her engagement ring had come from etsy. She reasoned that it’s safer walking around in the world without wearing a piece of jewelry that is worth the same amount of money as a car.
Keep your ring simple, or buck tradition by choosing a wedding ring alternative. Not only will you not have to worry about it getting lost or stolen, you can also save some money for other parts of the ceremony. Simplistic rings are also perfect for people in jobs which require them to frequently remove their ring.
3. Toss Your Formal Dress
If you’re a bride who isn’t interested in opulence, choose a simpler dress. Most dresses tend to be floor length and embellished, but there are dresses these days that will allow you to stay true to yourself without sacrificing wedding style – including dresses that are lighter and more understated.
Less formal dresses are perfect for outdoor ceremonies and more casual indoor locations. You can even look fantastic on your big day and buck tradition with a tea length gown.
4. Break the Rules – Ditch the White Dress
White dresses have been in vogue since the Victorian era, and it’s the first color that pops into mind when thinking “bridal.” But white isn’t for everyone. If you want to stand out, choose a wedding gown in a different color like blush, champagne or even a jewel tone.
The decision to wear a non-traditional dress doesn’t have to limit your options. Non-white gowns are becoming more popular, and many styles are now available in different colors. Choosing a shade other than white stands out among brides, creating a memorable look.
Tossing the white dress also opens the door for your guests to wear white to your wedding without breaking social graces.
5. Put Your Foot Down on Plus Ones
Even when planning a wedding on a budget, costs can quickly spiral out of control, and there is no reason you should have to pay for the food of people you don’t even know. It is courteous to invite the spouses of close friends and family or significant others with whom you have a relationship, but it’s okay to tell your single guests not to bring a plus one.
Not only does it keep the costs down, it also creates a more intimate environment in which everyone in attendance has a relationship with the bride or the groom.
6. Throw Superstition Out the Window
It may be considered bad luck for the groom to see the bride in her gown before she walks down the aisle, but in 2018 there is no good reason to adhere to this rule. If your fiance is stylish and familiar with current wedding trends, you could ask for his opinion before picking out the dress.
You can even bring him to your appointment and bounce ideas off of him. Sure, the big reveal is a special moment, but making planning decisions as a couple can help you set the stage for making joint decisions as a married couple. Keep a little mystery by not letting him see you dolled up in your wedding hair and makeup.
7. Walk Down the Aisle With Whoever You Want
Brides who have a good relationship with dad relish the chance to walk down the aisle with him to meet their husband-to-be. But in 2018, there is no single model for a traditional family unit.
Some brides may be more comfortable walking down the aisle with a step dad, a grandparent, their best friend or even their mom. On your big day, the person who gets the honor of walking you down the aisle should be your choice, and it should be someone with whom you want to share such a special moment.
8. (Don’t) Let Them Eat Cake!
Cutting the cake is another long standing wedding tradition that can always be broken. This tradition is supposed to symbolize unity between the newly married couple, but there are many alternative ways to show unity. Desserts offer the opportunity to get creative and pack flavor into dishes. Spice up your nuptials with different flavored cupcakes, a DIY sundae bar, or a trendy selection of food stations.
9. Throw the Bouquet (Away)
While typical wedding rules assume that the bride and her attendants carry gorgeous arrays of flowers down the aisle, not every bride wants to haul a large bouquet around all day. Beautiful though they may be, flowers can make some brides sneeze, and if you’re getting married outside, you may find yourself with unwanted guests in the form of bees.
Trade the flowers in for a pinwheel, a classic lantern or skip the bouquet altogether. Use elements of your decor to enhance the wedding theme, and your guests won’t even notice that you aren’t carrying flowers.
10. Axe the Wedding Party
Having your closest friends and family around on your big day is a special tradition. When you unintentionally upset a friend by not asking them to be a bridesmaid or groomsman, it causes unnecessary stress and potential hard feelings.
Planning is stressful enough without being in a fight with someone over a perceived snub. Rather than turning your big day into the ultimate squad popularity contest, invite everyone you care about to the wedding, but limit the ceremony to you and your groom. Your friends will be happy for you on your big day without squabbling over who’s in and who’s out.
Since they’re not included in the wedding party, throw a crazy bachelor or bachelorette party with your friends instead!
Got any other wedding rules or traditions you’d like to break? Let us know in the comments! Also, don’t forget to check out our Facebook and Pinterest pages for a daily dose of wedding pictures and ideas.
This article was written by WeddingDresses contributing writer, Kat W. Jackson.
