Weddings today are designed to celebrate the unique characteristics of the couple exchanging vows and to showcase their personalities. Gone are the days when parents sat and outlined the wedding plans to the bride and groom to be. With this evolution has come the sentiment €Out with the old and in with the new.€ This overall is a great movement towards a more personalized and intimate affair for the bride and groom. However, not all traditions should be tossed out with the past. Some should stand the test of time because of the memories they create. Of course, at the end of the day, it is and should be completely up to the couple to decide what traditions stay and which go. However, here at Occasions In Print, we have six traditions we believe should not be dismissed and one new idea that should be added as a standing tradition.
1.The groom should not see the bride before she walks down the aisle. Now, at first glance this may seem extremely old fashion and full of superstition. Keeping this as part of the wedding plan has nothing to do with superstition. If the bride and groom do decide to see each other or because of logistics don’t have a choice, their marriage is not doomed. Waiting to see each other is more about capturing the moment. The first moment the groom sets eyes on his bride is pure heaven to witness. And it is pure heaven for the bride and groom as well. Best of all, this moment is captured with pictures and video. Don’t give it up because it seems too traditional. On the contrary, it is timeless.
2.Exchanging of the Rings. There is a movement that says a man doesn’t have to wear a wedding ring if he doesn’t want to wear one. It is an untouchable tradition that the woman wears a ring, so why is the man wearing a ring now up for negotiation? The decision as to whether or not the man should wear one should of course, be between the couple. However, ultimately, it should be up to the bride if she wants her soon to be husband to wear the golden band everyday. If it isn’t something that is important to her then so be it. But, if it is important then the man should wear it as a symbol of his marriage.
3.Walking down the aisle. While some traditions may be silly and not at all relevant for today, the bride walking down the aisle is a beautiful part of the wedding ceremony that should be upheld. This is the moment that all guest’s and the groom’s eyes fall upon the bride as she descends towards the group. Most likely, her eyes won’t stray far from her husband-to-be and her radiance and love for him will be seen by all. And let’s not kid ourselves, it is also a great opportunity for everyone to look at the gorgeous wedding dress for the first time!
4.Formal Wedding Pictures. Wedding Photography today is often referred to as Wedding Journalism, meaning that the photographer moves about the ceremony and reception capturing moments of life that are not staged or planned. There is beautiful work that comes from this approach. However, don’t give up the formal portraits that bring the families, wedding party and bride and groom together. Having these as part of the wedding history will seal in time those precious family members who were present an will capture the bond of the family.
5.Don’t forget to video. Videography although new in comparison to most wedding traditions, is one component that has been added by couples and should continue to be a key part of the wedding planning. The ability to go back and hear the exchange of vows, the toasts and the first dance is priceless. In fact, if it is matter of choosing between videography and photography, videography captures the actual emotion of the wedding. And, some videographers have the capability of capturing video frames for development as images and pictures.
6.Stick to Invitation Etiquette. In today’s internet driven world, the advent of wedding websites is fun and a great way to showcase the wedding and all the events surrounding the ceremony. However, it is still a personal and intimate affair and wedding invitations should reflect that as the introduction. Eliminating items such as the respond card and reception card and replacing it with a website address and RSVP instructions right on the invitations itself, sends the wrong message about the sophistication of the event. For all times the invitation which was thoughtfully crafted to reflect the love and affection felt between the couple will be trailed by a website address and RSVP instructions. Preserve the wedding invitation for the traditional verse that brings two families together and establishes plans for a beautiful wedding.
Save the Date Cards are on our list to be added as a standing tradition. Considering the mobility of family and friends today, it is essential to give everyone advance notice of the upcoming nuptials. And since the average engagement is between 15 and 18 months, sending the cards out 6 to 9 months prior, is a reasonable part of the wedding planning process.
