Which Wedding Traditions to Keep, Which to Drop

While weddings come with a host of traditions and expectations, it doesn’t mean you have to embrace everything. It’s your special day, after all, and you should plan it the way you want to remember it. So, whatever decorum may dictate, feel free to run wild or stick with the script – the choice is yours.

Wedding traditions to consider shaking up, and a few to keep

The diamond ring

Sure, diamonds are a girl’s best friend, but this is a relatively new development. Up until the 1930s, a diamond engagement ring was not common practice. We can chalk up the ensuing diamond craze to some crafty marketing by a New York ad agency and a British diamond monopoly. Now we have De Beers to thank for the slogan, “a diamond is forever.” But if it’s not you, try something else — emeralds, rubies, topaz, pearls. Make it yours, and it will be forever.

Something old, new, borrowed, and blue

Some may say this is a wedding staple, but don’t feel pressured to meet all the requirements. Instead, if you can’t, or don’t want to, tick all the boxes, perhaps choose one that has meaning to you. Incorporating something old, for example, can remind you of a family member or special family history.

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First dance

This is a sweet wedding tradition to begin the festivities, but why not make a show out of it? You don’t have to shuffle around for a few minutes while all eyes are on you. If you love dancing (or want something choreographed), in the months (or weeks) leading up to your wedding, attend ballroom classes with your partner. You can even have someone choreograph a dance for you. Better yet, get your wedding party involved. It will be the highlight of the evening.

Matching bridesmaids dresses

Bridesmaids’ dresses can have a reputation for being an ill-fitting, once-in-a-lifetime, expensive purchase. Give your girls some freedom, whether by letting them choose the style or color, so that they can rock this dress on another occasion, feel great about wearing it, and allow their creativity and personal style to come through.

Gift registry - fine china

Unless you plan on throwing elaborate dinner parties every week, you may not need to request china on your gift registry. Think about things you’ll actually need to establish your new home and go from there. You’ll be assured of receiving things that will be useful to you, and your guests will feel great knowing they have gifted you something that won’t hide in your closet for the next 50 years.

UP NEXT: Four wedding superstitions you can ignore.