Right now, nontraditional weddings are in the spotlight. Imagine a world where you have no expectations of what your wedding day “should” be. You have complete freedom to create the day of your dreams with no rules or traditions you’re expected to follow. What does that look like? The pressure to create the day of someone else’s dreams is over. Does it feel like the stress is lifted off your shoulders?
With weddings adapting and changing around COVID-19, family and friends are more accepting than ever of breaking traditions. Let’s be real, you don’t have to follow any traditions at all, but here are some common ones it’s easy to forget you can pass on.
- The white dress
- Diamond rings
- Wedding parties
- Bachelor/ette parties
- The head table
- Garter and bouquet tosses
- Having a grand exit at the very end of the night
The white dress
White wedding dresses have a long history, but the traditional white dress doesn’t suit everyone. Maybe white isn’t your color, or it’s just not what you envision. You usually only get to throw one party this big, so if your dream gown is black, or green, or if your dream gown isn’t even a gown at all (talking to you, dreamy pantsuits), go. for. it. (Our friends over at Strike Bridal Bar in Milwaukee are the royalty of nontraditional attire if you’re looking to try something on!)
Strike Bridal Bar in Milwaukee offers nontraditional wedding dress and jumpsuit options
Diamond rings
From a young age, I was told to be persistent about skipping the diamond and saving that money for a home down payment instead. It’s not just about the money, either. The diamond industry isn’t known for being a good one. You can replace the diamond with an alternative, such as moissanite or cubic zirconia, or even a colored stone like Allie’s. If you want to take it a step further, skip the center stone altogether or even skip the whole thing, band included. (Would you ever consider getting a wedding tattoo?)
Wedding parties
While it can mean a ton to have your closest friends standing by your side, it can also add more stress to your day. It can be hard to choose who to include without hurting anyone’s feelings, and if you’re introverted, it can be exhausting to have 10+ people with you while you’re getting ready. If you don’t want the stress, you can skip the wedding party altogether. Or, you can go a different nontraditional route with your wedding party by having honorary guests who sit in the audience instead.
This couple had a nontraditional ceremony without any bridesmaids or groomsmen
Bachelor/ette parties
Like many couples, the two of us share the same circle of friends. Because of that, the traditional idea behind separate pre-wedding parties has never felt quite right. Imagine doing something fun as a big group! Instead of throwing separate celebrations, bring everyone together for an incredible engagement party. Grab brunch, go on vacation, or, while we’re still social distancing for the next few months, throw a distanced bonfire in the backyard or at a campground.
The head table
The most common head table is putting your whole wedding party along with the newlyweds on a big display. Another popular option is a sweetheart table for just you and your partner, and while that can be romantic, it still may feel like a fish in a fishbowl to you. If neither of those sound like your thing, consider big long tables where your wedding party’s dates can join along with your closest family and friends. Having people sit across from you gives a much more intimate feel to your day. Put yourself right in the crowd instead of in front of it and suddenly you have even more time to chat with people you love.
A couple sits with their guests at this wedding with a nontraditional seating arrangement
Garter and bouquet tosses
This is one tradition we see dying the quickest. Wedding receptions have evolved into much more than just drunken dancing, and with that, comes new ways to entertain your guests (that don’t make your grandparents queasy). You could have a live painter painting guests portraits, you could have a comedian entertaining the crowd, or you could organize a dance-off. We’ve even heard of people having a tattoo artist around for the afternoon! The ideas are endless.
Having a grand exit at the very end of the night
So many people imagine a great getaway at the end of their wedding with the crowd cheering them on, but in reality, by the time the newlyweds are leaving the party, many guests have already left and everyone is so tired. All of this being said, you can absolutely still have an energized escape with a non-traditional twist. Instead of having it at the very end of the night, have it earlier! After you walk down the aisle as a newly-married pair, have the crowd line up, throw biodegradable confetti, and jump into your fancy car to head to your reception. Your photographer and videographer will still be there to capture the moment and your family and friends will still be awake.
