Design by William Parkinson Events

Bouquet/Garter Toss

For couples looking for uninterrupted dancing time, the bouquet/garter toss may be something to forgo. This tradition usually winds up being more of a “we-feel-like-we-should-do-this” formality than something that the bride and groom are actually invested in. If you wouldn’t miss the toss at all, skip it!

Tiered Wedding Cake

No one on this planet loves cake more than I do. But even dessert-junkies like myself can find alternatives that allow you to spice things up a bit. Consider a sweetheart cake for the two of you to cut into and save, accompanied by a dessert of an entirely different nature, such as a sundae bar, venetian table, cookie bar, chocolate fountain, etc. This is where you can really put your personal touch on the menu!
(I’ve also had brides completely skip the cake cutting altogether, but I’m not entirely sure if the wedding world is ready for that elimination yet….)

Even Bridal Parties

Gone are the days when one groomsmen needed to be evenly paired up with one bridesmaid. If your hubby has 10 groomsmen and you have 4 bridesmaids, you can still make it work! Ceremony recessionals and reception introductions can always be customized. While I am undeniably a fan of symmetry at the altar, I encourage you to choose your bridal party members based off of who you really want to be an important part of your big day. Don’t feel the need to cut down or bulk up to match your partner’s number.

Signing Book

While I don’t see this too frequently anymore, the idea of a standard signature guest book still seems to linger. The guest book is another opportunity to get creative and show your guests a good time. Some of my all-time favorites include Polaroid selfies, calendar guest books (where guests sign their name on their birthday), and video messages that can be recorded via photo booths with video capability.

Cocktail Hour Photos

I encourage my brides to enjoy their cocktail hour as much as possible. Sometimes this means coordinating a first look with the photographer and getting as many photos taken ahead of time as possible. Other times it means emphasizing to your photographer and more importantly, your family members, that the photo session at the beginning of cocktail hour needs to be quick. Provide them with a meeting location ahead of time and designate a handful of bridal party members (or your wedding coordinator) to catch any stray uncles that may have headed straight to the open bar.

In the end, it’s your day—make it your own! If eliminating some of these trends will make for a happier Mr. & Mrs., it’s a no brainer. But if any of these traditions are vital to the success of your wedding day in your eyes, you should honor them. Before you begin your planning, take some time to sit down with your fiance and determine what aspects of the big day are the most important to you. This will help you weed out the grueling formalities from the ones that matter the most!