Wedding Traditions: to Honor or to Skip?

When planning a wedding, there are a lot of traditions to consider. Planning a wedding today often means feeling the pressure to honor the wishes of loved ones while still achieving the wedding you've been dreaming of.  A modern bride will likely find herself wondering which traditions to honor and which ones to skip.

Traditionally, bridesmaids have always worn matching dresses - whether flattering or not - matching shoes - no matter how uncomfortable - matching hairstyles, matching jewelry, coordinating everything right down to the color of their nail polish. There was a time when seemingly every ceremony was held in a church, with standard readings and traditional vows. Until recently,  it was bad luck for the groom to see his bride before the wedding.

Weddings are becoming more personal while still honoring age-old traditions. More frequently, bridesmaids wear dresses of similar style or color palette of the Brides choosing, and shoes they feel comfortable in rather than footwear dictated by the bride. Now couples are personalizing their ceremonies at unique, and often more intimate, locations, writing their own vows and selecting meaningful readings.Some couples choose to do a sneak-peak before walking down the aisle for a memorable photo opportunity.

So when it comes to weddings, should traditions be honored just for traditions sake?

The good news is, it is more and more acceptable for brides and their grooms to overlook what is expected, and instead do what showcases them as a couple.

Make a grand exit amidst a flutter of bubbles or by the light of sparklers rather than under the old fashioned shower of rice. Forgo the stuffy, formal bridal party portraits for more fun, relaxes shots. In other words, let your wedding be a reflection of you and your future husband.