Tradition plays a huge role in British weddings. Whether you’re a firm believer in the classics or not, following simple rules like wearing white and not spending the night before with your partner will see you join the pack.
Following wedding traditions is a conscious choice that many engaged couples make when planning their wedding celebrations. Research found that 53% of Brits followed as many as they could to ensure the best luck on their big days.
But what would your wedding day look like if you did away with tradition completely?
Your wedding would be a riot of colour
Tradition even influences the colour scheme of your wedding day. Historically, wedding décor would be restricted to a combination of just two colours, with noble families choosing specific colours to represent their houses and heritage.
While modern couples have greater rein over their colour choices, the vast majority still stick to the ‘two colour max’ rule.
Choosing a palette with more than two shades is a great way to rebel against the traditional restrictions. In fact, go as colourful as possible with your scheme for maximum impact!
Gender wouldn’t be a factor in your wedding party
Traditionally, the bride and groom’s respective wedding parties would be dominated by a strict female-and male-only policy.
Even if the bride’s best friend is a man, they’d traditionally join the ranks of the groomsmen, and it’s been this way for some time.
Instead of a maid of honour, have ‘men of honour’, or swap the best man for your ‘best people’ for a personal, modern wedding.
The bridesmaids’ dresses would be as individual as the bridal gown
This modern-day alternative is increasing in popularity, with many brides and grooms choosing to dress their bridesmaids and groomsmen in different styles or shades.
Mismatched bridesmaid dresses aren’t just about going against tradition, as Brides explains:
“Bridesmaid style has come a long way. Gone are the days of everyone wearing the same dress. Today, brides are mixing it up with mismatched bridesmaid dresses, creating truly unique ensembles featuring gorgeous dresses with different styles, fabrics, hemlines, and colours.
The trend allows you to highlight each individual woman and ensure she’s wearing a dress that makes her feel great.”
The groom would see the bride (even her dress)
Rebelling against this wedding tradition may be a step too far for many. Not seeing each other the night before and keeping your wedding attire a surprise are after all particularly common.
Following both traditions is a sure-fire way to add extra excitement, romance, and surprise to the wedding day.
Spending the morning together is more practical, and so is the couple shopping for that all-important wedding attire. The bride helping the groom shop will ensure that all-important coordination.
While the bride asking for her soon-to-be hubby’s help to find the dress of her dreams can provide a confidence boost as for many their partner is the person who knows them best.
There wouldn’t be a flower in sight
Floral arrangements, whether they’re decorating the aisle of your ceremony venue or used in your bouquets and buttonholes, are beautiful additions to weddings of all sizes and of all schemes. But taking the modern approach can garner some equally stunning results.
The bridal bouquet, in particular, has undergone a makeover in recent years, with paper, feathers, buttons, beads, fabric, wood, pearls, and jewels just some of the alternative materials brides are experimenting with.
Bridal bags, arm garlands, corsages, wreaths, handheld circlets and even wands have also been spotted on the wedding scene as brilliant floral bouquet substitutes.
