Upending Wedding Traditions
As an entertainer with over 20 years experience, I have provided the soundtrack for hundreds of weddings through the years. During this time, I have seen so much, from formal to casual, traditional to non-traditional. Every wedding is different, with their own aspects that make each unique.
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What do you think?
Are you dressed in formal attire or more casual?
Do you do a bouquet toss?
Do you do a garter toss?
Does the bride or groom dance with their mother or father?
Cake Cutting… messy or clean?
Certain traditions, like the first-dance, are embraced by couples across the globe, while others, like a processional with non-classical music, are becoming more common each day. Let's focus on a few of the typical wedding traditions: attire, vows, the bouquet/garter, parent dances, and cake cutting.
ATTIRE
At a recent rustic barn wedding, the bride wore a very nice black and white dress, but the groom wore a polo, khaki cargo shorts, and Timberlands. I thought it was amazing and felt that their guests felt the same way. While some guests were dressed in suits, the majority were just as casual as the groom. This is a trend that is on the rise.
On average, 80% of brides still wear white but 63% (up 7% from two years ago) of the grooms decide that a tuxedo is too much and opt for a more casual approach (source).
VOWS
Besides the fun, the best part about weddings is the energy in the room throughout the evening. Although, there are a few points in particular where the energy seems to peak. The first peak is with the vows. Sometimes tear-jerking, the vows are said with passion and everyone listens intently, as the anticipation builds for the rings and the first kiss.
Apparently 39% of couples are creating their own vows these days (source).
BOUQUET/GARTER
Lately, I have seen a lot less of my clients decide to do a bouquet and garter toss. This seems be a trend, as my conversations with other entertainment professionals can attest, some couples are just avoiding these classically traditional moments.
Maybe I just happen across those types of clients, but it looks like it's a 50% toss up according to our source.
PARENT DANCES
The parent dances always seem like an interesting topic because, while some couples omit one or both, practically 75% of my clients only dance about half of the song with their mother or father.
This is common across the industry as 74% of couples (down 9% from two years ago) are doing the parent dances (source).
CAKE CUTTING
Always a perfect picture opportunity, cutting the cake is a fun time for me, because it requires a bit of composure for a partied-out bride and groom. The big question now is - keep it clean and kosher or to get messy and have fun?
I prefer messy and fun for a more memorable moment.
With 82% of couples choosing to do a cake-cutting ceremony, only 37% are including a dessert bar/table (source).
Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.
For the full report of more than 150,000 US brides, grooms, guests and wedding professionals, go to WeddingWire.com.