Skipping outdated wedding traditions

You are probably aware by now that there are a lot of wedding traditions out there. It can be overwhelming, as well as expensive, to try to partake in all of them. This is one reason many modern couples are opting out of some traditions, and replacing others with a more updated version. 

Another reason is that some traditions are simply losing popularity. One study as far back as 2017 revealed that many couples are no longer comfortable doing the bouquet toss the way it’s been done in the past. It can feel a bit outmoded to ask your single friends to line up and compete with each other in scrambling to catch the bouquet as a prize representing the possibility of being the next to marry. This may provide some entertainment for onlookers but it can feel intimidating and even shaming for the ladies in question. Not everyone wants to publicly proclaim their relationship status, or lack thereof, especially at a wedding. The bouquet toss also seems to assume that every single lady is eager to marry as soon as possible.

https://www.theknot.com/content/most-and-least-popular-wedding-traditions

The garter toss is another wedding tradition that appears to be on the way out for many modern couples. While some find it fun, it’s also rife with potentially cringe-worthy moments some would rather avoid. If we’re being honest, it can feel awkward, even embarrassing, for some people to watch the groom duck down under the bride’s dress and fumble around for the garter on her leg. There are endless opportunities for this to be more than a bit mortifying for the bride as well when she looks around the room filled with family and friends of all ages while her new husband is under her skirt. That said, some couples still enjoy this tradition, of course, and everyone has to make their own choice, but many people are becoming more uncomfortable with it and would rather not bring the potential innuendo to their celebration. And, similar to the bouquet toss, the garter toss calls attention to the single men in the room and assumes they want to compete for an intimate piece of the bride’s ensemble. Looked at in this light, it’s easy to see why these two traditions are less popular than they used to be. 

In the end, weddings should reflect the couple, their values and personalities. Often these old traditions are being replaced with more intimate gestures. One example is the bride and groom choosing to mingle and interact more with their guests. We’re not talking about the traditional receiving line where you get a quick hug and 30 seconds with each person, but rather a time where the couple thanks guests and personalizes the experience for everyone