Wedding Wednesdays: 5 Wedding Traditions You Should Break

From something borrowed to something blue and everything in between, there are certain wedding traditions that many people assume they have to include in their own special day. Going into 2018, that's definitely not the case! There’s always room to bend the rules a little bit. To mix things up, here are five new wedding traditions that will make your big day that much more unique and personal!

1. Have a friend officiate your big day

While a church official or other authority figure traditionally conducts weddings, nowadays many couples are opting to have a friend or family member marry them. Your wedding day can feel that much more intimate with someone you know officiating your vows. Think of it as a way of honoring one of your loved ones or including someone special in your big day.

2. Skip the cake and serve your favorite dessert

Choosing a wedding cake is as much a part of your special day as picking out your wedding dress. But having a multi-tiered, white frosted cake isn’t for everyone, especially if your sweet tooth is pointing to another favorite dessert. For a couple like us that prefer creme brulee, serving your favorite dessert adds a personal touch and still keeps the traditional dessert element involved.

3. Dress your bridal party in white

It seems that the cardinal rule when it comes to weddings is that the bride is the only one that wears white. We're here to tell you that rules were made to be broken! Recently we’ve been seeing bridesmaids wearing white or ivory alongside the bride-to-be, and it looks gorgeous! Switch up the silhouettes or add a splash of texture like beading or lace to differentiate the bridesmaids dresses from the bride’s for the ultimate look.

4. Mix up the ceremony seating

Traditionally wedding guests sit in rows on either side of the aisle. Instead of setting up chairs in rows that face the altar, set them up in a semicircle. That way everyone has a better view of you and your partner as you tie the knot. Setting your chairs up this way will give your ceremony a more intimate feeling and your guests will feel that much closer.

5. Throw an epic after party

Grand exits are a fun way to have your wedding guests send you and your beau off at the end of the night — think: sparklers or fireworks! Usually that means that the party has come to an end and that your friends and family won’t see you until after your honeymoon. Not everyone is ready to close the party down just yet though! Couples are now inviting their closest friends and family to an after-wedding party to keep the celebration going. Since venues typically have a curfew, consider taking the party home, to the hotel with the highest concentration of your guests or to another nearby location that stays open late.

Bend all the rules as you plan your wedding in 2018 and devour the details of your very own new traditions!