Some modern couples are forgoing the typical wedding planning and turning to the spectacular to make their wedding ceremony truly an event to remember. Here, we’ve compiled a list of old wedding traditions and new twists that couples are incorporating into their big day.
1. Old Tradition: Matching wedding parties Cookie-cutter dresses matching to a tee.
New Twist: Bridesmaid dresses of varying styles Your friends have their own unique personalities, so why treat them like clones when it comes to their wedding attire? Today’s brides are encouraging their bridesmaids to choose their own individual dresses to complement their body type. To pull together a cohesive look for your wedding party, try dress styles in fabric of the same color or color family.
2. Old Tradition: Wedding ceremony costs covered by the bride’s parents Racking up exorbitant wedding bills? Just pass them along to good old mom and dad.
New Twist: Footing the bill yourselves Statistics show that the age of most couples planning weddings is 27 and older, which means many of them have established careers and can afford to take on much of the expenses themselves. However, parents are still contributing to wedding costs in some ways, but not in totality as years past. If you wish to have parents contribute to wedding costs, it’s important to sit down with both families early in the wedding planning process so that the wedding ceremony budget can be settled.

3. Tradition: Maid-of-honor/best man Your most-trusted gal pal and beloved buddy are the only ones you want to stand by your side on the big day.
Twist: Unisex roles Wedding parties today don’t have to be segregated by gender. A groom may have his sister stand in as the best man or the bride’s favorite male friend may be part of her wedding party.
4. Tradition: Conventional first dance At Last was the same song your parents danced to at their wedding…30 years ago.
New Twist: Choreographed, show-stopping dance numbers If waltzing to a full-piece orchestra isn’t your idea of great reception entertainment then spice up your first dance with something more along the lines of your personality. With increased popularity in dance-focused television shows, couples are finding motivation to recreate prize-winning moves on the dance floor during their wedding reception.

Remember, when planning your wedding ceremony it’s all about you. There’s no law saying you have to follow every wedding tradition to the letter. If something isn’t your style, feel free to change it up for something that best suits the mood of your big day.