Old-School Rule: Your wedding dress should be white.
The New Twist: It can still be white or ivory, but don’t be afraid to add a pop of color with a sash, cardigan, pair of shoes or piece of jewelry. Truly brave? Champagne, blush and nude dresses are huge right now, adding an understated uniqueness to the ensemble.
Old-School Rule: You have to wear a long white wedding veil.
The New Twist: Don't hide that gorgeous face! Break away from the outdated standard with a chic headband, a fabulous feather fascinator or a few sparkly hair clips. Or you could just leave your hair down with nothing in it at all (you rebel, you!).
Old-School Rule: You can only have two wedding colors.
The New Twist: C'mon, just two? Your palette can have as many (or as few) colors as you want. The trick is to make sure they work together. Think: pink, orange and yellow, or white, turquoise and platinum. Also, some of the prettiest palettes are monochromatic, whether it's a cool white, a deep green or a bold purple.
Old-School Rule: Traditional ceremonies can't be personalized.
The New Twist: Update traditional wedding rituals. For unity candle lightings, add a fresh spin by incorporating some new materials. We know of two chefs who mixed together spices. Or try a lesser-known tradition, like the wine box: Lock a bottle of wine and love letters in a box during the ceremony to be opened on a predetermined anniversary date.
Old-School Rule: You can only walk down the aisle to Wagner's "Bridal Chorus."
The New Twist: Have the DJ play your favorite love song or a Caribbean steel-drum melody. Book a jazz cellist or a two-piece band to play an instrumental version of a rock song that's special to your relationship. Anything from The Beatles to The Shins will do!
Old-School Rule: Ceremony programs are usually formal.
The New Twist: Turn your programs into a playful Mad Lib or a crossword puzzle with clues about your relationship. Guests will love the fun idea -- and they'll appreciate having something to do while they wait for the ceremony to start
Old-School Rule: You shouldn't see each other until the ceremony.
The New Twist: Schedule a "first look" photo shoot (you and your groom meet with just the photographer before the ceremony). This frees up more time after the ceremony so you can actually enjoy your cocktail hour, and it also lets you spend a few precious moments with your soon-to-be spouse before all the wedding craziness sets in. (Trust us; it will!)
Old-School Rule: You should make your exit in a shower of rice.
The New Twist: There are so many more-exciting options, from guests throwing eco-friendly confetti to waving garland wands or ringing bells. You can even create a "tossing table." Set out bowls of confetti, glitter or even air-popped popcorn (hold the butter) or herbs (like lavender) for guests to shower you with. Don't forget a few tossing cones made out of pretty paper for them to fill with their selections.
Old-School Rule: Bridesmaids are female and groomsmen are male.
The New Twist: Don't confine your list of VIPs to your female friends (or his to only guys)! If your best friend in the world happens to be a guy, make him your bridesman, or your groom can ask his good friend to be a groomswoman.
Old-School Rule: Cocktail hour takes place after the ceremony and before the reception.
The New Twist: Get the party started early! While you might not want your guests to hit the hard stuff before you walk down the aisle, you can still set up a table at the ceremony with a few snacks, lemonade, iced tea, juice or even ice water with sliced lemons, limes or cucumber.
Old-School Rule: Your bridesmaids should wear matching dresses.
The New Twist: Let your girls' individual personalities shine by having each one pick a dress that suits her own taste and shape (but perhaps all in the same fabric or color). Or let them personalize their look with accessories like funky jewelry, boleros or patterned tights.
Old-School Rule: Your father should walk you down the aisle.
The New Twist: Having your dad escort you can be a great moment for the two of you, but it's by no means the only option. If you have a closer relative or friend (like a brother or even your mom), it's perfectly acceptable to have that person walk with you. Don't have anyone in mind? You can even make the trip solo or with your soon-to-be spouse. It's a great symbol of starting your life together!
Old-School Rule: Wedding ceremonies take place in church.
The New Twist: If you grew up attending church and have always dreamed of walking down that aisle, skip this and read the next tradition. Otherwise, pick a ceremony venue that's meaningful to the both of you. It can be anywhere, from a park or a backyard to an old theater or a hip city loft downtown.
Old-School Rule: Your guests must be seated on two sides.
The New Twist: There's more than one way to design a ceremony setup. If you have the option, consider keeping everyone together in a nontraditional seating arrangement, like a circle around the altar.
Old-School Rule: You need one flower girl and one ring bearer.
The New Twist: While you don't actually need either one, you can have as many or as few child attendants as you'd like. You could try switching things up by having "flower boys" or a female ring bearer. Even your beloved pooch can play a starring role with the ring (or a fake one) tied around its neck.
Old-School Rule: Guests sit on chairs or in pews.
The New Twist: Choose ceremony seating that reflects the style of your wedding. Hay bales covered in soft, colorful quilts suit a rustic wedding, whereas a few chic couches will fit in perfectly at a formal wedding.
Old-School Rule: An altar is an altar.
The New Twist: Your guests are going to be staring at it for the entire ceremony. Shouldn't you at least take the time to make it pretty? But jazzing up the altar space doesn't have to mean two tall floral arrangements. Think: banners, oversize paper flower garlands or even a couple of upright surfboards to define the space.
Old-School Rule: Your accessories should be understated.
The New Twist: Make a statement. Punch up your wedding ensemble with boldly colored shoes, statement necklaces or a cute bolero. Worried they'll distract from your gown? Keep your look simple for the ceremony and then add accessories for the reception.
Old-School Rule: You should exchange traditional vows.
The New Twist: There's nothing wrong with sticking to the same vows that so many have said before you. But adding your own language can make the ceremony more meaningful to you. If you're nervous about writing your own vows from scratch, borrow lines from your favorite songs, poems, movies or children's books.
Old-School Rule: Bridesmaids should carry matching bouquets.
The New Twist: Your bridesmaids don't have to hold the same kind of flowers to look the part. Have each one carry a bouquet in a signature color or let your florist create several mono-botanic bouquets in the same hue. Or add fancy ribbon wrappings to help each girl stand out.
0 comments:
Post a Comment