Engagement and wedding customs have undergone a substantial shift in recent decades. Where previously, tradition ruled, many couples choose to follow more modern customs and standards.
Whether you’re planning your wedding in 2021 or wondering what to expect at the next wedding you attend, keeping up with current customs is essential. This guide will break down some of the breaks from tradition that modern weddings have taken.
The Rings
Traditionally, engagement rings are chosen by the groom and presented to the bride during the proposal. However, many couples are now opting out of this standard.
For one, many brides want to choose their own rings. This makes sense, as these are pieces of jewelry they’ll be wearing for many years to come. Post-proposal, the couple will often choose their wedding rings together. In the past, the bride-to-be would usually opt for a wedding band that matched her engagement ring perfectly, but today’s unique trends have pushed more mix and match rings into the limelight.
Additionally, some couples are going the more non-traditional engagement ring route of solely using wedding or eternity bands, excluding engagement rings entirely. Diamond eternity band options can be found on ItsHot’s website. They provide a wide selection of eternity rings at reasonable prices.
As for payment, the tradition states that grooms should purchase the engagement ring for their bride. However, many couples are choosing a more equitable route, with both partners splitting the cost of all three rings.
The Ceremony
Over the past few decades, there have been fewer and fewer wedding ceremonies held in churches in the U.S. Some research suggests that this trend is due to the simple fact that Millennials, the youngest of which will be 25 this year, are less religious than the previous generation.
Alongside venue changes, the traditional wedding script is being updated to reflect a more neutral tone. Whereas the traditional script makes several religious remarks and includes language that many deem demeaning to women, the newer script omits these passages or has edited them. Some couples may edit the script together to create one that best reflects their values as a couple.
Additionally, many same-sex couples modify the traditional wedding ceremony to be more inclusive and less-gender oriented. For example, both brides and grooms may have their chance to walk down the aisle.
Still more changes, some couples have opted to skip the “giving away” of the bride. While many still view the traditional as sweet, others deem it sexist and omit it from the ceremony.
The Reception
According to wedding tradition, the bride’s family is generally responsible for covering the bulk of wedding costs, including the reception.
That said, the trend toward smaller, more intimate weddings translates to smaller receptions. In some cases, those families with substantial land may host the reception in their backyard as a more budget-friendly affair.
Otherwise, there has been an increase in receptions being held in more cost-efficient locations, such as rented out restaurants, bars, and more.
Interestingly, the pandemic forced a lot of couples to get creative with outdoor locations. Parks, gardens, rooftops, beaches, and more are expected to be popular reception locations in the year ahead.
Though wedding customs have certainly changed in recent years, it’s important that you don’t get too caught up in the trends. Rather, the focus should be on planning a wedding that suits your partner and yourself. Find a way to celebrate your love and union in a way that means something to the both of you!
