Obviously weddings have been around for a long time, which probably explains why they all seem pretty darn similar. I have literally been to dozens of weddings, and as I look back on them, not one jumps out as being particularly unique. This makes sense, as weddings are grounded in traditions going back hundreds of years, so much so that many brides are basically afraid to break the traditional norms. But let me say, it does not need to be this way! You can still have a bang-up, crowd-pleasing wedding even if you forego some of the long-standing traditions. As such, what follows are a few tips to modernize your wedding.
Perhaps the easiest way to modernize your wedding is to create a highly personalized wedding theme. The fact of the matter is that most weddings do not have a specific theme, yet all the best weddings I’ve ever been to have been related to a theme. Requiring wedding guests to comply with a specific theme helps break the ice, and is a bonding experience for everyone in attendance. That is why theme weddings are always more fun than ‘regular’ weddings. Now, this does not mean you need to have a costume party! Your theme should be simpler than that – focus on a color (everyone must wear something red), era (vintage 1950s wedding), or dress style (casual versus formal).
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The second and probably most controversial way to modernize your wedding is to ditch the church and/or the hotel. I know, I know…some of you might view this as nothing short of sacrilege or blasphemy, but nothing is more common than weddings that take place in either churches or hotels. Instead, consider a destination wedding, beach wedding, backyard / garden wedding, or a wedding at an elegant historical estate or countryside mansion.
Another way to modernize your wedding is to eliminate all those funky wedding traditions that you always see – the garter toss, bouquet toss, cake-cutting event, etc. In my opinion these are outdated traditions and can easily be replaced by more modern ideas. For example, you could show a ‘this is your life’ slideshow of the bride and groom, stage a contest for the guests (think drinking games but for a larger audience), or serve wedding cupcakes or ice cream sundaes in lieu of a wedding cake. The sky is the limit, just be creative!
Yet another way to add a modern flair to your wedding is to ditch the white gown. Almost every wedding I’ve ever been to has been a “white wedding,” so if you’re the bride-to-be, why not change it up and go with a more modern or colorful wedding dress? Trust me, having a non-white wedding dress will immediately make your wedding stand out, especially if it ties in with your overall wedding theme. Similarly, the bridesmaids’ dresses can also be non-traditional – for example, multi-colored dresses, every bridesmaid wearing a different color dress, or heck…no dresses at all!
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Finally, ditch the traditional wedding menu. There’s only so much prime rib, chicken and salmon your guests can stomach. Mix it up and make it less formal. For example, serve burgers and fries instead of a fancy sit-down meal. Or have multiple food stations featuring a particular ethnicity of food. Or make it a pizza party! No matter what you do, please – PLEASE – forgo the normal “wedding food” that most people dread.
I hope you enjoyed this quick list of things you can do to bring your wedding into the 21st century. The bottom line is that you ought to be creative and think outside the box as you figure out ways to modernize your wedding – do this, and I guarantee that your wedding will be THE ONE that people remember for years to come. For more ideas, check out this fab article from TheKnot.com that offers some additional ideas for modern weddings. Good luck!
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