Weddings are full of traditions—some dating back centuries! But as times change, so do the customs that couples choose to include in their big day. While many traditions hold sentimental value, others can feel outdated, unnecessary, or just not right for every couple. If you’re planning your wedding and wondering which traditions you have to follow, here’s the good news: you don’t have to do anything that doesn’t feel like you! More and more couples are choosing to skip or modify certain wedding customs to create a day that reflects their unique love story.

Here are ten wedding traditions that couples are skipping—or reimagining—in modern celebrations.

1. The Bouquet & Garter Toss
Once a lively part of receptions, the bouquet and garter toss are becoming less common. Many couples feel these traditions put single guests on the spot or don’t fit their wedding vibe. Instead, some brides opt for alternatives, like gifting the bouquet to a special guest (such as a grandmother or a couple celebrating a milestone anniversary) or skipping this moment altogether.

2. Wedding Party Titles & Attire
Gone are the days of strict, gender-specific wedding parties! Couples are now including “bridesmen,” “groomsmaids,” and mixed-gender wedding parties, ensuring that their closest friends stand by their side—no matter the title. Many are also giving their attendants more freedom with attire, allowing them to choose styles and colors that fit their personalities and comfort levels.

3. Matching Bridesmaid Dresses
Rather than requiring all bridesmaids to wear the same dress, modern weddings embrace mix-and-match styles, colors, or even different outfits altogether. This approach not only allows bridesmaids to feel confident in what they wear but also adds dimension and personality to the wedding aesthetic.

4. Traditional Wedding Vows
While classic vows remain timeless, many couples are choosing to write their own. Personalized vows allow couples to express their love and commitment in a way that feels authentic and meaningful. Whether they’re heartfelt, humorous, or poetic, personal vows make the ceremony even more special.

5. Parents Giving Away the Bride
Traditionally, the bride’s father walked her down the aisle and “gave her away,” a practice rooted in history when marriage was viewed as a transaction. Today, many brides prefer a different approach—some walk alone, some walk with both parents, and others enter with their partner. It’s all about what feels right for the couple!

6. Cake Cutting Ceremony
While wedding cakes remain popular, not every couple wants a formal cake-cutting moment. Some prefer a dessert bar, a donut wall, or unique treats like pies, cookies, or ice cream. Others ditch the cake entirely, focusing on their favorite sweets instead!

7. Receiving Line
Standing in line to greet every guest one by one? Not for everyone! Instead, couples often mingle with guests during cocktail hour or dinner, ensuring they connect with loved ones in a more natural and relaxed way.

8. Grand Exit with Rice or Sparklers
While sparkler exits are undeniably beautiful, they aren’t always practical (many venues have restrictions), and not every couple wants a big send-off moment. Some want a more organic ending to the night, while others have a private last dance instead of a grand exit.

9. “Something Old, Something New…”
The age-old rhyme (“Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue”) is a fun tradition, but many couples don’t feel the need to follow it strictly. Some embrace it with modern twists—like wearing blue shoes or borrowing a family heirloom—while others skip it entirely.

10. First Look at the Ceremony
Tradition says the couple shouldn’t see each other before the ceremony, but many modern couples are doing a first look instead. This private moment before the ceremony allows them to calm nerves, share an intimate moment, and get beautiful photos without the pressure of an audience.

Your wedding should be a reflection of you—not a checklist of traditions you feel obligated to follow. If you love the idea of a classic wedding or prefer to break the mold, what matters most is that your day feels authentic and meaningful.

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Photography: Chandler Ashlyn Photography, Michael Buscher Photography, Heather and Rob Wedding Photography, Michael Redmond Photography