There is no doubt, weddings have evolved in recent years, especially for couples trying to stretch their budget. I’ve watched trends come and go over 20+ years in this industry. Yes, there have been trends I didn’t love. And yes, there are trends I realllllly didn’t love and hope like heck will never come back.
I know of plenty of planners (and bride’s) that won’t agree with my list, BUT below are the older traditions that I don’t think we should see the end of, any time soon:
- Mailed Invitations: While e-invites mean huge cost savings, I’m NOT a fan. I’ll get into deeper detail as to why, in an upcoming post. In a nutshell:
- E-invites are too easy to forget about when a paper invite isn’t hanging on the fridge to remind guests to RSVP
- Older guests may be unfamiliar with how to access an e-invite, RSVP, etc.
- You may want one for your photographer to use for “detail shots” on your wedding day
- You may want one as a keepsake
- Who doesn’t love getting mail that isn’t a bill?!
- Mailed Thank You Cards: I hit on this one in workshop post #33. This one is a hot button for me. A text or computer generated thank you via e-mail is impersonal and lazy. Yep. I said it. A handwritten thank you card will never go “out of style”.
- First Dance as a Married Couple: As a planner, this is one of my FAVORITE moments. I love watching the smiles shared between the couple and the sweet “omg we just got married” giggles as they dance. Just as much, I love watching the parents of the couple during this dance. There is a certain look a parent gets on their face when they watch their child during this dance, knowing they have found their person and are truly happy. I’m not a parent, but rumor has it, that’s what every parent wants for their kid.
- Gift Registries: There are always going to be guests that just do not feel comfortable giving cash. More often than not, it’s out of embarrassment that they cannot afford to give more than they are able. Offering a registry with physical gifts that span a variety of price ranges is a way to make it known to guests that the dollar amount of their gift isn’t important to you, and their presence at your wedding is gift enough.
- The “Something Borrowed, Something Blue” Adage: I’m a sucker for superstitions, especially this one. What I love most about the ‘something borrowed, something blue, something old, something new’ tradition is that’s it’s the perfect way to incorporate family heirlooms or hand-me-downs into your wedding. It’s a beautiful way to honor someone that may no longer be with you, or to make someone close to you feel extra special because you have borrowed or incorporated something of theirs into your big day.
- Table and/or Seating Charts: Stay tuned for the next blog post for info on this one!
Helping YOU say ‘I-DO’,
Your WedUcator