14 Wedding Traditions and Expectations You Can Skip for a More Personal Celebration

Weddings are full of traditions, but not every custom needs to be part of your big day.  

Modern couples are embracing personal touches and letting go of elements that don’t resonate with them. Here are 14 wedding traditions and expectations you can skip—or rethink—to make your celebration uniquely yours.



Image: german larkin

Wishing Wells aren’t for everyone. If you’ve already built a home together, consider skipping the cash gift option for a small registry with meaningful items or ask guests to donate to a charity in your name.”

2/3 IMAGE: KRisten marie Parker

Alex Cooper & Matt Kaplan’s 2024 Nuptials

Overly Posed Photography – Photos should reflect the emotions of your day and not feel like a staged photo shoot. Trust your photographer to capture candid moments and avoid spending too much time on orchestrated setups.”

3/3 IMAGE: House of lucie love

Shyla & Sameer’s Wedding Cake by Butter.au

“A meaningful wedding doesn’t have to follow a traditional template. By focusing on what’s important to you and letting go of what isn’t, you can create a unique celebration that reflects your love story.”

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