Wedding Traditions: Which ones will you say I do to?
Photographer: Harry Michael
Whether you are a traditionalist at heart or a wedding maverick, including wedding traditions into your day unites you with some incredible wedding history and connects you to those married before you. Over the years the older traditions have been modernised, with many couples just cherry picking the ones which fit with their day. That said it’s your wedding, so go old-school if you want!
We take a look at some of the popular ones and how to revamp them.
“You may kiss the bride”
We love the classic movies - veil lifts as the husband sees the bride’s face post nuptials and is permitted to kiss her.
But how about “you may kiss the groom” or even “you may kiss each other”. Everyone has kissing rights you know!
Photography: Harry Michael Venue: La Pescaia
“Let them eat cake”
Cakes are not going anywhere but the tradition of stopping the wedding party mid flow to squish everyone round the cake cutting table is being phased out more and more.
The wedding cake in Italy is a big deal! And couples are spoilt for choice - Millefoglie, layers of crisp pastry covered with cream and filled with chocolate, fruit or our fav, lemon curd. Sensational! Crostata di frutta is another classic, topped with berries, this is equally show-stopping.
Why have one cake when you can have 10! More and more couples are considering cake tables, which makes for an impressive photo op!
Photographer: Big Love Wedding Photography
Signing of the guestbook
Whilst it is wonderful to have written words from your nearest and dearest, ask yourself how often will you go back and re-read?
A creative and fun way to ask your guests to mark their presence at your day could be with a polaroid camera and a gorgeous book to stick them in.
Photographer: Sasa Adamovic
First Dance
Unless you are natural-born exhibitionist, the thought of taking to the floor in-front of your friends and family might make your knees shake! But worry not, you have options!
Choose your first dance song but invite all guests to join you on the dance floor. Our tip: mention this in a speech, so guest know what to expect and you avoid the awkward beckoning as the song starts!
Keep it intimate and have your first dance privately.
Or make it a wedding party affair and select a few couples to join you getting your grove on!
Photographer: David Bastianoni
The Honeymoon
The trip to rival all holidays! Jetting straight off after the wedding isn’t as common as it was. With destination weddings, friends and family tend to stick around, so why not consider a post-wedding pool party, followed by a relaxing few days just the two of you lapping up Italy’s best bits.
And if you decide the trip of a lifetime is for you, then delaying it will only extend honeymoon bliss, right?
Photographer: Elina Upmane Photography
New Tradition: Social Media
From breathtaking floral displays, canopies of twinkling lights to the confetti toss and bridal bouquet throw, weddings make for the perfect insta-opp. And with a wedding in Italy, no filter is needed! It does appear though that weddings are stepping away from tradition and with focus more on the spectacle.
If you didn’t have a wedding hashtag, did you even have a wedding at all?
Photographer: MIKI Studios
If you’re looking for expert advice, supported by Q&As directly with the wedding planners behind La Lista, check out The Club - our membership - launching soon.
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Written by Emily Jennings, marketing person and wedding day-dreamer; lover of a boho vibe and a wedding night filled with a thousand lights.
