Tag: wedding planning

A Look at Wedding Superstitions

Published on by Bridgett King, Wedding OfficiantLeave a comment

When you think of wedding traditions, you may think of things like the bride wearing white, throwing the bouquet, and the groom not seeing the bride before the wedding. While modern wedding couples may not use these somewhat old-fashioned traditions as frequently now, they are still often the framework for how the wedding ceremony will go.

Many of these traditions are the result of superstitions. For example, many cultures believe that wearing a particular color, performing a specific ritual, or following a certain set of rules will ensure that the wedding is prosperous and will have good luck. These traditions and superstitions can vary widely in different cultures.

Something Old, Something New

Something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue suggests that the bride wears something in each category for good luck. Something old represents the bride’s past, something new represents her new life, something borrowed represents good luck from someone who has had a good marriage, and something blue represents love, fidelity, and purity. This tradition originated in England back in the 19th century.

Bride Wears Red

The Chinese believe the bride wearing red will bring luck and good fortune to the marriage. The bride may also have a red veil to help ward off evil spirits and show as a symbol of her purity. However, no wedding guest should wear red, as the wedding couple may see it as a sign of disrespect.

Exchanging Garlands of Flowers

An Indian tradition is for the bride and groom to exchange garlands of flowers during the wedding ceremony. Afterward, the bride and groom give each other gifts. This is symbolic of two souls meeting, as well as the merging of two families of traditions and customs into one.

Asking the Father for Permission

A longstanding tradition is a groom asking the bride’s father’s permission to propose. This blessing is seen as a sign of good luck and is believed to lead to a successful marriage. However, many do not ask for the father’s permission and propose despite the lack of the father’s blessing. This tradition can be complicated if the bride has no relationship with her father or if the father has a different idea of what kind of man should marry his daughter than she does.

Dangerous Wedding Traditions

These wedding traditions and superstitions are harmless, but some can be dangerous. For example, a Chinese bride was forced to sit in a basket for five hours to encourage her good temper. As she sat in the basket, her feet could not touch the floor, and she was not allowed to move. This ritual could have caused issues for the bride if she had low blood sugar or got dizzy during the process.

In addition to helping her have a good temper, it is also believed that this ritual brings good luck to the husband’s family. However, many people were outraged at the practice, calling it outdated and unnecessary. 

Decline in Weddings

Not only have weddings become more untraditional over the years, but they are also declining. Many people find they are happy enough being in a committed relationship, and some even believe that weddings are bad luck and would hurt the relationship. Some use the tongue-in-cheek expression that 100% of divorces start with marriage. Not to mention, the stress of wedding planning and expectations makes them believe the wedding is not worth it.

If you plan on getting married, whether you decide to implement some of these traditions depends on your culture and whether you are superstitious. However, you may believe that getting married is a bad luck charm for your relationship and decide to stay content with how you are. 

Upcoming Wedding Trends To Consider for Your Big Day

Published on by Bridgett King, Wedding OfficiantLeave a comment

Wedding trends tend to come and go. If you’re planning your own wedding, however, you may want to be aware of the hottest and most interesting fads to see which aligns with the vision you have of your big day. Take a look at the trends that have been emerging in recent months and see if any are a good fit for your big day. 

Secret Photos

Hiring a wedding photographer is a great way to guarantee you get some excellent pictures of your guests enjoying the reception. However, one trend is pushing away from relying solely on the posed work done by professionals. Nowadays, couples are asking the people they hire to focus predominantly on taking candid shots throughout the event. A photographer who has experience in this area will be able to take hundreds of pictures without anyone ever realizing they are being photographed. 

While posed photos are nice, they often can feel forced and uncomfortable. Embracing the concept of candid wedding photography can help you uncover a plethora of phenomenal images related to your big day. You are guaranteed to get better pictures of your event when your subjects are not aware that they are being photographed. You’ll see your family members and friends caught in genuine moments of raw emotion in these pictures, which can be worth a lot more than a handful of photos where everyone is simply smiling and posing.

Little Is Big

Countless people throw large, elaborate weddings each year. Lately, there has been a popular trend moving away from big, showy events. Instead, people are embracing the concept of “less is more.” Specifically, couples are utilizing miniature versions of wedding staples. As an alternative to a giant wedding cake, for example, couples are offering cupcakes or other small desserts. Everything from the bridal bouquet to the favors can be miniaturized, so it is easy to get creative with this concept.

Cold and Bold

Once upon a time, ice sculptures were viewed as the pinnacle of elegance at high-end events. While the trend went out of style for a few decades, it seems to be making a reappearance in many modern weddings. Technology has come a long way in recent years, allowing sculptures to be crafted into specific, intricate designs. The choice does not have to be primarily cosmetic, either. Plenty of people functionally use their ice sculptures, such as using it as the base for a raw bar.

Another angle to consider with an ice sculpture is an ice luge. This is a structure that is kept at the bar and used as a way for guests to enjoy chilled shots. If the luge features more than one “path” for the alcohol to travel, guests can drink together and make the experience into a friendly competition of “who will the liquor reach first?”

Surprises Abound

Though your wedding day is all about you and your partner, you likely have an urge to “give back” to your guests in some capacity. While favors are the traditional way to achieve this, one current trend has couples embracing the idea of really astounding their friends and family. Little surprises can go a long way when it comes to making your big day memorable for all. 

Do you think your guests will be hungry at the end of the night? Hire a food truck to sit outside the venue and hand out hot meals to the crowd before they depart. Want to entertain your guests creatively? Utilize the services of a magician or performance artist and give your loved ones a show they won’t soon forget. 

Make the Day Memorable

No matter the vision you have in your mind for your big day, there are sure to be many interesting wedding trends that will appeal to your needs. Explore the current fads that couples are raving about to see how you can enhance your event and make it one to truly remember.