Weddings have always been codified by tradition, but with average US wedding budgets hitting $36,000 in 2025, couples and planners are wondering whether some customs still make sense for them. Here’s what 15 of them told TruthSider when, surveyed.
Sleeping Apart Pre-Big Day
Its original origins – most of us will recall something immediate and traditional like arranged marriage, which ensures a girls “virginity” – holds little water with many post-marriage couples’ lives this day-and-age. As planner LaraMahler puts it, waking together and rising to greet each day in the same space by maintaining routines can be comforting as well as cost-effective.
Insisting the Bride–Wear White
Though white is traditional thanks to Queen Victoria, many planners say brides should feel free. About 15% of brides today wear ivory, blush, and even vivid colors that align with their personalities as they seek the dress they feel is truly themselves.
Uniform Bridesmaid Dresses
Bridesmaid dresses to match have their pitfalls, especially when sizes and styles are so divergent. LaurenZizza has a better idea: Picking a color palette, allowing everyone to select their preferred cut so they feel comfortable and photos appear natural.
Father Giving Away the Bride
This practice is a way of passing off “kind of ownership,” something that many now consider outdated. Options also include walking as one or two adults, walking with single or both parents and coming in alone reflecting pan-partner family arrangements.
Bouquet & Garter Tosses
These rituals have become increasingly awkward for guests, who once sent the young couple off with a great deal of huffing and puffing. While it’s not must to have such theotrical antics or rituals, but then GenZ influenced couples rather skip them and put their creative foot forward in place of exchanging garlands with either some thoughtful give aways or song dedications showes.
Garter Toss
The garter routine, like the bouquet toss can read as a bit cringey and disconnected. Quite a few planners advise toning it down or skipping it altogether.
Why These Customs Are Fading Away
- Personal sense of comfort: Couples want to enjoy their day as themselves, not celebrate ritualistically.
- Cost efficiency: By not overdoing things that don’t even need to be done, you can maintain your budget without getting caught in price inflation.
- Cultural resonance: Today’s mindset values equality, inclusivity and self-expression more than prescriptive norms of symbolism.
Ideas to help with Planning a Real Wedding
- Emphasize what’s most important to you: Feel free to pass on rituals that don’t resonate, whether it’s traditional entries, flower tosses or solos.
- Opt for personal over performative: Replace throwbacks with something meaningful — custom vows, family stories, favorite music.
- Make everyone feel at ease: Allow your bridal party to be who they are taking into consideration each of their unique styles, versus being so uniformed.
- Keep your guests involved without adding pressure: BE the best when it comes to hospitality, not accessory add ons like cash bars or days long photo ops.
