Over the last few weeks I’ve answered a couple wedding-related questions in my “Dear Wendy“ column that left me wondering why people are still following outdated “rules” when planning a wedding. One person who wrote me worried that her fiancé would have more guests on “his side” than she’d have on hers; the letter I posted yesterday incited a debate about the etiquette of organizing a wedding party. As someone who got married last summer, I know there can be a lot of outside pressure on the people planning the wedding and it’s easy to lose sight of what’s most important and meaningful to them, so after the jump, a helpful reminder of twenty things you do not have to do at your wedding (no matter what the mother-of-the-bride might say!).
1. Serve cake.
Go with cupcakes if you want. Or pie! Or an assortment of baked goods.
2. Exchange rings.
Maybe matching tattoos are more your thing. That’s cool.
3. Do silly dances.
The dollar dance may make you a little beer money for the honeymoon, but if you feel like a dork doing it, don’t!
4. Have your dad walk you down the aisle.
You could have your mom walk you down the aisle instead, or both of them, or neither of them. (I went to a wedding last weekend where the bride and groom walked each other down the aisle) Here’s a thought: you could walk down the aisle all by yourself like a big girl!
5. Walk down an aisle at all.
Maybe there isn’t even an “aisle” where you’re getting married or you’d rather just start at the spot you’re exchanging your vows. Go for it.
6. Wear white.
Any color of the rainbow is appropriate if it makes you feel beautiful, it’s your day, after all.
7. Separate the bride’s guests from the groom’s guests.
You’re combining your lives so, really, it’s OK to combine the guest list, too.
8. Have just one Maid of Honor or Best Man.
Do you have two best friends or a friend and sibling you’re equally close to? Make them both MoHs! Or don’t have a Maid of Honor at all. Or make everyone general bridesmaids. I mean, who really cares?
