Hi everyone! Today I am here with another Wedding Wednesday and today is all about Wedding Traditions. I am going to share some of my absolute favorite traditions to witness and capture and also some of my least favorite traditions that I wouldn’t mind if you skipped.
As with all wedding advice, this is purely opinion and you should ultimately choose traditions for your wedding that matter to you!! It is your special day and what is important to you is what matters the most!!
FAVORITE: A Private First Dance
This is a newer trend that is quickly becoming a fun twist on a classic wedding tradition. The first dance is incredibly special because it is the first time you are dancing together officially as newlyweds!! Whether it is a fun choreographed dance or just a sweet little sway to your own special song, it is a moment to celebrate and cherish the fact that you’re finally married! Sometimes, it can be a little overwhelming though. Maybe you don’t love the idea of dancing alone in front of everybody. Maybe you just want a moment for the two of you to share. Regardless of the reason, it is so sweet and an instant favorite of mine!!
LEAST FAVORITE: GARTER/BOUQUET TOSSES
Throwing of the garter and the bouquet is a tradition I’ve seen at most weddings. Believe it or not, Ryan and I had this tradition at our own wedding and…it was a little bit awkward. Having been on both sides of the room, watching this happen (especially if your new spouse gets a little spicy) as well as being behind the camera. In both situations, it can feel uncomfortable to witness. Add in the overhyped ladies who literally push and shove to catch the bouquet. It’s a recipe for disaster. Definitely one I’d skip if I could go back…
FAVORITE: WEDDING PARTY FIRST LOOKS
When you get married, you should be surrounded by all of the people who love you most. The reactions of those loved ones seeing you all dressed up for the first time is truly heartfelt and so magical to witness! Other potential first looks, that aren’t with your fiancé, can be with siblings or parents. I understand the thought of wanted to wait for the aisle, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still have a fun first look!!
LEAST FAVORITE: Massive Head Tables/Too Many Speeches
Let’s say you have 20 people in your wedding party. That’s totally fine! You can literally have as many people in your wedding party as you want! Ryan and I had 16 total (plus a flower girl and ring bearer) and wouldn’t change a thing. The part I tend to dislike is having all twenty at a massive head table. This is for a few reasons like it being incredibly hard to photograph but also it is difficult to interact with people when you’re all seated in one straight line. Similarly, I find having a ton of speeches to also be a big burdensome as a photographer and as a guest. If you keep it to just a couple speeches, totally fine!! I’ve photographed weddings that have had, no kidding, 10 to 15 speeches. It’s a lot. My personal recommendation is to have a sweetheart table and limit those speeches!!
FAVORITE: LAST DANCE
There are going to be some people at your reception who live on the dance floor. For them, a wedding is a party and the party doesn’t stop. The “last dance” is a little for them to help wind down and realize that the send-off (if you’re having one) is about to happen. It’s also one last chance for you and your spouse to breathe and soak in the last moments of your special day. Typically, I’d recommend a meaningful slow song to end the night, but it is totally up to you!! By having your DJ or band announce that it is the last song, you might get those hold outs who refused to dance all night to step onto the floor as their last chance!
Thank you so much for taking the time to read all the way through! I hope you found this a little bit helpful in your wedding planning process!! I always share my blog posts to my Instagram stories so you can follow my over there ( @ChelseaLavalleePhoto ) to get updates on my next Wedding Wednesday post.
Have a wonderful day!!
-Chelsea
