Wedding Etiquette Today
Wedding etiquette is not what is used to be. The more stringent rules of propriety, although still implemented by many, no longer have such full sway over the minds and hearts of brides and grooms [and family members] embroiled in furtive wedding planning activities. From the way wedding invitations are presented and worded to what's considered acceptable at ceremony and reception, wedding etiquette truly has'perhaps of necessity'morphed with the times.
A few, notable examples on how wedding etiquette has been modified are as follows.
Personalized weddings. Couples today often opt to 'throw the wedding etiquette book out the window' and strive for a more personalized wedding that fits their tastes and personalities. Personal, hand-written wedding vows written by the bride and groom are an indication of this trend.
Sharing the costs. The cost of wedding expenses and today's economy are having an effect on who pays for the wedding. Sharing costs among the family members, even asking the groom's parents to help, is a significant departure from what tradition and etiquette have long dictated through history.
Honor Attendants. One of the most drastic deviations from traditional etiquette is when the bride has a special male friend stand in place of a maid of honor, as the bride's 'honor attendant.' The groom might do the same with a female 'honor attendant' rather than a best man. These unusual variations on etiquette are respectively referred to as 'Man of Honor' and 'Best Woman.'
Wedding Attire Variations. For as long as anyone can remember, wedding etiquette has dictated the bride's wedding gown be either white or ivory. But today, more and more brides are feeling free to go with whichever color suits them and allows them to express themselves more freely'especially if cultural heritage is in play. Even those who attend the wedding have more latitude in choice of color as far as wedding attire goes; black is no longer 'out', and all are free to dress in white, if so desired.
Color Variations. It used to be wedding etiquette 'required' white to dominate: floral arrangements, bouquets, wedding attire, wedding invitations, reception decors, table linens, wedding cake, even gift wrapping, have all traditionally been white. Nowadays, sweeping color arrays are showing up more frequently.
If a person were to show up at a wedding today, that person might not recognize wedding etiquette if he or she were looking for its existence. But it's true: wedding etiquette has changed much. Who knows how much it will change over the next fifty years?
Information provided as a service by Beautiful Wedding Invitations.com.
About the Author:
Charles Pruett is a freelance copywriter who specializes in persuasive sales copy, SEO web content, and is also a night'and night wedding'photographer.
Author: Charles K Pruett