One of the most important dates you will ever have in your life is your wedding day. A day full of love, joy, and promises of a happy future. But before the big day, you must do a lot of planning to make sure everything goes smoothly. And the best advice is to start planning as soon as possible. You have to find the venue, hire a wedding planner, get a dress and tuxedo, etc. And while some traditions, like having a wedding cake, the first dance, and saying your vows, have stood the test of time and are still universally loved, there are some wedding traditions you might want to skip. 

Parents of the bride pay for the wedding

This is one of those traditions that sounds completely ridiculous in 2022. There is no need for just one side of the family to pay for the wedding. This tradition makes it seem like a wedding is a business deal where one side buys and the other pays. That said, it is entirely normal for the couple's parents to help pay for the wedding. The main point is that you should pay for your wedding in whatever way works best for you, not what some old tradition instructs you.

Father of the bride gives her away

While it may seem charming at first, when you look a bit deeper into it, you will see that this wedding ritual should be left in the past. Not everybody has the same family situation. Some women may have lost their fathers, never even met them, or have a bad relationship with them. So you can imagine that they really don't want to be reminded of this on their wedding day. It will only make them sad and reopen old wounds. Even if you have a good relationship with your father, you shouldn't be forced to do this on your wedding day. You can signify a father and daughter bond in different ways.

Not seeing each other before the ceremony

Another one of the wedding traditions you might want to skip is the idea that the bride and groom shouldn't see each other before the wedding. Not only is it unnecessary, but it is also quite impractical. Wedding days can be hectic, and you will probably want to consult about specific details with your partner. Furthermore, it's much easier to do that if you don't have to hide from each other. Also, chances are you will be anxious on that day and want your partner to help you calm your nerves. That's much more important than some superstitious belief that it is bad luck to see each other before the wedding.

Honeymooning immediately

It's a wide-known practice that newlyweds should go on their honeymoon as soon as the wedding is over. But that's not really practical, is it? Going on a honeymoon requires a lot of time and planning, not to mention money. What if you can't leave work for that long just to go on a honeymoon? Does that mean if you didn't go right away, you should never go? Instead, you should go on a honeymoon when you feel like it and when it works for you. When you and your partner can take time off work or afford a honeymoon, that's the right time, or even feel like it's the time. Don't feel pressured to do something if it's not the right time for you. 

Bachelor/bachelorette parties

While celebrating with your friends before the wedding is a lovely tradition, the idea that those celebrations should be for girls/guys only is entirely outdated. Parties, where you can only invite one gender, aren't always fun because they are very limiting. What if a groom has some great female friends or a sister, and because of some old tradition, he can't call them to celebrate together? Or the bride can't call her best friend, who happens to be male? If you're battling a similar issue while organizing your party, this is one of the wedding traditions you might want to skip. There is no point in making a single list; you shouldn't limit your guest list just to follow a tradition. You shouldn't miss out on having fun with some of your loved ones just because of their gender. 

Wedding gifts

This is one of the traditions you might consider leaving in the past a long time ago. The expectation that your guests should bring you extensive and expensive presents on your wedding day has no place in 2022. If you have a big wedding with up to 100 or 200 guests and everybody brings a present you will end up with a big problem on your hands. Where will you put all those presents? How will you get all of them there?

Interestingly, experts at zaptmovers.com say that they are often hired to help newlyweds pack and relocate all of their wedding gifts. So now you have to pay for those services as well. Then what if some of your guests can't afford to buy some expensive presents? Should they not come? The most important thing should be that your loved ones are there no matter what they can or cannot buy.

In conclusion

These were some outdated wedding traditions you might want to skip. But at the end of the day, do what feels right for you. After all, it is your wedding, and you should do it exactly how you want it, no matter what anyone says.

This is a guest post. Risa James Events has no financial involvement with any companies that may be linked within.