Wedding Traditions To Skip:
The average wedding costs a whopping $33,900, according to The Knot's 2018 Real Weddings Survey. That number is quite hefty, meaning you want to make sure you're making the most of your money and not wasting it on outdated or unnecessary traditions. So, before you say “I do,” let’s look at some wedding traditions that you can skip to save yourself time, money, and stress.
Saving Money On Wedding Favors
Wedding favors tend to be one of the most forgotten items on a wedding budget. While it is a nice sentiment to thank your guests for attending, there are plenty of ways to do that without spending a lot of money. Instead of buying a bunch of knick knacks, why not purchase a few cases of your favorite beverage and put a small label on each bottle that reads, “Thank you for sharing our special day.” Or, you could pass out small potted succulents with a tag that says, “Thank you for helping us grow.” These are both cheap alternatives that your guests will remember and appreciate.
Wedding Favor
Not Asking Bridesmaids To Pay For Dresses
The bridal party is usually expected to pay for their own dresses, which can be quite expensive. When choosing bridesmaid dresses, consider picking a shade that can be used for other special occasions and ask your bridesmaids to find a dress in that color in their respective budgets. This will save you and your bridesmaids money, plus make sure everyone looks put together.
Getting Rid of the Dollar Dance
The dollar dance is a traditional part of many weddings where the bride and groom will dance with each guest and the guest is expected to give them money. This tradition has been around for years, but it is becoming less and less popular as weddings become more relaxed and more focused on dancing with friends and family. Skip the dollar dance and let your guests enjoy themselves on the dance floor.
Ditching the Garter and Bouquet Tosses
The garter and bouquet tosses at weddings are often awkward and more often than not, they end up being more of a spectacle than anything else. If you're not into the idea of throwing your garter and bouquet, you can skip it and focus on other traditions like cake cutting. Or, you can opt for a more modern take on the tradition, like having all single guests form a circle and have the bride and groom give a single rose or carnation to the lucky winner.
Forgoing a Fancy Wedding Cake
Wedding cakes are often very expensive, so if you're looking to save money and still have a dessert to serve your guests, opt for something simpler. Cupcakes, doughnuts, or even an ice cream sundae bar are all good alternatives that won't break the bank. You can also make your own cake and have someone decorate it for you, or go for something unique like a cheese cake or a savory pie.
Closing Message
Weddings are an exciting time and often come with a lot of traditions. While some of these traditions are worth keeping, there are others that can be skipped without anyone noticing. If you're looking to save money and time, consider ditching some of the more outdated traditions and focus on what really matters—you and your partner. After all, that's what weddings are all about.