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Whether you’re dreaming about or actually planning your wedding, you’re likely to come across or you already have ideas regarding the “traditional” wedding. While traditions are traditions for a reason, there’s nothing that says traditions can’t be broken. Your wedding is your day to celebrate in any way that you see fit. If you want to break away from the traditional rules and styles, don’t hesitate to do so! For a unique and memorable wedding, here are 14 wedding traditions you should consider breaking.

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Wearing a white dress

In the past, it has always been that the bride is expected to wear a white, or at least an ivory colored dress. However, nowadays, this tradition has been pushed aside. Several well-known wedding dress designers, including Lazaro, Jim Hjelm, Mori Lee, and others offer dresses in various colors, including blush pink, gold, and even light blue. If white just isn’t your color or if you’ve fallen in love with a dress that doesn’t fall into the traditional category, don’t sweat it. It’s your day, wear what makes you feel beautiful!

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Wearing a veil

Veils can be pretty and in most cases they accentuate the dress you choose to wear on your big day. But maybe you live somewhere where it’s bound to be windy, or maybe you just want to pass up on the veil completely. There’s no reason why you have to wear a veil. If you’re looking to draw attention to your face, try wearing a head piece, a tiara, or even a floral piece in your hair.

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Only sending out traditional invites

Wedding invitations can be stressful and really expensive. Apart from straying away from the typical wedding verbiage, you may also find it more ideal that you send out more modern types of invitations. If you’re a little bit internet-savvy, try sending out e-invites. Create a wedding website and have guests RSVP on the website. This will save you money, time, and a lot of energy in the end.

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Saying traditional vows only

Traditional wedding vows definitely have a lot of meaning and purpose, but don’t be shy to say your own vows at your wedding. In fact, creating and saying your own vows has become extremely popular in today’s world. Personal vows allow you and your husband to say exactly what you want to say to each other on your big day. There’s nothing more touching than listening to a couple spell out their hand-written vows.

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Having someone walk you down the aisle

The music is playing and all eyes are on you as you walk down the aisle. Though it’s tradition for the bride’s father to walk her down the aisle, for some brides this isn’t a possibility. If you’re struggling to find someone who can walk you down the aisle, consider making the big walk on your own. Though it’ll mean more eyes are strictly on you, you’ll be able to make a grand entrance that highlights your beauty and happiness.

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Not seeing each other until the ceremony

It’s tradition that the groom cannot see the bride in her dress before the ceremony begins. However, it’s become extremely popular for couples to have what’s called a “first look.” This means that the bride and groom get to see each other before the wedding ceremony begins and the emotional moment is kept between the two of them. This also makes the walk down the aisle a little less stressful.

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Having an equal number of bridesmaids and groomsmen

So you have 6 best friends that you know you want to be part of your wedding while your man only has 4. This leaves you two in a weird situation, especially if you want to stick to the tradition of having equal bridal and groom parties. If this becomes a situation for your wedding, don’t be afraid to break the mold and have an unequal number on each side. It won’t ruin pictures and in the end you can definitely make it work.

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Wearing flashy high-heels

While high-heels and wedding dresses are made for each other, there’s nothing that says you have to wear heels on your wedding day. Heels can be uncomfortable and for an outdoor wedding, heels aren’t exactly ideal. Don’t hesitate to wear wedges, flats, or even kitten heels. The idea of your wedding day is for you to be comfortable. Besides, no one really looks at or sees your shoes!

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Sleeping apart the night before

Tradition says that the bride and groom shouldn’t have any type of bedroom activity the night before the wedding, but sometimes that just isn’t possible. There’s nothing wrong with spending your last night together in bed as a pre-married couple. Enjoy the experience! For most couples, spending the night together will reduce a lot of wedding stress and anxiety.

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Holding the wedding in a traditional venue

Churches, hotels, and ballrooms are all pretty traditional venues. If you want to have a truly memorable wedding, have it at a location that is unique and different. Nowadays, barns, beaches, parks, and other outdoor venues have become extremely popular. Old mansions and historical landmarks  have also become pretty popular. You can always have an officiant come to your wedding location no matter where it is.

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Honeymooning immediately

After the wedding comes the honeymoon, right? Yes..and no. For some couples, going on their dream honeymoon isn’t exactly in the budget after paying for a wedding. There’s no need to go on a honeymoon right after the wedding, especially if you can’t afford it. Instead, take a few months, enjoy being a married couple at home, and save money so that you and your husband can go on your dream honeymoon.

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Making bridesmaids wear the same dress

Not every bridesmaid is shaped the same. Some are tall, some are short, just as some are skinny and some may be a bit curvier. This means that not every dress is going to be flattering on all body types. It’s best, and usually most ideal, to give your bridesmaids options when picking dresses. Of course, stick to the same color, but then give them a few styles to choose from.

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Having a bouquet/garter toss

The bouquet and garter toss are two extremely common wedding traditions. But what if you don’t want to ruin your bouquet? What if you don’t have a lot of single people at your wedding? Though the bouquet and garter toss are definitely fun to watch, they aren’t suitable for all weddings. For some brides the tradition is a bit embarrassing. You can only imagine what grandma is thinking over in the corner with your groom’s head up your dress!

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Playing traditional wedding songs

At most weddings you can all but ensure that you’re going to hear “Here Comes the Bride,” “Canon in D,” and many others. However, tradition aside, there’s nothing that dictates the type of music that you play during your ceremony. If you want to walk down the aisle to a different song than one that’s traditionally played, go for it!