{Advice} It's not about tradition

Yesterday, after a meeting with the fabulous Misty from Cameo Events (who is on our preferred vendor listing, and who will be coordinating my wedding), and after a long telephone call with my Nana, who is also a wedding planner, I realized just how non-traditional our wedding really is.

We talked about formal seating of grandparents. We want to keep the processional short and get to the reception where we can spend time with our family, and we just have too many grandparents.

We talked about the fact that at the beginning of the ceremony, we want the officiant not to say "who gives this woman," but instead to say "who gives their blessing?" (It's the feminist in me.)

{via}

We talked about the ceremony--the idea of readings, a unity candle, sand ceremony. We're having none of the above.

We talked about a receiving line. Yeah, right. I'd rather just mingle with my guests.

We talked about having the guests wait until Stephen and I arrive at the reception to start eating. Nope. They can eat when they want.

{Our food tables are going to look something like this; who wants to wait for the bride and groom?! Via}

We talked about a grand entrance. We want to just appear, do our first dance, and then party with our friends. No need to put us on the spotlight again after the ceremony.

The few traditions we'll be holding: We'll do the bouquet and garter tosses, some traditional dances (father-daughter, mother-son, dollar).

This was all decided based on who I am, based on who Stephen is, and based on what we want our party wedding to be. If my accidental typing of party up there tells you anything (yup, that was an accident), it tells you that we want our wedding to be fun. I describe it as a big family reunion where we happen to wed.

We want it to be about dancing, about love (and not just our love), and about smiles. Not about etiquette or tradition or the way things "ought to be."

It's not that those around us aren't supportive of our non-traditional take on things. Both my Nana and Misty were super supportive yesterday as we explained our plans. It's just that sometimes I feel like I'm a bit obligated to follow tradition. But I'm not.

My point is this: Weddings aren't about traditions or norms. They're celebrations of love, and of the couple. Make your wedding about you. (If that means traditions because you like them, then GREAT! But if you're like me and aren't so hot on the way things always are, don't sweat it.)

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