With so many rules surrounding weddings, it can be hard to sort the truth from the myths. Just making sure you have everything you need for your big day is hard enough, so let’s take some of the most common wedding myths and discuss where they came from, and why you should ignore them, so you can enjoy your wedding as much as you should.
#1. The Bride Must Wear a White Wedding Dress
More and more brides break this supposed rule all of the time, but the truth is, it was never really a rule to begin with. A bride wearing a white wedding dress was not even popular until the 19th century, so wearing white has very little to do with tradition and should have everything to do with your personal preference. So, while dispelling this myth may make you feel slightly less rebellious in your non-white dress, it should also put your mind at ease, no matter what color you wear on your big day.
#2. Only the Bride Can Wear White
Speaking of wearing white, there is a persistent myth that nobody other than the bride is even allowed to wear white. This myth, while not completely untrue, is not as set in stone as it was once assumed to be. The best rule to follow is to let the bride make the decision about who should wear white. If she wants her bridesmaids to wear white, that’s up to her, but if you’re attending a wedding and are tempted to wear your favorite white cocktail dress, it may be best to opt for another color until further notice.
#3. The Groom Seeing the Bride Before the Ceremony Is Bad Luck
This myth is no longer taken as seriously as it once was, but, at one point, the groom seeing his bride before the wedding ceremony was considered disastrous. Weddings were once considered business deals, and, when arranged marriages were the norm, it was common for the groom to be locked in a room before the wedding to ensure he wouldn’t call off the wedding after seeing his bride-to-be.
Luckily, modern marriages rarely start off like this, so feel free to see each other before the ceremony without any repercussions. Prior to the ceremony is an ideal time to have photos taken, and it gives the couple a slice of time to spend together before the big event officially begins.
#4. They Invited You to Their Wedding; Now You Must Return the Favor
There are so many factors that go into a wedding that this myth borders on ridiculous. For example, your wedding may be smaller, with you preferring to include only your closest friends and family on your guest list. Maybe you’ve fallen out of touch. Maybe you’ve seen them get plastered and start dancing on the tables at other weddings, and want to avoid a similarly awkward scene at your own wedding.
Your reasoning is your business. It’s your special day, and you shouldn’t feel obligated to invite anyone you don’t absolutely want to be there. Whatever you decide, if someone assumes that you are inviting them, let them down gently when you give them your reason for limiting the guest list.
#5. Wedding Planners Cost More Than They’re Worth
While some wedding planners may charge outrageous fees for what they do, the best wedding planners earn whatever you pay them, and then some. The advantage of having a wedding planner is that they work with venue owners and vendors every day, who then often give them a discount for sending your business their way. A wedding planner will take care of all of the negotiations and oversee your wedding’s setup. There are so many details involved when you’re planning a wedding, and letting a professional take care of the business side of things so you can enjoy your special day is more than worth the cost.
Final Thoughts
Your wedding gives you enough to think about without having to worry about the myths that surround these great events. If your wedding, from your dress to the ceremony itself, is based on you and your bride- or groom-to-be, you can’t go wrong. Most importantly, your wedding is the beginning of your new life together, and that is no myth.
