Brides Reveal Wedding Traditions That Haven’t Stood the Test of Time

When one person raised the question, “What is one wedding tradition you absolutely wouldn’t partake in?” on the website Quora, plenty of former brides laid their opinions on the line and let everyone know what traditions they think are arcane, outdated and just totally offensive to take part in.

From wearing a white gown to having your father at your side to walk you down the aisle, not all wedding traditions fit all. Some brides have vowed to never take their spouses name while other brides have thrown vows out altogether!

Simple Weddings Are Better and Cheaper

“The week I got engaged, I went out and bought a bridal magazine. Read through it. Then wanted to jump out of a window. The main thrust of the magazine was ‘the perfect wedding.

’

And for me to have the perfect wedding, at least according to the magazine, I’d have to buy a load of crap, like unity candles and something having to do with sand, plus I’d have go out and research wedding photographers, hair and make-up people, florists, videographers, bands/DJs, and on and on it went.

Or plunk down a bunch of scratch to pay a wedding planner to do it for me. And then the gown. Ay carumba. I’ve owned cars that cost less than some of the gowns they were touting.

So, after the guy I grew up with, who has a very successful DJ/photography/whatever company, told me he could get a DJ for my wedding ‘starting around $2,500’ I finally said, “Screw that, I am NOT hemorrhaging money for this.”

Got a nice gown for $700. Got our rings from Etsy. They’re sterling silver with a 14k yellow gold lining. (Didn’t see the point of the lining, but that’s how they came. ) $400 for the pair. Did the flowers myself, from flowers I bought at Produce Junction and Acme. Total about $50. Did my own hair and makeup.

My sister-in-law offered to do the videography. Another friend offered to snap photos of everything. For the reception, I hired a harpist for about $200. Nobody got to dance, but at least they could hold conversations without screaming to be heard. The reception cost about $1,500. Beautiful wedding cake -about $100. No bouquet toss, no garter.

Over and over through out the years, I’ve been told by the people who attended (we had between 40 and 50 people) that ours was the best wedding they’d ever been to.” Story credit: Quora / Barrie Creedon Wennberg

Pigeons Have No Place At Weddings

“Pigeons are pets. They are not made to live on their own in the world. White pigeons are specially breeded for weddings and released into the wild, where they die.

This tradition is animal cruelty.” Story credit: Quora / Christina Rauscher

Father Escorts Are Outdated and Old Fashioned

“Father Escort. I hate this tradition so much because of its original meaning. It stems from a time when a woman was practically “property” for all her life. The tradition basically means the father gives away his daughter (his “property”) to her husband.

It’s just awful, no thanks.” Story credit: Quora / Lea Sing

Cake Smearing is Just Rude

“I find this appalling & disrespectful along with it being more fitting at a child’s birthday party than a wedding reception.

If after spending thousands of dollars on wedding attire, the wedding itself, and spending hours dressing with care only to have my mate abuse & humiliate me in front of our guests, I wouldn’t have married him to begin with.

It’s more than just cake smeared faces, it’s the total disregard of feelings & lack of respect that puts this in the top spot of something I’d never take part in.

Ever.” Story credit: Quora / Laurie Parks