Traditions are lovely, they undoubtedly add flair to weddings. Wearing your grandmother's tiara or dancing to a song you heard on your first date? These are all lovely ways to celebrate the past.
However, sometimes traditions turn into unwritten rules we don't want to break. The bride's family sits on one side of the aisle and the groom's on the other. You must have a wedding cake. The band must play your favourite songs and nothing else.
Rules become stifling rather than party enhancing.
It's about time we say goodbye to some of these restrictions.
Ready to break some rules?
Rule You Should Break #1: You must have separate pre-parties for the bride and groom
Getting married is definitely worth a few parties aside from the big day itself. But it might be time to say goodbye to the concept of separate stag and hen parties - we all have friends of the opposite sex now anyway.
Why not throw a big party instead for all your friends? Everyone will get to let their hair down and the costs can be lower when you have a bigger group paying for it all. Doing something together can also help your party avoid falling into tacky or cheesy territory.
Rule You Should Break #2: Your wedding dress must be white
The rule your wedding dress must be white is perhaps the oldest of the wedding traditions. The white dress is all about chastity and other "old school" beliefs and values, which don't necessarily resonate with many brides in 2017.
Besides, while white wedding dresses are undoubtedly stunning, there are many beautiful examples of non-white wedding dresses. So, be like Elizabeth Taylor and ditch the white. Just don't follow her in the number of marriages she had!
If you do opt for white then have some fun with it afterwards - trashing the wedding dress is a fairly new tradition that we're definitely on-board with!
Rule You Should Break #3: The wedding music must be just for dancing
Music is a great way to entertain guests but it shouldn't just be about the dancing. Wedding bands have come a long way and these days, you aren't just getting a band to 'just' play songs, you are getting a full show!
You don't need to have the music playing only during the end part of your wedding reception. A band could be playing from start to finish - it could be part of other entertainment such as any party games, dancers, the speeches, and the cake cutting.
Rule You Should Break #4: The party needs a cake
Talking of cakes; the wedding cake together with the white dress are considered two of the integral parts of a wedding. While there's nothing wrong with cake (everyone loves good cake!), you shouldn't be afraid to skip the cake cutting as a ceremony itself.
We also know people who it turned out hated their wedding cake so much they had it cut and sliced by the venue before reception guests started to turn up!
Have a different dessert offering, such as cake pops or an ice cream truck outside and create a different kind of spectacle. Having you and your partner scoop out the ice cream will actually be more symbolic than just cutting a cake slice.
Rule You Should Break #5: Guests must receive a little favour
We might be stepping over to controversial territory here but let's be honest, wedding favours are hardly ever genius or generous. You don't want to stretch your budget to anything crazy, but you also don't want guests to remember your wedding for a bad favour.
With this in mind you shouldn't really feel the need to give your guests anything. Some will be happy just to help themselves to what's left of the buffet as they leave! After all, they are getting to enjoy a great party and all the entertainment you've provided.
If you'd like to do something, how about donating to charity on your guests' behalf? This is a popular option, with plenty of UK charities offering an option like this.
Weddings are about celebrating love, not a military operation that has to go according to a plan. Feel comfortable in saying goodbye to the traditions and rules, and focus 100% in creating a party to remember.