So, you’ve gone from ~*~partner~*~ to fiancé and suddenly found yourself under an avalanche of wedding decisions? Congrats, and welcome to the club – the wine’s over there. Whether you’ve been planning your dream wedding since you were 10 (organised!), or hadn’t given it much thought until today (relatable!), you know that there’s a few traditions that have stuck around since forever.
The big dress. The something blue. The towering cake. The bouquet toss. The spending a small fortune on a single day when you’d rather have a Euro vacay… For some of us (cc: Margaret Qualley forgoing heels for ballet flats), it’s just not it. Ahead, the six wedding traditions I’m planning to skip – and what I’m vibing instead.
Margaret Qualley marries Jack Antonoff in ballet flats via Page Six
Skipping: the ball gown
Shopping: the slinky dress.
If you’ve ever helped a bride go to the bathroom, you’ll know those dresses are heavy. Between mountains of tulle, boning and one thousand tiny buttons (my god, the buttons), I’d rather be able to sit down, get down, and go to the toilet solo, thanks. I’ll be skipping the frothy wedding gown in favour of something a little sleeker – perhaps a slip dress or bias-cut column silhouette that’s closer to what I’d normally wear.
Skipping: the ball gown
Skipping: the sweeping train
Skipping: the sweeping train
Shopping: the shorter hem.
Whether you’re clumsy AF (hi, it’s me), or just can’t stand the thought of hiding your shoes, good news – you don’t *actually* have to have a dress with a train. More and more labels are doing wedding-worthy midi dresses – perfect for civil ceremonies that turn into dinner and drinks. Wanna go short short? Designers like Rebecca Vallance and BY JOHNNY. have made polished, party-perfect mini dresses their signature.
Skipping: the veil
Skipping: the veil
Shopping: unexpected accessories.
If I’m getting up at 5am to get my hair professionally done, you bet I’m not about to go cover it with a veil. Instead, I’ll be opting for a hero hair accessory (pearl headband, I’m coming for you…), and a few pieces of fine jewellery to round out the look. The best part? Can wear them all again.
Skipping: the nude heel
Skipping: the nude heel
Shopping: statement shoes.
Look, I get why we do the nude heel. It’s subtle. It’s timeless. It works with just about any wedding ensemble you can imagine. But, as a self-confessed Shoe Girl™, I’m a teensy bit bored. From metallic gold and rich jewel tones to saccharine pastels, the possibilities are practically endless. I’m already eyeing off pairs from Loeffler Randall, By Far and Gia Borghini.
Skipping: matching bridesmaid dresses
Skipping: matching bridesmaid dresses
Shopping: personal style.
There’s nothing worse than being jammed into an outfit that’s just not you, unless it’s being jammed into said outfit and then immortalised in someone’s wedding photos forevermore. You love your wedding party, right? Honour what makes them feel their best by choosing individual silhouettes that speak to their personal style. Concerned about cohesion? Sticking to one colour (or similar shades) will keep the aesthetic looking intentional.
Skipping: full glam
Shopping: natural glow.
While I would trust the right makeup artist with my life, I also know my wedding is not the time to finally take a full smokey eye for a test drive. Instead, I’ll be focusing on nailing my routine between now and then, with glowy ‘my skin but better’ makeup come game day.
Skipping: full glam
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