So it’s wedding season (obviously right?), well I’ve been seeing a few posts by others about all the wedding traditions that they aren’t doing. I thought that it would be fun to do the same.

1. No save the dates – I already talked about this one in quite some depth.
2. No receiving line – the ceremony and reception are at the same place, and there’s just no convenient way to do it so we aren’t. I never really liked them anyway.
3. Non religious ceremony – This is probably the biggest non-traditional thing we are doing. While we were raised catholic for the most part (my religious history is a bit scattered) we have decided to have a friend become ordained in order to legally marry us. The ceremony will be off the cuff, non religious and very simple. It’s exactly what we want.
4. Non-traditional guest book – I think this is becoming a thing, but I’m listing it anyway. I’ll be sure to share my guest book when I get around to actually doing it.
5. No champagne toast – I don’t think this is necessary, it’s just and added cost. Especially since everyone will already have their cocktail of choice in hand. Half the stuff doesn’t even get drunk!
6. I’m nixing “Here Comes the Bride” – I love Ave Maria so that will be played/sung instead.
7. A desert table instead of a cake – I never really liked cake, plus we save on the cutting fees with a desert table. It helps that my aunt and step mom are pretty much pastry chef’s also. We are going to have a small cake to cut and save for our anniversary, but that’s it.
8. I didn’t register for fine china, silver, towels, or linens – There’s probably 10 types of china sitting in my grandmas basement from old relatives, we prefer casual dining, I think storing extra stuff to use it once a year is silly, and a million other reasons not to get china and silver. Why towels and linens? We have been living together for nearly 4 years we have things we like, I don’t need doubles and triples of stuff just because.
9. No fancy exit – That means no birdseed, rice, sparklers, bubbles etc., we are trying to reduce the awkward factor here by just sneaking out when we feel like it.
10. No bouquet toss – And subsequently no garter toss. The whole thing always made me feel awkward. I mean it’s fine for some, but I want no one going up my skirt for any reason in front of my family thank you. As for the bouquet I just personally think its kind of overdone, and not everyone gets married these days and a million other reasons, so no just no.
11. I ordered my dress offline and made the alterations myself – This is just my style, when all is said and done my dress and all its accessories will cost under $200. This is just my opinion, but spending excessive money on a dress that is worn once and then takes up closet space seems silly and frivolous. My dress was cheap, it won’t wrinkle or stain, I can move in it, and I feel beautiful in it. What more do you need?
12. I’m not wearing shoes – I hate shoes. I usually sit at my work desk without them, and take the off as soon as I get anywhere. Most of the summer I don’t wear them and most weddings I hide them under the table to dance. Does anyone keep their shoes on during a wedding? I’ll have a pair of flip flops around for outside portions of the evening and pictures in the trees, but otherwise I might just wear a cute bohemian slipper. I’m working on making it now, so don’t worry I’ll post that one soon as well.
13. I’m letting the girls pick their own dresses – this might be a “new tradition” but seriously I’m not into over thinking every stupid detail. I just want my girls there, happy and comfy.
14. I chose mix matched table linens – If the girls aren’t going to match then there’s no reason everything else has to.

Phew! I didn’t realize how much of a hippy I am until I wrote this all out. I’m kind of shirking a lot of traditions here and I don’t even feel bad. This wedding is going to be everything that Chuck and I want. It is the laid back affair that is reminiscent of us, and our lifestyles. It’s definitely not everyone’s cup of tea that’s for sure, but it’s ours and I couldn’t be happier about it.