Nontraditional Traditions for a One-of-a-Kind Wedding Reception
/GENEVIEVE ALLEN
As a Catholic, I love tradition. I knew that when planning our wedding, particularly our wedding Mass, I would incorporate many of the traditions to embody the classic “tale as old as time” feel. When it comes time for the reception, however, there is more room for nontraditional, quirky moments to really make the day special.
PHOTOGRAPHY: BEAUTY OF THE SOUL STUDIO
There are essential traditions in a Catholic wedding, which orient us toward heaven and unite us with God, and nonessential traditions. There is no Canon Law which states you must have a tiered wedding cake! Considering closely the reason behind common wedding customs and choosing traditions you love will ultimately relieve you of stress, delight your guests, and make the day uniquely yours.
If you find yourself wanting a mixture of traditional and distinctive, here are five ways to think creatively about incorporating unique traditions into your wedding reception:
Ask “Why?”
Who says that you have to have a formal cake cutting? If you’ve always imagined feeding your new husband cake in front of all of your guests, go for it! If you are uninterested or uncomfortable about something that’s “always done,” skip it. Lots of modern brides forgo a garter toss, for example. One of my favorite couples decided that they would rather dance all night instead of listening to speeches or having a bouquet toss. Nobody cared that there was no receiving line, and the band played on.
Opposites Attract
A huge source of wedding-planning stress may come from the influence of other weddings you have attended and a perceived expectation. You may find creative inspiration by pursuing the opposite of the norm. If you have only attended a sit-down dinner in the evening, consider a wedding breakfast buffet. It will make a nice change for your guests, it will likely be cheaper, and who doesn’t love bacon?
Offbeat Location
Our wedding reception took place in a bowling alley with a huge bar and a dance floor. The relaxed atmosphere made for a great party. Check out botanical gardens, aquariums, libraries, or backyards.
Personalization
In much of the South, it’s customary to have a “groom’s cake,” which is often a different flavor from the primary wedding cake--and it is decorated to look like something the groom loves. Lots of couples have taken this concept and made it personal. We had donuts, for example, and my sister had a traditional New Orleans’ king cake. One of my favorite iterations of this was a selection of cookies decorated to look like the groom.
DIY Traditions
Many wedding-specific accessories which are curated by an expert are convenient, yet expensive. I always thought wedding flowers had to be prepared by florists until I was a bridesmaid in friend’s wedding; the morning of her wedding, she and her bridesmaids created all of the floral arrangements--the church decor, the boutonnieres, the reception centerpieces, etc. Laughing and drinking mimosas with the bride as I made my own bouquet was one of the best times I’ve ever had as a bridesmaid, and the flowers were beautiful.
About the Author: Genevieve currently practices as a lactation consultant and blogs with her sister Kat Finney for The Sister Post, a blog offering two perspectives on everything from spiritual discernment to baby gear. Genevieve and her husband Dalton began dating on the feast of St. Joseph. They have two children.