2018 August PASO Magazine

Let’s talk about trends and
traditions. When planning
By Azurae Shults a wedding there are tons
of decisions to consider when it
comes to traditions. Many options
are just trends, but some have been around since ancient Roman
times. Every few years the shift changes and I find clients teetering
between trends and traditions.
Trends in attire, ceremonies and receptions are constantly evolving.
Pop culture and the latest celeb wedding play into these shifts.
A tradition typically sticks around wedding culture much longer.
Traditions tends to have more family influence and historical merit
and what’s interesting about traditions is that a lot of them are being
replaced by trends.
Have you ever asked where did these wedding traditions come
from? Why do brides toss their bouquet? Why do you wear a wedding
ring? Why do we save the top of our cake? Are these traditions
important to you?
Here are some facts about wedding traditions we all know so well.
Bridal parties developed in ancient Rome. Bridesmaids dressed like
the bride to help confuse evil spirits who may try to kidnap her. The
groomsmen dressed alike to help abduct the bride if she was unwilling
to get married. Now bridal parties wear similar clothes to represent
friendship and support. My how times have changed! Trends today
include having a man of honor or a grooms-woman. Couples are now
opting for no bridal party at all and some even ask their parents or
their favorite pet to stand in as maid of honor and best man!
Have you ever wondered why the bride tosses her bouquet at the
end of the night? Ancient folklore says this tradition began as a way
for the bride to escape the single women at her wedding who would
rip off pieces of her flowers or dress to keep for good luck. Everyone
wanted to be married back then! If you’re not a fan of this tradition
try gifting the bouquet to a special friend or relative or have your
florist place a single stem at each single woman’s place setting with a
special note.
How about the placement of the ring? Romans believed the vein
in the third finger of your left hand ran directly to your heart. A ring
on that finger was symbolic of a couple’s love. A circle is thought to
have no beginning and no end- hence the symbolism of the wedding
ring. While the diamond is best known for bridal jewelry new styles
are becoming trendy. Sapphires, rubies and even yellow diamonds are
making the cut now!
How about the crazy tradition of saving the top layer of your wedding
cake for a year? 19th Century couples saved the cake for their
first child’s christening. Couples wait longer to have kids now so the
tradition is losing popularity. New dessert trends like smaller cakes,
ice cream, donuts, bite sized dessert bars, s’mores stations and even
boozy milkshakes are becoming more popular! If you insist on keeping
with tradition- have your baker make you a fresh cake on your
anniversary and avoid eating freezer burned slices!
Whether you favor trends or traditions planning a wedding is an
opportunity to share things that are important to you and reflect your
style. Have some fun with it! Happy planning!
HAVE A WEDDING QUESTION ?
Email me at hello@cielbleuevents.com
Azurae Shults | Ciel Bleu Event Design
www.cielbleuevents.com
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