March 18, 2025

Wedding traditions – should they stay or should they go now?

May your day be as bright as your green beer and as warm as a fresh loaf of soda bread! Now, let’s talk weddings—because, honestly, who doesn’t love a good wedding rant? It’s 2025, and I think it’s time we put a few outdated wedding traditions to rest. You know, the ones that make you cringe harder than an awkward family reunion. So grab your shamrock shake (or, like, whatever you’re drinking) and let’s dive in.

*1) The ‘Ball and Chain’ GagCan we stop pretending that married life is a prison sentence? I mean, come on. If we’re really going to keep acting like married couples are locked in a battle of misery, we should probably just rename weddings “The Great Escape.” Grooms, stop acting like you’re being tied down and brides, please, for the love of cupcakes, don’t refer to yourselves as a “ball and chain.” It’s 2025, let’s celebrate love, not drag it through the mud.

**2) The Garter TossThis one needs to die a horrible, cringe-worthy death. Why? It’s not cute, it’s not funny, and it’s definitely not progressive. We’re throwing this tradition in the trash along with our exes, okay? It makes for cute pictures but that’s about it.

**3) Bachelorette/Bachelor Parties That Are Basically Humiliation FestsIs it just me, or are these parties more about embarrassing the bride/groom than celebrating them? I’m all for a good time, but let’s leave the strip clubs and shame spirals for another day, shall we? The idea that you need to get your soon-to-be-married friend totally drunk for their last “wild night” is just… sad. Let’s call it what it is: a friendship ender. Cheers to better, less horrifying parties!

**4) The ‘Giving Away’ of the Bride It’s 2025. Let’s not pretend that a father giving away his daughter is still some sort of fairytale where women are “property.” Women are not assets to be transferred. If you’re still holding onto this tradition, you can keep it, but we’re not passing go or collecting $200 on this one. We’ve moved on—so should the wedding ceremony.

**5) Marriage is only between a man and a woman. Is it though?

This One’s PersonalOkay, here’s one that really hits home for me. I’ve photographed countless weddings where the officiant or pastor announces that marriage is only between a man and a woman. Seriously? It’s 2025, people. Despite what’s going on in politics or society, same-sex marriages are happening—and yes, gay people are still falling in love and getting married! Even if your ceremony is traditional and between a man and a woman, remember that there might be LGBTQ+ guests in attendance, and hearing this outdated message can make them feel uncomfortable or excluded. As someone who is gay myself, it always makes my stomach twist a little when I hear this. It’s not just old-fashioned, it’s hurtful. Let’s keep things inclusive and modern, people!

**6) Cake Smashing

Look, if you’re planning on smashing cake into your partner’s face, just… don’t. It’s not funny, it’s not cute, it’s just a mess. You’re probably ruining their hair, makeup, and dress, and let’s be honest, no one looks cute with frosting in their hair. How about a cute, tender bite instead of an assault with a slice of cake? Seems better, right?

**7) The Bride’s Family Paying for Everything
Why is this still a thing? Do two people not get married anymore, or are we still pretending this is the 1950s? Both partners should contribute to the cost of the wedding. Or, hear me out, how about you pay for your own wedding? That way, no one feels weird, and we don’t have a weird financial power struggle on top of wedding stress.

**8) The ‘Wives, Submit’ Vows
Ugh. Please, no. We’re not living in the 1800s anymore. Vows like “submit yourself to your husband” are beyond outdated. Marriage is a partnership, not a power struggle. So, let’s leave the patriarchal nonsense behind in favor of something more mutually respectful, shall we?

**9) “Man and Wife” Ending
Here’s the thing: why does the groom get to be a man and the bride only a wife? Why not just “husband and wife” or “husband and husband” or “wife and wife”? Also, just throw in a “I now pronounce you married,” and call it a day. It’s 2025, y’all—let’s use language that doesn’t make people feel weird.

**10) The Perfect Wedding Debt Spiral
Listen, I get it. You want the perfect wedding. But unless you’re planning on selling organs to afford it, let’s focus on the essentials: great food, great booze, and a killer photographer (hint: I’m available). Don’t bankrupt yourselves for a wedding that lasts a few hours. Instead, invest in experiences that will actually last.

**11) Giant Wedding Parties
Who needs 25 bridesmaids and 15 groomsmen? Honestly, wrangling that many people into a single photo sounds is my personal nightmare. Let’s keep the wedding party intimate: Best man, maid of honor, maybe a flower girl, or—plot twist—a dog with rings. The fewer people you have to herd, the less stress for everyone. Plus, it makes for better photos. Plus there’s always at least ONE bridesmaid or groomsmen who doesn’t want to be there and will bark orders at the photographer to “hurry up”. Boy, can they throw off the vibe!

**12) The ‘Last Fling Before the Ring’ Mentality
You don’t need to get all your “wildness” out before the wedding. If you’re planning on cheating on your partner as a “fun pre-wedding ritual,” maybe you should reconsider the whole thing. Weddings should be about love and commitment, not about some weird ritual of “getting it out of your system.” If you can’t commit before the wedding, maybe you’re not ready for the wedding at all. Just saying.

**13) Inviting Everyone You’ve Ever Met
Your wedding isn’t a Facebook friend request come to life. It’s not a free-for-all. You don’t need to invite your 8th grade PE teacher or the guy who sold you a hot dog at a concert 10 years ago. Just invite the people who matter to you. Seriously, they’ll appreciate it—and so will you when you’re not spending the whole wedding wondering who the heck that guy in the corner is.

**14) The Money Dance
Oh, this is the worst. Asking your guests to pay for a dance is not only tacky, it’s awkward for everyone. The only thing that should be paying for a dance is your unbridled love for each other, not your guests’ wallets. Let’s leave this tradition in the past, where it belongs. It lacks class, and let’s be real—it’s weird.

Alright, there you have it, folks! Some traditions are better left behind, like the mullet or VHS tapes. What wedding traditions do you think should becanceledin 2025? Drop them in the comments—let’s make wedding planning less of a cringe-fest and more about celebrating love and joy!

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9024

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9024

9024

Happy St. Patty’s Day, You Lovely Humans! 🍀

May your day be as bright as your green beer and as warm as a fresh loaf of soda bread! Now, let’s talk weddings—because, honestly, who doesn’t love a good wedding rant? It’s 2025, and I think it’s time we put a few outdated wedding traditions to rest. You know, the ones that make you cringe harder than an awkward family reunion. So grab your shamrock shake (or, like, whatever you’re drinking) and let’s dive in.

*1) The ‘Ball and Chain’ Gag
Can we stop pretending that married life is a prison sentence? I mean, come on. If we’re really going to keep acting like married couples are locked in a battle of misery, we should probably just rename weddings “The Great Escape.” Grooms, stop acting like you’re being tied down and brides, please, for the love of cupcakes, don’t refer to yourselves as a “ball and chain.” It’s 2025, let’s celebrate love, not drag it through the mud.

**2) The Garter Toss
This one needs to die a horrible, cringe-worthy death. Why? It’s not cute, it’s not funny, and it’s definitely not progressive. We’re throwing this tradition in the trash along with our exes, okay? It makes for cute pictures but that’s about it.

**3) Bachelorette/Bachelor Parties That Are Basically Humiliation Fests
Is it just me, or are these parties more about embarrassing the bride/groom than celebrating them? I’m all for a good time, but let’s leave the strip clubs and shame spirals for another day, shall we? The idea that you need to get your soon-to-be-married friend totally drunk for their last “wild night” is just… sad. Let’s call it what it is: a friendship ender. Cheers to better, less horrifying parties!

**4) The ‘Giving Away’ of the Bride
It’s 2025. Let’s not pretend that a father giving away his daughter is still some sort of fairytale where women are “property.” Women are not assets to be transferred. If you’re still holding onto this tradition, you can keep it, but we’re not passing go or collecting $200 on this one. We’ve moved on—so should the wedding ceremony.

**5) Marriage is only between a man and a woman. Is it though?

This One’s Personal
Okay, here’s one that really hits home for me. I’ve photographed countless weddings where the officiant or pastor announces that marriage is only between a man and a woman. Seriously? It’s 2025, people. Despite what’s going on in politics or society, same-sex marriages are happening—and yes, gay people are still falling in love and getting married! Even if your ceremony is traditional and between a man and a woman, remember that there might be LGBTQ+ guests in attendance, and hearing this outdated message can make them feel uncomfortable or excluded. As someone who is gay myself, it always makes my stomach twist a little when I hear this. It’s not just old-fashioned, it’s hurtful. Let’s keep things inclusive and modern, people!

 
**6) Cake Smashing

Look, if you’re planning on smashing cake into your partner’s face, just… don’t. It’s not funny, it’s not cute, it’s just a mess. You’re probably ruining their hair, makeup, and dress, and let’s be honest, no one looks cute with frosting in their hair. How about a cute, tender bite instead of an assault with a slice of cake? Seems better, right?

**7) The Bride’s Family Paying for Everything
Why is this still a thing? Do two people not get married anymore, or are we still pretending this is the 1950s? Both partners should contribute to the cost of the wedding. Or, hear me out, how about you pay for your own wedding? That way, no one feels weird, and we don’t have a weird financial power struggle on top of wedding stress.

**8) The ‘Wives, Submit’ Vows
Ugh. Please, no. We’re not living in the 1800s anymore. Vows like “submit yourself to your husband” are beyond outdated. Marriage is a partnership, not a power struggle. So, let’s leave the patriarchal nonsense behind in favor of something more mutually respectful, shall we?

**9) “Man and Wife” Ending
Here’s the thing: why does the groom get to be a man and the bride only a wife? Why not just “husband and wife” or “husband and husband” or “wife and wife”? Also, just throw in a “I now pronounce you married,” and call it a day. It’s 2025, y’all—let’s use language that doesn’t make people feel weird.

**10) The Perfect Wedding Debt Spiral
Listen, I get it. You want the perfect wedding. But unless you’re planning on selling organs to afford it, let’s focus on the essentials: great food, great booze, and a killer photographer (hint: I’m available). Don’t bankrupt yourselves for a wedding that lasts a few hours. Instead, invest in experiences that will actually last.

**11) Giant Wedding Parties
Who needs 25 bridesmaids and 15 groomsmen? Honestly, wrangling that many people into a single photo sounds is my personal nightmare. Let’s keep the wedding party intimate: Best man, maid of honor, maybe a flower girl, or—plot twist—a dog with rings. The fewer people you have to herd, the less stress for everyone. Plus, it makes for better photos. Plus there’s always at least ONE bridesmaid or groomsmen who doesn’t want to be there and will bark orders at the photographer to “hurry up”. Boy, can they throw off the vibe!

**12) The ‘Last Fling Before the Ring’ Mentality
You don’t need to get all your “wildness” out before the wedding. If you’re planning on cheating on your partner as a “fun pre-wedding ritual,” maybe you should reconsider the whole thing. Weddings should be about love and commitment, not about some weird ritual of “getting it out of your system.” If you can’t commit before the wedding, maybe you’re not ready for the wedding at all. Just saying.

**13) Inviting Everyone You’ve Ever Met
Your wedding isn’t a Facebook friend request come to life. It’s not a free-for-all. You don’t need to invite your 8th grade PE teacher or the guy who sold you a hot dog at a concert 10 years ago. Just invite the people who matter to you. Seriously, they’ll appreciate it—and so will you when you’re not spending the whole wedding wondering who the heck that guy in the corner is.

**14) The Money Dance
Oh, this is the worst. Asking your guests to pay for a dance is not only tacky, it’s awkward for everyone. The only thing that should be paying for a dance is your unbridled love for each other, not your guests’ wallets. Let’s leave this tradition in the past, where it belongs. It lacks class, and let’s be real—it’s weird.

Alright, there you have it, folks! Some traditions are better left behind, like the mullet or VHS tapes. What wedding traditions do you think should be canceled in 2025? Drop them in the comments—let’s make wedding planning less of a cringe-fest and more about celebrating love and joy!

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