Millennials are the generation of rapid technological advances where the grind of everyday life digitally evolves into new and exciting events. Never before were we so obsessed with taking pictures of our food before we eat it, or the never-ending barrage of “selfies.”

Millennials are still getting married, though, and the wedding industry continues to play a major role in this modern universe. Traditional weddings filled with symbolism, rituals and pageantry are not completely obsolete, but Millennials prefer to make their own rules rather than following in the footsteps of others. Here are some new twists on old traditions that you can try for your wedding.

THE WEDDING DRESS

Something Old:The bride must wear white to symbolize innocence and purity.

Something New:  Individualism has become more prominent now than ever before. Rules are made to be broken, and here’s your first chance. There is no law that your dress must be white – or even off-white, so If you feel more confident in red, or green, or even black, go for it!

THE BRIDE AND THE GROOM

Something Old: The groom isn’t allowed to see the bride before the ceremony. This tradition dates back to the time of arranged marriages and the belief that the groom may back out of the wedding if he saw the bride before they wed.

Something New:  Many modern brides doesn’t feel the need to wait until the wedding day for their other half to see them in that beautiful wedding gown, in fact, some even take them dress shopping! Try a compromise by saving the first look for a candid, intimate photo of the two of them together before the ceremony.

BRIDAL PARTY

Something Old: The bridal party must match. This tradition actually comes from the idea of the bridesmaids dressing alike to distract and confuse evil spirits.

Something New: People come in all shapes and sizes and a dress that looks flattering on one person can look awkward on someone else. Consider letting your bridesmaids choose their own dresses, or alternatively, choose a color and let each one select the style of dress they wish that matches their tastes and personality.

ENGAGEMENT RING

Something Old: Engagement rings should be diamonds. Again, evil spirits come into play with this tradition as diamonds and gold were thought to ward them off.

Something New: For the modern day bride, that girl who either loves nature, the city, the comforts of her own home, the introverts and extroverts. This piece of jewelry becomes more of what suites your character. This is a piece of jewelry that you’ll wear every day for the rest of your life, so make it something you love.

WEDDING CAKE

Something Old: Cutting the cake.  This tradition often leads to either the bride or the groom shoving the cake in the other’s mouth and making a giant mess to start the reception.

Something New: Traditional tiered cakes are beautiful and fun, but there are other options as well.  Some weddings have cupcakes, cheesecakes, pies or even self-serve sundaes for their guests.

FIRST DANCE

Something Old: The first dance being slow and sentimental. This is a fine tradition for some people, but not everyone is the “slow-dance” type.

Something New: Get the party started and set the tone for the evening with a tango or salsa. If you don’t know how, this is a perfect excuse to take a few lessons before the big day. If you start the night off right, it may not cool down until the sun comes up!

BOUQUETT TOSS

Something Old: The bouquet toss. We’ve all been a part of a less-than-enthusiastic group awaiting a bouquet or garter toss. It’s silly and fun in some circles, but it’s also a bit awkward to be called out to the dance floor just for being single.  

Something New: Save the bouquet and spare your guests from potential embarrassment by giving the flowers to you parents or someone special in your life. This will also reduce the chances of having your reception appear on an episode of America’s Funniest Videos should the toss go awry.

TOAST

Something Old: The best man and maid (matron) of honor making a toast. Some people are very well spoken and really know how to work a room. Not everyone enjoys doing this, however, and this opens up an opportunity for an awkward or embarrassing start to the evening.

Something New: Use this opportunity to make a toast to everyone in attendance by thanking them and letting them know how much you appreciate them being a part of your special day. It’s a nice way to honor everyone in case you miss a chance to thank them personally later on.

SIGNATURE COCKTAIL

Something Old: An open bar. Weddings are expensive, and booze isn’t cheap.

Something New: One fairly new trend that has become very popular is having a “signature” cocktail for your guests. Doing this can cut your catering bill tremendously. It’s the best of both worlds because you don’t have to waste money stocking a full bar, but you still give your guests options for free drinks. A signature cocktail along with beer and wine is totally acceptable for nearly every reception.

No matter what your budget, your wedding doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s wedding. It certainly doesn’t have to be a “run-of-the-mill” event. Your wedding day is the one day that’s all about you and your partner, so make sure it reflects your personalities. Traditions are great, but don’t be afraid to break them. This is the time to make your own rules! Not only will it make your wedding day fun and memorable, it will make it a unique event that your guests will remember for a long time.