Wedding Customs - Changes Over Time
Many wedding customs have experienced ongoing changes over time. Many traditions and customs for a standard wedding, although they still remain an important part of society, have dramatically changed during the last fifty years and are bound to continue to change in future as well. Whether it is location of the ceremony, reception or attire for bride, there has been remarkable changes that have occurred. Many would comment the changes that have taken place in weddings over the years are positive ones.
The very first thing that all of us must have noticed is that the general acceptance of having a ceremony in a less traditional setting has changed. In the past, for example, people would as a standard choose a church for their wedding. The church service would be followed by a small reception for all friends and family members. Today of course it is not mandatory to have a ceremony in a church and many couples prefer not to for various reasons. In ages past, parents and other family members of the couple used to make most all of the wedding arrangements and pay for it. As a standard only clergy from their local church, synagogue or place of worship would marry wedding couples. But due to the changes in faith and outlook regarding religious belief, people are choosing other means of tying the knot.
Due to these changes, it has become more accepted to have the ceremony at a location other than a church and hire a wedding minister or other official who is licensed to marry in their state. For instance, now there are many ministers who travel and perform on location weddings. This also includes civil commissioners, judges and Rabbi's who are willing to travel to reception halls and venues that stray away from the traditions of the past. This is a welcoming change to many couples who do not have a church or affiliate with one particular denominational faith.
Wedding Receptions
Traditionally receptions were to be held at the church where the wedding took place. People now choose lavish hotels, banquets and even beaches as the reception venue, so that they can have fun and do all the dancing at the same venue that the ceremony took place at. First, the ceremony is completed and after a short break of an hour or so for pictures with family and friends, they start the reception. This allows couples the option of having the ceremony and the reception all in one venue. These choices also allow for the best of decor, music and other wedding elements to accommodate guests and ceremony and make it easier for the guests so that they don't have to travel from a church to a reception hall after the ceremony.
Bridal Wear
Another significant change can be seen in the bridal wear for weddings. Gone are the days when brides used to wear only white gowns. As the years have passed trends for bridal dress styles have transitioned greatly. Where a white bridal dress was considered a standard of the past in a wedding, now there are a lot of options available. Right from the pastel shades to bright hues of blue, brides are liberally choosing their favorite colors for this big day. As the meaning of colors has changed, so does their usage. The importance of bridal veil has also transitioned in these modern times. Traditionally, the veil has been used on the wedding day as a standard. The use of the veil is still popular however some brides wear it and others choose not to. The original color of veil was also white, but now these are also of matching colors with the gown.
Gender Roles
The traditional gender roles of the wedding bridal party attendants have changed as well. For instance the role that the attendants play has changed. Bridal couples no longer choose their bridal party according to their gender. In fact, they go for somebody who understands them well and feel that will really suit best to this role. A lady can choose a male who happens to be her best friend, a male cousin or brother and a man can choose likewise. So, there are no gender constraints and the bride and groom are free to choose anyone they want to.
Wedding Traditions Have Changed Over The Years
These are just a few of the wedding traditions that have changed greatly over the years. Certainly as time progresses we will see more changes as our cultures change. However, I think the tradition of the marriage ceremony, reception, wedding attire and long cherished customs will continue on. No doubt wedding traditions will certainly keep changing and adapting to modern societal influences.
