Wedding traditions are fun but they just aren't for everyone. From the rings to the vows to dancing the night away, there is a particular "Itinerary of Events" that every couple is expected to follow on their wedding day. But I am here to tell you, that there are some traditions that can totally be thrown out.

Choose what you like and toss what you don't!

1. The Wedding Cake

A tiered cake is one of the symbols of a wedding. But I've come to learn, that not that many people really love cake. Never have I ever seen an entire cake eaten at a wedding and to make matters worse, brides and grooms often tell me that they are not fans of cake either. So the hours and hours of hard work are (literally) tossed down the drain.

So why not come up with something fun that you and your guests will all actually enjoy! Find some of our favorite wedding cake alternatives here!

2. Wedding Favors

Just like the cake, the wedding favors are left there on the table at the end of the night. So if you don't have the budget for them or you can't think of something that your guests will actually want to take home, then what's the use?

I mean, you have provided them a night of delicious dinner and dancing. So that's enough in my eyes!

3. Menu Cards

There are four possible options when it comes to the meal on your wedding day:

1. Your guests have told you what their meal choice is via your RSVP cards.
2. You are having a buffet so guests get to choose what they want that evening.
3. Your meal is being served family-style so everyone gets everything.
4. You have a plated meal but everyone is getting the same thing!

I can't seem to find one single reason why someone would need a menu. Wasted money anyone?

4. Daddy walking you down the aisle

Not everyone has a dad who is living, a dad who is part of their lives, or a dad who is an influential person to her. So why would you have someone "give you away" to your new husband who you don't love, cherish, and look up to? If that person isn't your biological dad, then throw that tradition right out the window and choose someone else. Or just walk by yourself!

5. The Wedding Party

You don't have to have a Best Man and you don't have to have a Maid of Honor. You don't have to have a flower girl and you don't have to have a ring bearer. In fact, you aren't required to have a wedding party at all!

Yes, it's fun but it does cost money. And there could be stress and jealousy and plenty of other factors that get in the way of that fun!

6. Matchy-Matchy

Two words: color palette.

Your bridesmaids dresses don't have to match (because we all look good in different styles), your flowers don't have to perfectly match the bows on the chairs, and your tablecloths don't have to match your ceremony chairs.

Choose a color palette rather than a color. Because in my eyes, those different shades really bring a wedding to life!

7. The First Look

Long goes the tradition where the groom sees the bride for the first time as she walks down the aisle. While this was something that was very important to myself and my husband (we did first touch photos instead), there are a million reasons why a first look has its advantages:

- Raw emotions are captured (aka he may not cry with all of those eyes on him at the ceremony)
- You get to spend some quality time alone.
- You get to take all of your photos BEFORE the wedding so you can enjoy the rest!
- Cocktail hour anyone? If you are excited about those appetizers, then choose a first look!

8. Reception Traditions

The first dance, garter toss, bouquet toss, mother-son dance, father-daughter dance...and the list goes on. These are all "activities" that you would expect to see at a wedding but if any make you feel uncomfortable (ahemm...garter removal), they ix-nay them right away!