As far as traditions go, weddings are as traditional as they come. These days however, millennial couples have re-written the wedding tradition to fit their technology-dependent and slightly ironic lifestyles. When it comes to their big day, millennial couples push boundaries, are innovative and highly creative, and put new spins on old customs. Read on to find out how millennials do it:
1. The wedding has an official hashtag.
Hashtags are usually used to identify a keyword of a topic and make it easier for it to be searchable online, hence allowing the post-wedding photo compilation task to be doable. #PromDateToLifemate, OneHaleOfAWedding, #CruzSquared The list of official wedding hashtags goes on from the wittiest to the most ridiculous.
2. Pinterest-inspired props and layouts are everywhere.
The internet and social media are huge parts of any true millennial’s lifestyle, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that they utilize it to choose pegs for their wedding. Pinterest has a plethora of ideas for table centerpieces, wedding cakes, bridal gowns, etc. You name it, it’s got it.
3. The cinematic SDE is one of the event highlights.
The Same Day Edit video pretty much sums up what goes down
at the wedding from the prep, to the pre-wedding primping, to the reception dance party-with an extra touch of dramatic flourish. Lush landscapes, slow-mo scenes, epic drone overhead shots-it’s a blockbuster of a production.
4. Digital invites versus snail mail invites.
Remember when brides kept stressing out about sending dozens
of physical invites through the post office, or getting anxiety attacks over printing and paper selection back in the day? Well, these days, some couples opt for the less stressful and more cost efficient e-vites (electronic invites) or even just a simple Facebook Event Page to let guests know the details of their big day.
5. They’re into mixing up the entourage.
It is not unheard of to have a “Dog of Honor” (i.e. the bride or groom’s pet pooch) walk down the aisle. Or Bridesmen, for that
matter.
6. The bride can march to her own drum.
Or rather… tune. For years, Mendelssohn’s “Wedding March” was strictly the song to walk down the aisle to. Not anymore. Nowadays, it could be anything from a string quartet rendition of Christina Perri’s “A Thousand Years” or Ed Sheeran’s “Thinking Out Loud,” or any song the bride wants, really.
7. Themes are a huge thing.
A Star Wars wedding? A Zombie reception? A Game of Thrones feast? You name it, millennials have done it. Pop culture is a gigantic portion of a millennial’s life, thus some couples opt to celebrate their wedding day in line with their favorite pop culture references.
8. The proposal is almost as flashy as the wedding itself.
Wedding proposals used to be a private moment between the bride and groom. Not anymore. Millennials love their extravagant proposals. A flash mob. A public fireworks display. A billboard announcement. All documented and uploaded on social media, of course. And for those who missed seeing how the bride-to-be said “Yes,” don’t worry. There will probably be a
video of all the highlights from the day of the proposal during the wedding reception.
9. The bridal dress can be anything the bride wants it to be.
Sometimes, it doesn’t even have to be a dress at all. Millennial brides have walked down the aisle in pantsuits. Some millennial
brides also opt to ditch the usual white frocks and go for grey, pink, red or whatever color they fancy. Which is great because sometimes long gowns with even longer trains are not the easiest things to walk around in.
10. Adding a twist to the dress code.
There is still usually a color motif, but millennial couples sometimes allow their guests to show up in something they’re actually comfortable in, like pairing long gowns or tuxedos with sneakers. Some more, err, demanding couples require guests to come in costume in line with the wedding theme. All in good fun, of course!
Text by: Yasha Barretto