The Modern Party
Why we’re all about Bridesmen and Groomswomen.
It’s no secret that more and more couples are choosing to push outdated and irrelevant wedding traditions to the sidelines, favouring personalised celebrations that truly reflect who they are and what they love and cherish. With all other aspects of the wedding day being given a good zhuzh, why should the bridal party be any different?
By all means, if you’re a bride whose closest friends and family are all female, then absolutely have all bridesmaids, but if your fiancé wants his sister in the bridal party, why can’t she be a part of his side – a groomswoman, if you will. Or, if you’re just not feeling the whole bridal party thing at all, completely do away with a bridal party. After all, the day is about you as a couple and celebrating your love with the most important people in your life, however that suits you. WHY DO WE HAVE THEM ANYWAY? The Western traditions of the bridal party dates back to the times of the Ancient Romans, when marriages had to be witnessed by 10 people. The bridesmaids all had to dress like the bride, to confuse evil spirits who might want to harm the newlyweds. Safe to say neither of these reflect most sentiments of the modern day, but either way, the tradition of the bridal party has stuck around.
So the take away from all this? Anything goes! Don’t feel like you need to go with the norm just to adhere to an outdated tradition. Do what feels right for you as a couple – it is your day after all.
Flick to Jason and Jeff’s real wedding, on page 66, who didn’t worry about bridal party gender roles, and Idelia and Ram’s wedding, on page 55, who decided they didn’t need a bridal party at all!