What to omit from the wedding reception

Planning a wedding can be an all day obsession for some brides. Finding out there is more to a wedding than choosing linen colors and flower arrangements is often an eye-opening experience.  Many brides will worry over proper etiquette and protocol and try to include some longstanding traditions into the day's events. But, there a few of these customs that can honestly be left out and will certainly never be missed. 

A common tradition is the garter belt. It's not exactly comfortable to have your husband's head buried under your dress while he removes the garter and can be somewhat embarrassing for the bride with everyone looking on. 

The bouquet toss is another practice which can also be abandoned. Quite often posing a possible threat to physical injury, it may offend and even hurt the feelings of the single women in the room.  Instead of budgeting for a tossing bouquet, use the funds to increase the limit on your bouquet.  

Skipping these conventional wedding reception rituals can be very beneficial to couples planning their wedding on a tighter budget. You can actually trim time off the reception event or even have more time available for dancing. 

Instead, opt for a way to celebrate marriage. That is, after all, why you are hosting the wedding reception. Perhaps an honorary mention to those who have been married the longest or maybe a special acknowledgement to the new in-laws.  

When one tradition leaves, another is usually there to takes it place. A relatively new trend that many brides are considering is the “Trash the Dress” session in the weeks following the wedding.