29 Sep Wedding traditions that are made to be broken [Singapore Edition]
Are you having a hard time coping with the wedding traditions you’re expected to follow? Let’s look at the most common wedding traditions in Singapore that are made to be broken!
Not only are weddings a celebration of the love between you and your partner, it can also be a celebration of history and culture. There are many wedding traditions that you’ll be expected to include for your big day. While most of these traditions bear some form of significance, they may not be relevant or absolutely necessary to include in a modern wedding. We’ve picked out the most common wedding traditions that are okay to break away from, especially if they hold no particular meaning for you.
Not only are weddings a celebration of the love between you and your partner, it can also be a celebration of history and culture. There are many wedding traditions that you’ll be expected to include for your big day. While most of these traditions bear some form of significance, they may not be relevant or absolutely necessary to include in a modern wedding. We’ve picked out the most common wedding traditions that are okay to break away from, especially if they hold no particular meaning for you.
1. You can’t choose your engagement ring
Choosing your own engagement ring is becoming a much more popular route to go down. The first question asked to a newly engaged couple is now ‘did you choose the ring yourself?’
There are really no rules when it comes to engagement rings and more and more brides-to-be are picking out their own. For so many couples, this can be a really wonderful experience to experience together as a couple.
Download our Ultimate Guide to Wedding Planning to know more about the different types of diamond cuts including what kind of cut matches your personality!
There are really no rules when it comes to engagement rings and more and more brides-to-be are picking out their own. For so many couples, this can be a really wonderful experience to experience together as a couple.
Download our Ultimate Guide to Wedding Planning to know more about the different types of diamond cuts including what kind of cut matches your personality!
2. Hotel weddings are a must
There are no set rules on the choice of your wedding venue. Where you choose to hold your wedding depends on your budget and the kind of wedding you have in mind. Hotel weddings are great for couples who are looking for a more formal venue that can accommodate a large guestlist while intimate venues are perfect for couples who prefer a cosier, more personable wedding in a carefree setting.
Whether you decide on a hotel ballroom wedding or an intimate celebration depends on your preference and the kind of experience you would like your guests to have, this can also be dictated by the current COVID restrictions which have influenced new trends in weddings. Read our article 5 reasons to have an intimate non-hotel wedding in Singapore if you are interested in slashing down your guestlist.
Whether you decide on a hotel ballroom wedding or an intimate celebration depends on your preference and the kind of experience you would like your guests to have, this can also be dictated by the current COVID restrictions which have influenced new trends in weddings. Read our article 5 reasons to have an intimate non-hotel wedding in Singapore if you are interested in slashing down your guestlist.
3. You have to wear a white wedding gown
White wedding gowns are considered a symbol of purity and enable brides to stand out on their big day.
Traditionally brides will choose between different shades of white for their wedding. White is a brighter, purer shade, while ivory is a softer shade with yellow undertones. Pure white is the brightest hue because it isn’t mixed with any other colors.
However, if you’re a more modern bride, you might want to consider some coloured alternatives. Read our article 5 ALTERNATIVE WEDDING DRESSES FOR THE UNEXPECTED to get some more inspiration.
Traditionally brides will choose between different shades of white for their wedding. White is a brighter, purer shade, while ivory is a softer shade with yellow undertones. Pure white is the brightest hue because it isn’t mixed with any other colors.
However, if you’re a more modern bride, you might want to consider some coloured alternatives. Read our article 5 ALTERNATIVE WEDDING DRESSES FOR THE UNEXPECTED to get some more inspiration.
4. Your dress must be floor-length with a long train
There are a lot of factors that come into play when considering dress trains and styles. Everything from your dress’s silhouette to the formality of the day to the venue setting, and even the photography mood you’re looking to achieve, can play a part in the decision.
For example, The short wedding dresses assortment below features all the dresses that tend to draw your eye. They are a mix of mini bridal gowns for the modern brides who are planning a summer wedding or a beach wedding. Match the sexy mini length wedding dress with statement accessories to create an ‘all-eyes-on-me’ look on your big day.
For example, The short wedding dresses assortment below features all the dresses that tend to draw your eye. They are a mix of mini bridal gowns for the modern brides who are planning a summer wedding or a beach wedding. Match the sexy mini length wedding dress with statement accessories to create an ‘all-eyes-on-me’ look on your big day.
5. Your bridesmaids have to wear matching dresses
Brides can choose to have one coherent look for their bridesmaids or to mix and match dresses for a more varied, multidimensional, layered aesthetic. Get their ideas on it too, as not every bridesmaid will be built the same way so make sure that they will also be comfortable on your big day.
Pro-tip: Make sure you have chosen your own dress before deciding on the bridesmaids dresses so you can have a full picture of the aesthetic.
Pro-tip: Make sure you have chosen your own dress before deciding on the bridesmaids dresses so you can have a full picture of the aesthetic.
6. Your parents will pay for the wedding
There are no hard and fast rules on who should pay for the wedding, so if your parents or soon-to-be parents-in-law offer to contribute, it is your choice whether you want to accept their generous offer or to foot the bill yourselves.
It’s important to note that anyone who contributes to the bill has a say in the wedding preparations, so it might be good to reconsider accepting their help if you wish to avoid clashing opinions with your parents or parents-in-law on the wedding.
Ultimately, it is your wedding so if you decide to pay for yourselves and if you decide on a cosy wedding with a trim guestlist consisting of only your close family and friends, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t have that. Explain to your parents that you’d love to invite everyone on their list to share in your joy but you simply don’t have that many headcount to include them. Instead of inviting them to the wedding, suggest hosting a simple dinner for them after the day so you can meet them and thank them for their blessings and well-wishes.
It’s important to note that anyone who contributes to the bill has a say in the wedding preparations, so it might be good to reconsider accepting their help if you wish to avoid clashing opinions with your parents or parents-in-law on the wedding.
Ultimately, it is your wedding so if you decide to pay for yourselves and if you decide on a cosy wedding with a trim guestlist consisting of only your close family and friends, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t have that. Explain to your parents that you’d love to invite everyone on their list to share in your joy but you simply don’t have that many headcount to include them. Instead of inviting them to the wedding, suggest hosting a simple dinner for them after the day so you can meet them and thank them for their blessings and well-wishes.
7. You must play door games
As a fun Chinese wedding tradition, the wedding gate crash or door games are a series of games planned by the bride and her bridesmaid to test the groom’s determination to get his wife. The groom and the groomsmen are expected to perform tasks asked by the bridesmaid. No matter how humiliating or ridiculous, all in the name of good fun of course to prove his love for his bride.
But if you are looking to have a quieter morning amongst the stress then feel free to skip this part.
But if you are looking to have a quieter morning amongst the stress then feel free to skip this part.
8. You have to change your outfit multiple times
While some brides prefer to wear a different gown for her morning ceremony, solemnization and first and second march-ins, others may prefer to just remain in the same gown for the entire celebration, and that’s perfectly fine. If you prefer to skip the changing into different gowns for more time with your guests and remain in just one gown for your nuptials, go ahead and do so. With the rise in popularity of micro-weddings as well as other trends arising following COVID makes it that you no longer have to stick to the rules. Read our article COVID-19 Wedding Trends you need to be aware of for more info.
Conclusion
The important thing to remember is that it is your wedding and you should feel free to do whatever you wish to, whether it is to abide by these wedding traditions, replace or omit them altogether.
Download our free Ultimate Wedding Planning Guide for more advice and a free checklist to guide you through your wedding planning!
Download our free Ultimate Wedding Planning Guide for more advice and a free checklist to guide you through your wedding planning!