3 Wedding Rules You Can Forget About Following

Weddings are full of traditions, and some of them are great — like wearing something old, new, borrowed, and blue — but others, well, it’s about time they be ignored. Sure, they used to have their place, but now it’s time for practicality to take center stage. Here are three commonly followed wedding rules that you definitely don’t need to obey.

DO NOT SEE EACH OTHER BEFORE THE WEDDING

Superstition, tradition, whatever you want to call it, many brides and grooms avoid each other for the entire day before their ceremony just because they think that’s what they are supposed to do. But guess when the best time for wedding pictures is? Before the wedding. It’s when your hair and makeup look their best, and you don’t have to leave your guests waiting for hours on end for the photo session to be finished so the reception can start.

HAVE THE SAME NUMBER OF PEOPLE ON EACH SIDE OF THE WEDDING PARTY

Okay, it’s true that your ceremony and pictures will look more symmetrical if you can have the same amount of bridesmaids and groomsmen, but that doesn’t mean you should cut out a dear friend or include someone you aren’t particularly close with just to make it even. Just get creative with the processional, and consider groups of three or parties of one.

EAT A FROZEN LAYER OF WEDDING CAKE ON YOUR ANNIVERSARY

It might seem like a romantic gesture to enjoy some of your actual wedding cake to celebrate your first year as husband and wife, but the experience is anything but memorable. The freezer-burnt cake is sure to put a damper on any anniversary celebration. A better option is to order a cake from the same bakery that made your wedding cake. Or, skip the cake altogether and go out for fondue.