Few things in life are as steeped in pomp and ceremony as a wedding. And as anyone who’s ever planned one knows, there’s plenty of opinions about what you “must” do and what you “must” have – to the point where they almost take on mythical status. But there’s nothing legally essential about them, which means you can happily ignore them to plan your day your way. Here are 10 myth busters to get you started.<\/p>\n
This is perhaps the biggest wedding myth of them all, dating back, so it’s said, to Queen Victoria, who wore white for her wedding. But just because it’s still the norm in western cultures, doesn’t mean you have to follow suit. It’s your wedding, to the person you love, so you should wear a gown in the colour that best represents your personality, your love and your relationship. Even if you don’t want to go the whole hog, some vibrant and colourful elements can still look beautiful. And remember that colour has long been a part of weddings in other cultures, such as in Asia, where gowns are red.<\/p>\n
The rising popularity of flower crowns and intricate embellished headpieces has definitely paved the way for the individual bride. If you fancy yourself a bit of a trend setter, or you don’t identity with the concept of a traditional bride, or maybe you’re a bohemian spirit then we say – ditch the veil! It’s really your day, and all the important decisions should ultimately be made by you, so please go ahead and rock that flower crown.<\/p>\n
Somewhere along the way, wedding lore seems to have decided that an ideal engagement is about a year long. But there’s no reason this should be the case. In fact, the average length of an engagement in Australia is actually 21 months! It all comes down to how much time you need – and want – to plan. If you’re keen on a pop-up wedding<\/a> two months after the engagement, do it. If you want two years to make sure everyone you love can attend, that’s fine too. It’s absolutely your decision, so listen to your gut and act on instinct.[ew-supplier-carousel]<\/p>\n This convention dictates\u00a0that if someone invites you to their wedding, you must return the favour and, though it’s always a nice gesture, the fact is relationships change over time. Perhaps\u00a0a once strong friendship has faded. Maybe your guest list is necessarily smaller because of budget. Or, perhaps, you’re just keeping it to family members. Whatever the case you should do what feels right – and much of that time that may be extending a reciprocal invitations, but other times it will mean not doing so. However, if it’s playing on your mind, a quick phone call to explain an unavoidable reason such as finances can be a nice way to put someone’s mind at ease.<\/p>\n There seems to be an expectation that the\u00a0couple will tear up on their journey towards “I do”. And for many couples that can be the case as they get caught up in the emotion of moments such as trying on your wedding gown for the first time, or choosing the rings. But there’s no equation that says people who cry are the only truly happy ones. Everyone expresses themselves in different ways, so if you find yourself plastering a joyful smile across your face instead of reaching for a hanky, we say go for it.<\/p>\n Almost no one is immune to the dancefloor lure of Abba’s Dancing Queen<\/em>. Or even the Nutbush City Limits<\/em>. But while some couples wouldn’t consider a playlist complete without a healthy dose of cheesy tunes, there’s nothing to say they’re a must. In fact there’s something refreshing about a couple who want to use their music to tell a story in an entirely original fashion, and who will trust their DJ to blend the classic and the modern, the funky and the slow to encourage people to their feet. So give them your ideas on mood and your not-to-play list and let them go. You may find the night is all the better for it.<\/p>\n We all know the classic menu story of meat and three veg.\u00a0But these days, traditional food can be the exception, as well as the rule. Modern chefs who cater for weddings are incredibly versatile and innovative with what they offer. Yes, you could do a three-course sit-down meal, but you could also have a home-style barbecue, gorgeous food stations, dessert tables and midnight snacks. In short, if you want to bring your favourite food to the party, there’s a way to match your will.<\/p>\nYou must do reciprocal invites<\/h2>\n
You will cry – a lot<\/h2>\n
Weddings need cheesy music<\/h2>\n
Wedding food is\u00a0all about meat and three veg…<\/h2>\n
Wedding planners are expensive and\u00a0unnecessary<\/h2>\n