Have you ever wondered why we actually have a receiving line at a wedding, and who decided it was a good idea to throw rice at the couple as they leave? Most wedding traditions date back thousands of years and are steeped in superstitions that, frankly, we no longer believe. As you are planning your wedding, you may want to consider skipping some of these. Remember, there is no such thing as “bad luck” if you do.
The Bouquet Toss
Do you imagine your wedding ending with a catfight for that bouquet that you paid so much for? Why do we do this again? Do we really believe that the gal who catches to bouquet is going to be the next to get married? What this tradition actually does is make your single friends feel even more conspicuous about their single-hood. You can skip this altogether and truthfully, no one will care.
The Receiving Line
Do your guests really want to stand in line for an extensive period of time just to get a quick hug and to shake your spouse’s hand? Probably not. Instead, why not scrap the receiving line. Yet, your guests do want some face time with the happy new couple. There are much more comfortable ways to do this. One is to dismiss your guests to the reception personally. Another is to wander around to various tables during your reception. Remember, the idea of the receiving line is to be able to greet all of your guests, and you simply do not need to have a long line to do this.
Smearing Cake
No one quite knows where this one started, but many brides and grooms end up smearing cake all over each other as they share the first piece. Why would you want to ruin the most expensive clothing you have ever worn, simply for tradition’s sake? What about your hair and makeup that you spent so much time on? There are other ways to make a fool out of your new spouse, if that is really what you want, that do not put your expensive duds at risk.
Throwing Rice
Throwing rice at the happy couple as they leave is actually an environmental hazard. Not only does it get caked in their hair and clothes, requiring a few showers before they can relax on their wedding night, but the rice can actually be dangerous for birds. Birds that eat the rice, which is dehydrated, can become quite ill or even die when the rice swells in their digestive system. So opt for something less dangerous, like bubbles or flower petals.
Monique Trulson works with eInvite, an online provider of wedding invitations, birth announcements, custom Bar Mitzvah invitations and other paper goods.
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