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Residing in the United States makes one feel liberated – in other words free to do whatever you want, free to live your life, freedom of love, and free to make your own choices allowing you to break all traditions.
There are a great many practices still adhered too; some people find tradition hard to cast aside. Here are some distinct western touches:
The Americans have a fantastic unique way in personalizing their weddings which means giving priority over engagements which are not traditionally celebrated in a way that it is in some countries.
Old fashioned original down on bended knee marriage proposals, the better they say.
Wedding preparations start with the engaged couple visiting parents and family informing them of their engagement.
Engaged couples tend to invite more friends along to their engagement party than that of the wedding, because engagement parties cost a lot less than a planned wedding reception. Light snacks on the menu will be just that, cocktails and hors d'oeuvres. To make the wedding less expensive couples will ask colleagues and friends to the engagement party therefore less to cater for if on a tight budget on the day they tie the knot.
Bridal shower preparations are given by the maid of honor and bridesmaids. A bachelor party is certainly on the cards for the groom to be. One tradition I think that will never be cast aside. Drinking should be consumed in moderation; you need to be steady on your feet when taking those vows.
A good idea is to make sure all wedding invitations include response cards this way guests will let you know if they can attend. Wedding invitations are usually sent within 4/6 weeks before the occasion.
Rehearsal dinners are sometimes carried out with wedding party guests who come from far away places to attend the wedding practice. Word has it that the groom's parents foot the dinner bill cost.
The bridal luncheon is hosted for the bride's attendants on the wedding day itself. However, time may not allow this to be part of the routine on the wedding day. This also applies to the groom and groomsmen.
Religious ceremonies are very popular with the Americans even if they hold no religious beliefs. Neverheless problems can happen when a couple gets married from different faiths or religions.
The feeling where bad luck prevails if the groom should see the bride the day before, is still upheld in many parts of the world, the American people are adamant in keeping to the rules, and complly with this voodoo curse as some would see it, so the groom will bide his time and take notice when the time is right, and that is when the bride walks down the aisle.
Still in practice the groom and groomsmen make their entrance into the chapel through a side door. The bride is still given away by dad, sometimes by two males if they have a stepfather.
Formal receptions typically have a bridal table where the couples and their chosen attendants sit. As guests arrive for the reception food and drinks are served on entry.
Gift lists are on show for the guest so making it easy for them to choose the right present for the happy couple. A fabulous idea to say Thank you for all gifts received is to send personalized notes to the guests who attended.
The choice is yours whether you stick with tradition or not, but one thing that does not change in the eyes of an American is that most take their vows very seriously. "For better or worse, 'till death do us part." is still common in American wedding practices.
