The history of traditional wedding activities

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Weddings are full of traditions—some sweet, some quirky, and some that make you wonder, "Wait, why are we doing this (garter toss wink wink). Depending on your background, culture, and personal vibe, you might want to keep some, ditch others, or put your own spin on them. Wedding traditions have evolved over time, and you get to decide which ones fit your vision. Here’s a breakdown of some classic wedding moments—keep the ones you love, ditch the ones you don’t, and make your day exactly what you want it to be. No rules here—just a little history, inspo, and some guidance to help you decide what fits for you!

Back in the day, a receiving line was THE way to greet guests. The newlyweds, parents, and wedding party would line up, and guests would go down the line, offering congrats. These days, this tradition is pretty rare because, let’s be honest, it takes forever. Instead, most couples do a "table touch," where they mingle with guests during dinner. If you go this route, set a time limit per table so you’re not stuck making small talk all night.

Instead of a receiving line, most weddings start with a grand entrance. This is your moment to make a statement—whether you want an elegant walk-in or a full-blown hype squad intro with music, dancing, and fog machines (no judgment!). After you and your wedding party make your way in, it’s usually time for dinner, speeches, and getting the party started.

Traditionally, the bride’s father gave a short welcome speech, but since a lot of couples pay for their own weddings now, it’s totally normal for you and your partner to do the honors. Keep it simple: thank your guests, acknowledge any VIPs (like grandparents or out-of-town guests), and get everyone excited for the night ahead.

If you or your families are religious, you might include a blessing before dinner. This can be led by your officiant, a family member, or anyone you choose. If you’re not religious, you can swap this out for a heartfelt toast or a moment of gratitude.

Toasts are a wedding staple, but keep them short and sweet—three minutes max per speaker. Typically, the best man and maid of honor say a few words, and sometimes a parent or other close friend joins in. If you want to avoid long, rambling speeches, let your toast-makers know in advance to keep it concise, nobody wants a TED Talk when there’s dancing to be done.  Bonus tip: consider doing toasts at the rehearsal dinner instead of the reception so you can get to the party faster.

Believe it or not, wedding cakes started as stacked bread loaves that couples would kiss over for good luck. This evolved into the wedding cake that symbolized prosperity and fertility (weird flex, but okay). Some couples used to smash it into each other’s faces, but now it's mostly just a cute photo op. Fun fact: the tradition of putting trinkets in cake to predict who would marry next evolved into today’s bouquet toss. Cutting the cake together is a tradition, but feel free to make it your own moment. We find more and more couples doing private cake cuttings instead of stopping dinner to have everyone stare at them while they cut it.

The first dance is one of the most iconic wedding moments. Traditionally, the couple starts, then the bride dances with her father and then the groom with his mother. But honestly? You can skip or tweak this however you want. Want to invite everyone onto the dance floor right away? Go for it! Want to make these short and sweet but cutting the songs down. DO IT. Those three minutes can turn into an eternity while everyone is watching you. Pro tip: A “kickoff dance” right after gets the party started fast.

Throwing the bouquet and garter used to be a big deal, with the belief that whoever caught them would be next to get married. These days, some couples keep it for the fun, while most are skipping it altogether—especially if most of their friends are already married. Fun fact- Single women in their 30's and 40's really don't appreciate being called out publicly for being single!

A popular tradition in some cultures, the dollar dance lets guests pay a dollar (or more) to dance with the newlyweds. While some see it as a fun way to interact with guests, others think it feels too much like an extra cash grab. If it doesn’t feel right for you, skip it! If it is part of your families' culture, by all means do it.

This is a sweet way to honor married couples at your wedding. All married guests hit the dance floor, and as the song goes on, couples who have been married for shorter periods step off, leaving the longest-married couple dancing at the end. It’s a sentimental moment that can be a fun alternative to the bouquet toss.

The last dance wraps up the night, so choose a song that leaves everyone feeling great. Some couples go for a slow, romantic moment, while others end with a big sing-along or party anthem to go out with a bang.

From rice (bad for birds) to sparklers (better for photos), send-offs are a way to make your exit in style. Some couples go classic with a limo or vintage car, while others get creative—think helicopter, motorcycle, or even a pedicab. Whatever you choose, it’s the perfect way to wrap up your unforgettable night.

Your wedding traditions should be about you, not just doing things because “that’s how it’s always been done.” Pick what feels right, leave out what doesn’t, and create a day that’s 100% yours! At the end of the day, wedding traditions should add to your joy, not stress you out. This is your celebration—let's do it your way! 🎉