Speaking to many mothers of brides and grooms, it appears that the traditional wedding traditions rarely apply today. It used to be and really not so long ago, there were set wedding traditions and etiquette which used to be followed as a guideline as to whom was responsible for what portion of the wedding event, from costs and the responsibilities through the course of planning a wedding. I hear quite so often and have actually experienced it first hand, that when it comes to the planning and baring the costs, most cases it is the bride and groom and the parents of one side. The other side of the family and including the bridal party virtually washes their hands from any part of the wedding process. This includes from assisting with any planning or organization, to helping and sharing in any of the costs associated with having a wedding. Yet, most everyone is excited about the couple announcing their engagement and their wants and needs of fullfilling their dreams as husband and wife.

   I know the cost for having a wedding has risen dramatically over the past few years and of course today’s economy is reaking havic on many families, but, I would think that the families would want to put the effort in to see their son or daughter have a successful event. It’s a once in a lifetime dream for most couples so you would think they would want to support them to make their dreams a reality.

So as far as the wedding traditions and etiquette go, I believe there is new traditions which apply for today. Don’t get me wrong though, there are many families that still truly stick to those set traditions but I think it is such a small handful of them.  I am seeing that the brides, groom’s and one side of the family is doing whatever it takes for the young couples to have their wedding dreams come true. Do we set new wedding traditions, or should it be respectful to honor the etiquette it once was?