Carrie Underwood might not know her last name after a wild night in Vegas, but if she kept her own, her momma wouldn’t be so ashamed (You’re welcome. That song is now in your head.).

According to Brides.com, the practice goes back to the Middle Ages, when society began to document laws due to increased literacy. 

Unfortunately, at that time, society also favored men, and women had little rights. The law added the practice of coverture, which is the legal status of a woman under common law.
“Coverture is a legal formation that held that no female person had a legal identity,” Historian Catherine Allgor explains in the Brides.com article. “A female baby was covered by her father’s identity and then, when she was married, by her husband’s.”
Under coverture, when a woman married, she became “one” with her husband.
“It sounds romantic, but the ‘one’ was the husband,” Allgor says. “She becomes, and this is the phrase, ‘legally dead.’ So it’s not that women take the last names of their husbands, which is how we think of it, it’s that they become part of [the husband’s] body. She does not exist in law, only the husband does.”

In more modern times, women take their husband’s name for many other reasons, including solidifying their status as a couple, separating themselves from their parents, unifying the family when having children or simply for the sake of tradition, according to a CNN article. 

However, some women choose to retain their last name or hyphenate it with their spouse’s. 

Keeping their last name is growing in popularity among women with higher levels of education and those marrying at an older age, says Deborah Carr, a professor of sociology and director of the Center for Innovation in Social Science at Boston University, in the CNN article.

“They have more professional identity built by that point,” she says.

Bottom line: While you might feel pressure from your friends or family to take your husband’s last name, it is ultimately up to the two of you to decide. Currently, in the United States, about 20% to 30% of women retain their name, CNN reports.

To learn more about how brides are “bucking tradition,” read our blogs on breaking glass, kneeling to propose and carrying the bride across the threshold.

You may have attended a wedding where the couple broke glass during their marriage ceremony. If you are not familiar with this tradition, you may have wondered where it comes from. 

In Italy, many newlyweds smash glass, typically by stepping on it. The number of pieces the glassware breaks into symbolizes the number of years the couple will be happily married, according to Martha Stewart. This is often accompanied by a chant of “per cent’anni,”  which mean “for a hundred years!”

Jewish marriage ceremonies also typically involve breaking glass. 

At some point during the marriage ceremony, which varies depending on the temple and tradition, the couple stomp on a glass wrapped in cloth and placed on the ground under the chuppah, aka bridal canopy. The congregation shouts “mazal tov!” in congratulations, according to Insider.

The reason Jewish couples break a glass during the wedding ceremony is to remember the destruction of the Jewish temples. It is a ritual that tempers that happiness of the occasion and allows for a moment of reflection, Insider says.

Bottom line: If you are Italian or Jewish, you may want to consider the breaking glass tradition to honor your heritage. If not, be aware that some may consider the act inappropriate due to cultural appropriation. 

To learn more about how brides are “bucking tradition,” read our blogs on kneeling to propose, carrying the bride across the threshold and the penny in your shoe.

Those envisioning the “perfect” proposal often imagine the person proposing on one knee. But where does this tradition come from?

There are mixed stories related to the origin of proposing on one knee, according to Reader’s Digest.

“Some say it hearkens back to medieval times, when knights knelt before ladies,” a 2022 article states. “Others guess that because it was a sign of surrender during feudal wars that men did it as a symbol of surrendering their will and fortune to their beloved (and to show her family they weren’t a threat). Or it may stem from the Persian tradition of prostrating oneself on the ground to show respect.”

However, the article says proposing on one knee is mostly a Western tradition that began in the 1960s. Prior to that, most marriages were arranged as business agreements with little fanfare.

Like many of the traditions we’ve highlighted, kneeling on one knee to propose is not necessary and up to each couple’s unique situation.

“Getting down on one knee doesn’t change the question that’s being asked, and I think, from an etiquette perspective, that’s why it hasn’t been a requirement,” says Lizzie Post, etiquette expert at the The Emily Post Institute and author of “Emily Post’s Wedding Etiquette 6th Edition, in a Martha Stewart article. “But in general, if you have preferences or expectations about your engagement experience, that’s something you should be sharing with your partner-if it means that much to you.”

To learn more about how brides are “bucking tradition,” read our blogs on carrying the bride across the threshold, the penny in your shoe and something blue!

Unfortunately, many bridal traditions have dark origins — like carrying the bride over the threshold.  You may have seen this custom in romantic comedies where it’s usually either a humorous or sentimental moment.

However, Insider reports that the practice originates with the Rape of the Sabine Women, an event in Roman mythology in which soldiers abducted and subsequently raped local women. 

Later, the tradition became a common Roman wedding practice. Insider says that following the wedding, the bride attempted to run to her mother’s home while the groom and his friends  chased her. They then carried her into the groom’s home “over the threshold.” 

At this point, the cat-and-mouse game was a show meant to represent that the bride didn’t want to leave her parents. 

However, the American Wedding, which provides wedding invitations and stationery, also says that generations ago, a bride maintained her dignity by appearing unwilling to “give herself” to her new husband. This was for appearance’s sake so at the threshold of the bedroom, the husband carried his wife in.

The American Wedding also points to the long-ago belief that demons followed the bride to her new home. 

“To keep them from entering the home, the groom would carry her across the threshold the first time she entered the home,” it says. ”After that, demons could not come in, and the bride was free to come and go as she pleased.”

The threshold itself also his several meanings, according to Insider. The British believed the threshold could contain evil spirits capable of damaging a marriage or the woman’s child-bearing ability. Therefore, the groom could not allow the bride to touch it. 

Thresholds are also important in Zoroastrianism, an ancient Iranian religion. Insider reports that Zoroastrians smear the couple’s doorjambs with turmeric after a wedding. The groom then passes through without touching the threshold, and his new mother-in-law marks his forehead with red pigment and throws rice at him.

Bottom Line: While this tradition may have some disturbing origins, if it’s something you and your husband want to do, go for it! If not, this practice has fizzled over the years and won’t bring your marriage bad luck!

To learn more about how brides are “bucking tradition,” read our blogs on the penny in your shoe, throwing rice and something blue!

Many bridal traditions, including the bridal party, throwing rice and the bouquet toss, are surrounded in superstition.

So, too, is the “penny in your shoe” practice, which actually originates from the “something old, something new” poem. It reads: “Something old/something new/something borrowed/something blue/and a silver sixpence/in her shoe.”

Traditionally, the bride’s father would place a sixpence coin into her left shoe to bring luck and prosperity to the couple, according to Wedding Ideas magazine. Today, it is a little more difficult to find a sixpence, so many brides either use a penny or a special wedding sixpence to recreate this tradition.

Coins have been associated with marriage for centuries. For example, one custom sees the bride and groom swap gold and silver coins after exchanging rings, Wedding Ideas magazine says. This practice was first recorded in the first book of common prayer published in 1549. 

Furthermore, in Sweden, the bride’s mother gives her a gold coin to put in her right shoe while her father  gives a silver one to put in her left shoe. This is to represent their wish that she will never be without, according to Wedding Ideas.

And in Poland, guests toss coins over the newlyweds, which the couple then pick up together as a sign of their new unity.

Bottom Line: Do you need to place a penny in your shoe on your wedding day? It’s up to you! If it’s a family tradition, it might be nice to continue the custom. It also presents a fun photo op! 

However, if you’re not digging wearing a coin in your shoe all day, feel free to skip this one. 

To learn more about how brides are “bucking tradition,” read our blogs on the garter toss, the first dance and flowers!

Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue. You’ve probably heard this rhyming trope that tells brides four things to wear on their wedding day. But where did the advice originate?

According to The Knot, the famous wedding guidance comes from the Old English rhyme, “Something Olde, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue, A Sixpence in your Shoe.” 

“These objects were considered necessary for brides to incorporate into their wedding dresses or carry with them on their wedding day with the belief that they would bring good and happy marriages,” the wedding website says.

And according to Reader’s Digest, the rhyme originated in the Victorian era from Lancashire, a county in England. Most of the ingredients in the rhyme are meant to ward off the evil eye, which was “a curse passed through a malicious glare that could make a bride infertile.”

When you break down the individual  parts, something old  represents continuity, according to The Knot. 

“Contemporary couples use this as a chance to wear a sentimental piece of jewelry or item of clothing belonging to an older relative,” it says. “Often the parents of the bride will gift her an heirloom before the ceremony.”

Something new, on the other hand, represents looking toward the future and the new marriage, The Knot reports. The “new” could be the bride’s dress, shoes or handbag!

Something borrowed represents good luck. Often a bride will borrow something from a happily married friend or relative to ensure a little of their good fortune rubs off on them, according to The Knot. Luckily, most people no longer practice the old-fashioned superstition of the bride borrowing the undergarments of a female friend or relative!

Lastly, the something blue represents love, purity and fidelity, The Knot says. A bride often includes the something blue on her garter or incorporates it into her jewelry. We’ve even heard of brides appointing an honored guests as their something blue, asking them to dress in the color!

Bottom Line: These traditions are based on superstition but still often used today. You can incorporate one or all four depending on you and your future husband’s beliefs. However, don’t feel pressured if you can’t find one of the pieces – it does not predict bad luck on your marriage!

To learn more about how brides are “bucking tradition,” read our blogs on throwing rice, receiving lines or bridal party dances!

While the bride’s dress is inarguably the most important of the wedding day, the bridesmaids’ dresses are a close second. These dresses often reflect the wedding colors, as well as the bride’s style and the vibe of the day. Winter wonderland wedding? Try candy cane red dresses with a fur wrap. Backyard BBQ wedding? Let bridesmaids pick their own flirty floral number. 

Unsure what to select? We’ve compiled a list of the most popular bridesmaid dress trends of 2022, as reported by Brides.com. 

Extra Embellishments

This year’s bridesmaid dresses have plenty of extras, including florals, ruffles, bows and appliques. These accessories can take a plain dress to new heights! 

Our pick: Azazie released a limited edition Evalleen print dress in sunset paisley and abstract floral. 

Little Black Dress

Who says the LBD is only for wedding guests? The little black dress is classic and elegant and definitely a trend to consider in 2022. 

Our pick: Dessy’s One-Shoulder Puff Sleeve Midi Bias Dress with Side Slit in black pairs a one-shoulder silhouette with a billowing bishop sleeve. We’re in love!

Jumpsuits

This fashion-forward “dress” option isn’t a dress at all – because who doesn’t love a glam jumpsuit! Dress it up with some statement jewelry to really make your selection pop. 

Our pick: Wedding dynamo David’s Bridal has jumped on the jumpsuit train! Check out this cute crepe jumpsuit that features a flattering sweetheart neckline, tie-waist accent and open back!

Slip dresses

The slip dress is a sleek ’90s trend that is coming back! Perfect for a simple, minimalist wedding, slip dresses are easy and breezy and a great pick for a summer wedding. 

Our pick: Birdy Grey’s Lisa Long Dress is tres chic and comes in a variety of colors. 

Separates

Your bridesmaids can mix and match tops and bottoms if you’re looking for a less unified look. Try pairing a white tank top with flowy skirts in different lengths. Plus, these separates can often be worn again! 

Our pick: This fluttery white tank and long tulle skirt from Tulle & Chantilly are absolutely gorgeous.

You may have attended a wedding where the attendees shower the bride and groom with rice as they leave the ceremony. This photographic tradition likely began with the Celts, who tossed rice, millet and other grains to appease spirits and ask for blessing and fertility for the couple, according to Brides.com. However, the tradition crosses multiple cultures. The Ancient Romans used wheat. Italians toss candies or sugared nuts. In Morocco, it’s dried dates or figs. 

“The rice toss is a symbolic wish to the just-married couple for a life of prosperity and fruitfulness, which to the ancients meant many children,” the Brides.com article says. 

The toss usually takes place outdoors as the couple recess from the ceremony or during the grand exit as they leave the reception. 

However, the rice toss has gotten a bad rap in the last few decades. In 1985, a state legislator in Connecticut introduced a bill to ban rice throwing at weddings, saying it harmed or even killed birds, Brides.com says. While Connecticut Audubon officials refuted the myth, it still exists today and contributed to the decline in rice tossing. 

If you choose to do a rice toss, you should provide guests with individual packets of rice. Many couples appoint someone to hand the packets out as guests arrive at the ceremony. You can also place them on chairs or include them in your programs. 

If you don’t want rice but still like the idea of a toss, consider environmentally friendly options such as seeds, dried flowers or herbs. Just make sure these items won’t stain if they land on your dress! 

Other popular options include bubble blowing, biodegradable confetti tossing or bell ringing. 

Bottom line: If you like the idea of a toss, you can use rice as it does not harm birds. However, you can also get creative with other options!

To learn more about how brides are “bucking tradition,” read our blogs on receiving lines, bridal party dances, flowers, first dances, rings, wedding cakes, the bouquet toss, the garter toss and whether white is always right.

Bridesmaids and groomsmen are often part of a traditional wedding day, but are they really necessary? According to Bustle, the tradition of having bridesmaids goes back to Ancient Roman times. The bridesmaids dressed identically to the bride to ward off ghosts and demonic spirits.  “Whether it was a spirit or a jealous ex coming to crash the wedding, they figured if all the bridesmaids looked the same, it would provide enough confusion so the couple could get married without being targeted,” the website says.

Groomsmen, however, have a much darker back story. 

Their history comes from the the practice of marriages by kidnapping, when a bride was literally abducted from her family, Reader’s Digest reports. The groomsmen would help capture the bride and ensure the marriage took place. This practice started as early as Biblical times and still continues today in many parts of the world.  

The purpose behind bridesmaids and groomsmen is no longer necessary in modern weddings. However, many couples still choose to have their close friends and family members serve in a bridal party to help them both plan and celebrate. 

The pros of having bridesmaids and groomsmen includes having extra help with wedding details such as planning, setting up and day-of coordination. It’s also fun to have your closest buds with you on your big day! 

However, cons include difficulties choosing among your friends, potential hurt feelings and additional costs as you’ll need to purchase gifts for the bridal party, as well as meals and booze. 

Those who choose to forego a bridal party often designate roles to honored family and friends, such as readers, ring bearers and bouquet holders. You can also invite those closest to you to help you get ready on your wedding day.

Bottom line: You don’t need to have a bridal party to have a wedding. Instead, consider placing close family and friends in roles that can help your day run smoothly. 

To learn more about how brides are “bucking tradition,” read our blogs on bridal party dances, flowers, first dances, rings, wedding cakes, the bouquet toss, the garter toss and whether white is always right.

A recent social media post that falsely claimed that Apple was developing smart wedding rings that let couples know where their partner is or has been and whether they have removed the ring has sparked discussion of “nontraditional” rings in the wedding circuit. 

While the so-called Apple wedding ring is a hoax, there are other rings that fall into the category of “alternative” wedding bands. 

1. Oura Rings

The closest to the fictional Apple ring, Oura rings are wearable technology that monitors and delivers personalized insights on your sleep, activity, temperature, heart rate and more. With silver, gold, black and stealth designs, the rings look like simple wedding bands. In fact, according to a Twitter poll conducted by the company, 40.9% of respondents would consider using an Oura ring as their wedding band and 24.3% already do. 

2. Fender Manly Bands  

Iconic guitar company Fender recently announced that it’s partnered with the company Manly Bands to create a new line of wedding rings made from the same material as the company’s guitars. Ranging in price from $495 to $850, the rings include the Troubadour, which is made with ebony and Fender tweed and inlaid with a Fender guitar string, in tribute to Fender guitar cases, and the Electric, which is made with titanium and ebony and inlaid with a guitar string to mimic the Mercury-finished American Professional II Telecaster Deluxe.

3. Star Wars Enso Rings

Enso crafts silicone rings that many couples wear as less expensive and more damage resistant alternatives to fancy jewelry. The new “The Book of Boba Fett” collection features Boba Fett, a green with blue shimmer ring etched with a Boba Fett design, and Mandalorian, metallic black with swirls of dark gray and the legendary Mythosaur symbol. 

4. Whiskey Barrel Oak Rings

Jewelry by Johan handcrafts rings using authentic whiskey barrel oak wood with beautiful patterns. The rings are coated with the company’s “Ring Armor” to make them highly durable and water resistant and come in a variety of colors and materials, including antler and dinosaur bone! 

For more information on wedding rings, check out our blog on the history of the wedding ring tradition!