In comparison to previous generations, it seems the wedding, as an entity, is becoming more about the bridal couple rather than about traditions or customs. Here are some reasons as to why:

• The bride and groom are more likely to be the ones paying for the wedding (over a third of today’s brides and grooms are footing the bill)
• Nowadays, it’s common to see couples getting married later in life after having established themselves as individuals
• Because of their larger financial responsibility and the timing, couples have to be self-sufficient enough to pay for the wedding and need to know what it is they want

So from a traditional wedding at a church followed by a reception at a hall, some couples have ventured beyond into destination-type weddings:

• Beach weddings for a small, intimate gathering
• Festive weekend-long celebrations for family and friends
• Cruise weddings on the ocean or down a river

But even more than just the location, everything relating to weddings is becoming more personalized: from registries offering stocks, mortgage payments, or wines, to aspects of the ceremony, from color to flowers. Even the reception is being tweaked from an evening affair to possibly a brunch or small, intimate candlelit dinners during the week.

Today’s weddings are a blending of personal touches with long-lived tradition and customs. The classic white of the ceremony is given new flavor with various complementary colors. Bridal registries still offer the traditional gifts of household wares with their new, more modern offerings.

When it comes to planning the many details of a modern wedding, there are no set rules for dividing up the duties. Between the bridal couple, the tasks can be easily split to make planning a cinch.

Typically, we have found that grooms usually feel more comfortable dealing with their own attire, of course, and any engraving that may go with that, the rehearsal dinner, the music, the photography and videography and any registry items related to electronics or outdoor gear.

And we suggest that the bride take on her own attire as well as that of the rest of the wedding party, the invitations and ceremony programs, transportation, wedding party gifts, flowers and decor, registry items and wedding favors. Since marriage involves so much decision-making as a couple, the wedding should be a good place to start and the tasks to take on as a couple would include: the ceremony details (with the help of an officiant and a planner), the reception details including the wedding cake and, finally, the honeymoon.

Of course, the bride and groom can always enlist the help of their wedding party; that’s what they’re there for! If there just isn’t enough time in the day, the wedding party is there for support and assistance. And if they are at a lost, there is always the wedding planner, who can help as much or as little as needed, just as long as he/she can help to take the edge off and ease stress levels so the bride and groom (and their wedding party) can enjoy the big day!

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