noun: the transmission of customs or beliefs from generation to generation, or the fact of being passed on in this way.
Walking down the aisle
A bride to be recently broke down in tears because her father was insisting on walking her down the aisle! He wasn’t a huge part of her life growing up – it was her hard-working single mum who had that role. This bride to be wanted her mum to have the honour of walking her down the aisle! My heart went out to her as I believe that times are changing and with it, traditions too! In the end, she compromised: dad drove with her to the venue and mum took her from the car to the altar. Perfect!
Are there any other traditions could you dispense with during your ceremony? Perhaps you already have kids and you’d like to walk down the aisle as a family? Or maybe you don’t want to exchange rings? Do you feel like you’ve already made your vows and promises simply because you’ve been together for years already. When I was little a rich fruit cake was the traditional wedding cake. Nowadays people are serving cheese instead of cake or nothing at all.
Giving what away!
There’s one tradition that makes any independent women want to gnash her teeth with dad giving her away! The beauty of a celebrant led ceremony is that you can have as many of the traditions that you want, or none! You can even create your own traditions!
Speeches were traditionally given towards the end of the Wedding Breakfast! Who wants to wait that long! Why not start before the first course! And where are the brides and mother speeches in this 21st century!
Birthday celebrations
At an 18th birthday party recently, the parents embraced the lovely tradition of asking family and friends to send through greetings before the party! These were incorporated into a beautiful album for their child to look back on. The photo book, started when he was born, was lovingly added to year after year.
Wearing black
How about not wearing black to a funeral? Up to a few decades ago in Spain, if a young person’s parent died, they had to wear black for months afterwards. This left a tremendous mark on a woman I know – she was 14 years when her mother died. Widows all over the Mediterranean had to wear black for the rest of their lives!
Foregoing the funeral
Some people decide not to have a traditional funeral and instead go to their loved one’s favourite place to remember them. Music choices have also changed over the decades. Now mourners will hear all sorts of genres chosen for what the deceased loved and preferred rather than what’s expected at a funeral!
All that it takes is for us to realise that we have a choice in everything we do! If it feels good for you and doesn’t offend, then start a new tradition! Of course, we live in times where people are easily offended so truly believe that what you are doing is, at its essence, good for all!