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Wedding Traditions Reimagined: A Fresh Look at the Moments That Matter

Planning & Budget Maggie Oct 09, 2026

Wedding traditions reimagined means keeping the customs that feel meaningful and updating the ones that don’t. Many classic wedding traditions, like the white wedding dress, and the bouquet toss, have modern alternatives that couples are choosing today. Below, you’ll find what each tradition means, where it came from, and how couples are updating it. Not sure which style fits you? Take our style quiz to find a wedding dress that matches your vibe.

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First look

The old rule was simple: don’t let the groom see the bride before the ceremony. It was considered bad luck. But today, couples are testing that superstition.

The first look is a private moment before the ceremony: one partner turns away, the other approaches, a tap on the shoulder, and then that breathtaking reveal. It softens the nerves, slows the day down, and give you a moment that belongs to only the two of you.

It is also a beautiful moment for your wedding album. With no crowd and no pressing timeline, your photographer can capture the real emotions, like happy tears. Those are the frames you will return to for years. Check out our photo tips for how to plan your timeline, choose the right spot, and get the shots you’ll treasure.

Still love the drama of the aisle? There are ways to honor that, too. Try a first touch with a door or wall between you, or share a private moment with your officiant or a parent before the ceremony begins.

Bride wearing the Sottero and Midgley Giselle wedding dress, an ivory fitted gown with an off-the-shoulder draped neckline and softly pleated bodice. The bride holds a bouquet of white flowers while standing with a partner in a black tuxedo beneath softly glowing lights. Photo by JAO Photography — PC: JAO Photography

Bride wearing the Sottero and Midgley Giselle wedding dress standing arm-in-arm with a partner in a black tuxedo. The ivory gown features an off-the-shoulder draped neckline, softly pleated bodice, and fitted silhouette. The bride carries a bouquet of white roses, calla lilies, and green hydrangeas, with a chapel-length veil completing the look. Photo by JAO Photography. — PC: JAO Photography

Wearing a white wedding dress

Picture a bride in white, and you’re picturing a tradition that’s younger than you’d think. Before the 1840s, most brides simply wore their best dress, whatever the color. Then, Queen Victoria chose white lace for her wedding, and the look became the standard. Today, white is still the classic, but more brides are skipping it for color, from soft blush and colorful appliqués to black. Black wedding dresses are having a real moment with modern brides.

Serafina by Maggie Sottero

Full-length view of a model wearing the Maggie Sottero Serafina ballgown wedding dress in black. The strapless sweetheart bodice features exposed corsetry and floral lace appliqués that extend onto the waist and full satin skirt. A long black cathedral veil with matching lace appliqués frames the silhouette.

Back view of a model wearing the Maggie Sottero Serafina ballgown wedding dress in black. The strapless corset bodice reveals an open back, while the voluminous satin ballgown skirt extends into a dramatic train. A black cathedral-length veil with floral lace appliqués cascades behind the gown and pools along the floor.

If you’re the type to take a chance, Serafina is calling your name. This basque waist ball gown pairs Cartago satin with unembellished lace motifs on a topstitched corset, finished with a strapless sweetheart neckline. Lace motifs also accent the hem, and a zipper over an inner lace-up closure with covered buttons trails all the way down.

Make it yours with the detachable cap sleeves, sleeves, choker, and veil.

Amaryllis by Sottero and Midgley

Full-length view of a model wearing the Sottero and Midgley Amaryllis wedding dress with the Amaryllis veil. The ivory gown features an off-the-shoulder neckline, draped bodice, and dimensional floral appliqués with soft pink and green accents throughout the skirt. A cathedral-length tulle veil with matching floral details frames the silhouette and extends beyond the train.

Back view of a model wearing the Sottero and Midgley Amaryllis wedding dress with the Amaryllis veil. The ivory A-line gown features three-dimensional floral appliqués with subtle pastel accents, while the cathedral-length tulle veil cascades over the gown and train, finished with scattered floral embellishments along the edge.

Blooming with whimsy, Amaryllis is a unique wedding dress with colorful appliqués and romantic pops of color. Perfect 3-D roses peek out from the cat eye neckline and float down the skirt, alongside embroidered greenery and dreamy layers of Lovely organza. The sheer draped bodice shows off exposed boning and a basque waist, and a zipper closure with covered buttons trails to the hem.

Make it your own with the detachable cap sleeves and veil for a fairytale finish.

Something Blue

“Something blue” comes from an old English rhyme: something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue. Blue stood for love, loyalty, and purity, and a small touch of it was believed to protect the bride. Traditionally it was tucked out of sight, like a ribbon or garter.

Today it’s a lot more visible. Think blue shoes, sapphire jewelry, a ribbon on the bouquet, or embroidery stitched inside the dress. Some brides skip the small detail and wear a blue gown instead, which fits right in with the color trend.

Fortune Marie By Maggie Sottero

Outdoor lifestyle image of a model wearing the Maggie Sottero Fortune Marie ballgown wedding dress. The gown features a straight strapless neckline, a structured bodice, and a full jacquard ballgown skirt. Voluminous detachable puff sleeves add a dramatic statement as the model walks through a park setting beside a partner in a light-colored suit.

Outdoor lifestyle image of a model wearing the Maggie Sottero Fortune Marie ballgown wedding dress while seated on a picnic blanket. The strapless jacquard ballgown features a structured bodice and full skirt with subtle floral texture. A floral choker accessory completes the romantic garden-inspired look.

Calling all vintage lovers: Fortune Marie was made for your chic and moody sensibility. This princess ball gown is cut from unembellished floral jacquard, with topstitched corset detail on the bodice and a strapless cat eye neckline. The detachable straps are included, and a lace-up corset closure gives it a romantic, storybook finish.

Giving Away the Bride

For generations, the moment was unmistakable. A father walks the bride down the aisle, then places their hand in the groom’s. It’s one of the most recognizable images in any wedding, and for many families, it’s still the one that gets everyone reaching for a tissue.

These days, couples are keeping the heart of it and rewriting the rest. Maybe both parents walk the bride down the aisle together. Maybe it’s their mom, a grandparent, a sibling, or the friend who’s been there through everything. Some brides choose to walk solo, and there’s something pretty powerful about that, too. Other couples have both partners escorted in by their families, or let the officiant ask who supports the marriage so everyone can answer together.

There’s no wrong way to do it. What matters is that the person (or people) beside you are the ones who make you feel most like yourself.

Bridal parties

Group portrait of a wedding party beneath a vine-covered pergola. The groom and groomsmen wear classic black tuxedos with bow ties and sunglasses, walking toward the camera in an outdoor venue. Photo by JAO Photography. — PC: JAO Photography

Bride wearing the Sottero and Midgley Giselle wedding dress posing with a man in a tux and bridal wedding party in a garden setting. The ivory gown features an off-the-shoulder neckline, draped bodice, and fitted silhouette. The group stands beneath sunlit tree branches surrounded by lush greenery. Photo by JAO Photography. — PC: JAO Photography

Traditionally, the bridal party lines up at the altar, bridesmaids on one side, groomsmen on the other, standing beside the couple for the whole ceremony. It’s a classic look, and it’s a sweet way to show off the people who’ve been in your corner.

These days, couples are mixing it up. Some are skipping the lineup altogether and having the bridal party sit in the audience with their families, so it’s just the two of you up front. It keeps the focus on you, makes for cleaner photos, and lets your people enjoy the ceremony instead of standing for it. Others keep a small group at the altar, or mix and match with a few honorary spots in the front row.

FAQ

Why do brides wear white wedding dresses?
White became the standard after Queen Victoria wore a white lace gown for her wedding in 1840. Before that, brides typically wore their best dress in any color. Today, white still symbolizes tradition, though many brides now choose ivory, blush, colorful gowns, or even black.

Is it still bad luck for the groom to see the bride before the wedding?
That superstition dates back to arranged marriages, but most couples today don’t treat it as a real rule. Many choose a first look, a private moment before the ceremony that calms nerves and leaves more time for photos.

What is the “something blue” tradition?
It comes from an old English rhyme: something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue. Blue represents love, loyalty, and purity. Brides often add a small blue detail, like shoes, jewelry, or embroidery inside the dress, and some wear a blue gown.

Bride wearing the Maggie Sottero Serafina wedding dress posing with a partner inside a cathedral. The ivory ballgown features an off-the-shoulder neckline, lace-accented bodice, and full skirt with a sweeping train. The bride carries a bouquet of white calla lilies, red anthuriums, and cascading greenery. Photo by Hector Javier. — PC: Photos by Hector

Back view of a bride wearing the Maggie Sottero Serafina wedding dress standing with a partner on a cobblestone street lined with colorful historic buildings. The ivory ballgown features a full skirt, chapel-length train, covered buttons down the back, and a lace-trimmed veil cascading over the train. Photo by Hector Javier. — PC: Photos by Hector

Making Traditions Your Own

At the end of the day, wedding traditions are meant to add meaning to your celebration, not to box you in. Keep the ones that make your heart skip, update the ones that feel a little dated, and skip the rest without a second thought. Whether you’re wearing white, black, or something blue, walking down the aisle with your parents or on your own, the best traditions are the ones that feel like you.

Ready to start planning? Browse our latest gowns to find the one that fits your story.

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