15 Wedding Traditions That Are Totally OK to Break

Do you want to make a speech? Go for it. Absolutely no one is going to stop you — and why should they? If your dad doesn't fancy the whole public speaking thing, he doesn't have to. The speeches are a great opportunity to thank people who have been a part of your wedding, but you get to decide who speaks, no one else.

Sure, you've got your girls and you want them next to you on your big day, if only to help you with your dress when you need a wee. But it seems a shame to leave out your brother or your oldest pal just because he happens to be a chap. Include them. Make them a "bridesman," or have a best man. Have an all-male bridal party if you want to. Why not? Whatever you want to call them, include the people that will make your day special. And if you want nobody at all, that's fine, too.

This is an old tradition that doesn't really sit well with some people nowadays. Women do not "belong" to anyone but themselves, thank you very much. However, having someone walk you down the aisle can be a lovely thing. It could be one parent, both of them, or another special family member or friend. They could walk you halfway, if you want (if it's good enough for Meghan Markle, it's good enough for us). You can also choose walk yourself down the aisle. It is absolutely and completely up to you.

You can write your own if you're not getting married in a church, and you can cut out that bit about obeying anyone.

Check with your venue before your guests start handing out confetti and rice. A lot of places ban it because it's not always biodegradable and it's a total pain to clean up.

You paid a lot of money for those flowers.

Some people love the first dance: that number the bride and groom spent weeks learning, the song choice, the final old Hollywood kiss. In the moment, they're all part of a lovely day, but like the rest of your wedding, this is something you should only do if you really, really want to.

Rows of family members all looking stilted at the camera don't really say happy wedding. If that's not what you want, ask your photographer to take a more candid approach. You can still get those family shots, but it'll look like you're having fun in the moment instead of waiting for a bus. Instant cameras and a makeshift photobooth will also help you capture natural pics. Your formal photos are never going to be your favourites from the day, so don't stress about them too much.

You don't even have to have a wedding cake if you don't want to. It's nice to have something to cut together (although in Bavaria, the couple saw through a log together — so that's something to bear in mind!), but wedding cakes are expensive and if you're cutting costs, this is a quick way to do it. Consider a cheese wheel or one small cake to cut together, and the offer other sweet treats. Or go for a French classic — the croquembouche.

Traditionally, Christian brides used to wear blue on their wedding days. Most couples live together these days, so the jig is up. Wear whatever colour you like, you're going to look amazing.

Brides wearing separates, super chic white jumpsuits, or tuxedos are the coolest, sexiest brides, and their weddings are the most fun.

No one will even notice.

There are some positives to getting hitched at the weekend, but you'll save a lot of money getting married mid-week. Plus, all of your guests get to take the day off work, and that's something that most of them will jump at.

Everyone is going to have an opinion on this. There are valid arguments to keep your own name and no doubt strong reasons to change it. You can double barrel, or even pick a whole new name for just the two of you, if you don't mind the extra paperwork. This is something that people will want to weigh in on, but you can only really do what feels right for you. This is a part of the wedding that your partner doesn't get much of a say in. It's your name for the rest of your life, and it's up to you what it is.