After the buzz of Harry and Meghan’s Royal Wedding, we’ve got curious about English vs American wedding traditions. Take a look at what we found!
The aisle walk
Interesting fact - in English weddings the bridesmaids walk in behind the bride, but in American ceremonies, the bridesmaids enter first as an exciting build-up to the bride’s entrance. Which way round have you decided on?
Speeches
Speeches differ from wedding to wedding but according to tradition, American wedding speeches are heartfelt and extremely sentimental and often the bride and groom do it together. English wedding speeches can sometimes be perceived more as ‘roasts’ instead of toasts. It’s often seen as a way for the best men (and sometimes ushers) to get their own back and rinse the groom of all the embarrassing stories he has.
Photographs
It’s a classic tradition in America to do ‘first look’ photos. A first look is a really special moment that typically takes place an hour or so before the wedding ceremony where the couple sees each other for the first time, rather than waiting until the ceremony itself. This makes for a lovely photo opportunity and of course, an intimate, private moment for the couple to have before the chaos of the big day - a tradition that’s becoming more and more popular in English weddings.
Guest attire
Guests attire can differ from wedding to wedding unless of course, you’ve got a wedding colour scheme or a themed wedding which requires fancy dress or certain costumes. British female guests often wear hats which adds a lovely special touch (plus there’s a definite unspoken competition for the best hat too). For American chaps, a smart tuxedo is often the most popular choice as opposed to morning suits or tails for English men.
For more information on Wedding Etiquette and Traditions click this link.