Being a wedding photographer in Halifax, Nova Scotia, I have been to a LOT of Maritime weddings. Weddings have also changed significantly over the past decade, with more emphasis on creating a unique celebration that truly encompasses the personality of the couple exchanging vows, with a little less weight placed on older, sometimes outdated traditions and opinions. Here’s a few things to remember when you’re planning your Nova Scotia wedding.
• Traditions don’t matter unless they matter to YOU.
Don’t feel obligated to include traditions that do not hold special meaning or significance to you as a couple.
• You and your partner can get ready together if that’s what you want.
You don’t have to wait for a first look or that walk down the aisle to see your love for the first time - it’s your day, why not spend it together?
• You don’t need to have a big wedding to have a great wedding.
Micro weddings and elopements are just as beautiful as big weddings, while often being more intimate and relaxed. There’s no pressure to have a big guest list.
• You don’t need a wedding party if you don’t want one.
It can be a lot of commitment to be part of a wedding party, so your friends might appreciate this one too! There are other ways to include the people who are important to you without having a wedding party.
• Invest your money on the elements that are most important to you; skip the things that aren’t (whether that’s a cake, wedding favours, or bridal shoes).
If your priority is photography or an incredible meal for your guests, splurge on that - wedding favours, candy bars, fancy heels or miles of string lights are lovely touches but can be left out and no one will notice, I promise!
• You are allowed to only invite people who want to love and celebrate you - or no one at all!
You can have a wedding with just yourselves and your witnesses and it is JUST as much of a wedding as it would be with 200 people present. Surround yourself with friends and family who love you and want to share in this incredible event, no one else is required.
What’s something you’re doing to keep your wedding uniquely “you”?