UK Wedding Traditions: Which Should You Keep, Ditch, or Modernise?
Timeless Wedding Traditions vs Modern Twists!
Most Weddings are full of traditions, some timeless, some a bit quirky. As a Hertfordshire Wedding Photographer, I’ve seen it all: the heartfelt, the hilarious, and the downright unusual. Some traditions are worth keeping, others can be modernised, and a few you might happily ditch altogether.
In this post, I’m breaking down my favourite UK wedding traditions by the flow of the day, from the morning prep to the evening party and sharing how to make them meaningful, modern, and of course, super photogenic.
Morning: “Something Old, Something New”
You’ve probably heard the phrase “something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue” before. It’s one of the most famous UK wedding traditions. But what does it really mean, and why should you care?
“Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue” is a classic UK wedding tradition meant to bring luck to the bride. Something old represents family and heritage, something new symbolises your fresh start, something borrowed brings happiness from a loved one, and something blue stands for loyalty and love. Modern couples often get creative with these, from heirloom brooch bouquets to embroidered handkerchiefs, making them sentimental, personal, and perfect for photographs.
But for me as Wedding Photographer, these little touches aren’t just superstition; they’re tiny threads of sentiment woven into the fabric of your day. They’re the moments that really make your wedding photos sing.
One of my absolute favourite “something blue” moments was a bride who carried a delicate blue handkerchief embroidered with her late mother’s handwriting. To anyone else, it might have looked like a pretty detail tucked into her bouquet, but for her, it was a deeply personal connection. A piece of her mum walking with her down the aisle. Honestly, moments like that make my heart melt every single time.
And I’m a sucker for hidden sentimental items in general. I once photographed a wedding where the bride’s bouquet was made entirely from her grandmother’s brooches. Every pin had a story, a memory, a little spark of family history, and it photographed beautifully. Other couples hide heirlooms in the lining of a dress, tie charms onto their shoes, or carry small items from loved ones in their pockets. It’s the tiniest details that often carry the most meaning.
A Wedding Photographers Tip for couples:
If you’ve got sentimental items like these, have a little box or basket ready for your wedding photographer to capture. That way, nothing gets lost in the morning chaos, and they can make sure these treasures are photographed beautifully. They might seem small at the time, but these are the details you’ll come back to over and over. They make some of the most cherished photos of the day. Take a look at my wedding photography portfolio for inspiration.
“Given Away” or Your Way
As a Hertfordshire Wedding Photographer I have photographed so many weddings! Whether you stick to tradition or do it your way, to me, it’s all about how it feels and the sentiment behind it.
The idea of a bride being “given away” by her father on her wedding day has deep historical roots. Centuries ago, it symbolised the transfer of ownership or responsibility from one family to another and let’s be honest, that can feel pretty outdated today. I completely understand why some people might roll their eyes at the origins of this tradition. But here’s the beautiful part: over time, it’s evolved from a legal formality into a truly sentimental and poignant moment and one I love as a Wedding Photographer. Nowadays, it’s less about “ownership” and more about support, love, and connection. For many families, that first walk down the aisle with a parent is emotional, heartwarming, and one of those moments you’ll remember forever.
As a Hertfordshire Wedding Photographer, I’ve seen the magic of this moment again and again, the proud smiles, the tears, the hugs. Even if the traditional history doesn’t resonate, the modern interpretation is all about family, love, and creating memories, and that’s what makes it such a powerful photo opportunity.
Of course, not every couple wants or needs to follow this tradition. Maybe both parents walk you down the aisle, maybe a sibling or close friend accompanies you, or maybe you make your own entrance solo. Whatever works for you and your family setup, the sentiment and emotion can be just as powerful, and as your Wedding Photographer, capturing that authentic connection is what matters most.
Who walks you down the aisle is entirely up to you. Tradition or modern twist, it’s your moment. I’ve photographed all sorts of aisle walks, from classic father-daughter moments to modern twists, and you can see a few here.
A Wedding Photographers Tip for couples:
Think about who makes you feel supported and loved in that moment, and plan your aisle walk around that. Having a clear plan helps your photographer capture genuine, emotional shots without any last-minute scrambling. Whether it’s the classic father-daughter moment or a modern twist, these are some of the most memorable photos of the day.
Let The Confetti Fly?
This is one of those moments every wedding photographer loves capturing. This Confetti walk at Fanhams Hall Hertfordshire is no expection.
Confetti started way back in the 14th century. Couples were showered with grains and rice to wish them fertility, prosperity, and good luck. Thankfully, nowadays we stick to items which are much easier to clean up!
The confetti throw is one of those joyous moments that never fails to put smiles on faces and make for some of the most vibrant, fun wedding photos. Whether you go for traditional petals, biodegradable confetti, colourful streamers, or even bubbles, these little bursts of celebration add personality and magic to your day. I’ve seen couples use streamers that caught the sunlight perfectly, and others opt for bubbles that added a whimsical, dreamy touch, every choice makes your photos uniquely yours.
As a Hertfordshire Wedding Photographer, I help organise this moment so it runs smoothly, usually right after your ceremony. I’ll guide your guests on where to stand and how to throw, making sure you get the very best from this fun, fleeting moment.
What if it rains on your wedding day?
Some venues allow a confetti throw indoors, some don’t allow it at all. It’s always worth checking in advance and having alternatives like bubbles or streamers ready. A tip I love giving couples: the confetti shot doesn’t have to include the whole wedding party. If the weather is tricky, we can capture this just with your closest friends or family, sometimes even under porchways or small outdoor coverings, no need to brave the elements with everyone outside.
A Wedding Photographers Tip for couples:
Have guests throw it upwards, not directly at your faces.
Gather everyone together immediately after the ceremony for a clear, open shot.
Keep a small basket of confetti, streamers, or bubble solution handy and assign someone to distribute it.
See how I capture confetti throws, bubbles, and other joyful candid moments in my wedding gallery. These bursts of fun make some of the most vibrant, memorable images of your day, and they’re always worth planning for.
Wedding Speeches – Short, Sweet, or Storytelling?
Speeches at Weddings, are one of those traditions that can make or break the energy of your reception. As a Hertfordshire Wedding Photographer I have heard a few!
Speeches made on a wedding day in the UK began in Victorian times, when fathers and grooms formally addressed guests to offer thanks and advice. These days, they’ve evolved into heartfelt stories, laughter, and a few happy tears! Moments as a Wedding Photographer that I love to capture!
Speeches are one of those traditions that can make or break the energy of your reception. There’s nothing like the mix of nerves, humour, and heartfelt words as the best man, father of the bride, or even the couple themselves take the mic. The reactions of your family and friends in the room often make for some of the most genuine, emotional shots of the day.
That said, long, drawn-out wedding speeches aren’t for everyone. Modern couples are increasingly adapting the traditional format to be inclusive, and light-hearted, sometimes letting mums, siblings, or close friends join in too. This way, everyone gets a moment to shine, and the photos stay full of natural smiles, laughter, and maybe a few happy tears.
A Wedding Photographers Tip for couples:
Think about the order of speeches to capture the best reactions.
Make sure there’s good lighting, even/natural window light can make all the difference.
Don’t worry about perfect posed shots; candid reactions are far more memorable.
If you want, I can guide you subtly during speeches so we capture the laughter, tears, and cheeky smiles without interrupting anyone.
Wedding speeches are a perfect opportunity for storytelling through photos. If you’d like to see how I capture these heartfelt, humorous, and often chaotic moments, check out my wedding gallery.
Let Them Eat Cake (and Dance!)
The evening of your wedding is all about celebration, and two of the most iconic moments are the cake cutting and your first dance. This is your Wedding Photographers opportunity to get real close!
The evening of your wedding is all about celebration, and two of the most iconic moments are the cake cutting and your first dance. As a Hertfordshire wedding photographer, these are some of my favourite shots because they’re full of emotion, joy, and sometimes a little bit of chaos, all the things that make your day unforgettable.
Cake Cutting:
Cutting the wedding cake dates back to medieval England, where breaking a loaf over the bride’s head symbolised fertility and good fortune. Luckily, today it’s all about sweet treats, fun photos, and a moment to celebrate together — perfect for your wedding photographer to capture! The traditional cake cutting is more than just dessert, it’s a moment that symbolizes partnership, teamwork, and, let’s be honest, is pretty fun to photograph! Couples are getting creative these days, from elaborate dessert tables to champagne towers or mini cake stacks. Whatever you choose, these moments make for playful and memorable photos. This is traditionally done before the first dance, however, you can do this whenever you want! You could even do it during your drinks reception and replace canapes with cake!
First Dance:
In Victorian England, the first dance was usually a formal waltz performed by the newlyweds at the start of the evening reception. It symbolised the couple’s first steps together in their married life. The first dance is often a highlight of the evening, whether it’s a romantic slow dance or a choreographed number that gets everyone cheering. Modern couples often invite guests to join halfway through or create a relaxed, casual vibe rather than a spotlight moment, and these variations always make for authentic, emotional photography. As a Hertfordshire Wedding Photographer, the first dance is honestly one of my most favourite moments!
A Wedding Photographers Tip for couples:
For the cake cutting, make sure there’s a clear space for photos even a small area works.
For the first dance, I love capturing both the couple and guests’ reactions. The best moments are often the candid smiles, laughter, and maybe a few happy tears.
Don’t stress about perfection, the beauty is in the emotion, the connection and movement, not the precise choreography.
