Weddings have changed sooo much over the last few decades, and we know that they’ll continue to do so over the next 10, 20, 30 years. It’s a great thing, too, because we change and grow right alongside our celebrations – it’s only appropriate, to be able to service our clients and make sure their days are the best of their lives! Our couples have done such creative things with their first looks, their signature cocktails, and their ceremonies, and we look forward to seeing how each of our brides and grooms sets their own rules for their special day. Because rules were made to be broken in the modern wedding experience.
All that being said, of course there are some traditions that we’d be terribly sad to see go. Things that have been woven into the wedding world forever, and are truly permanent parts of our weddings here at Leonard’s Palazzo.
We probably don’t even have to tell you about them, because our Instagram feed is filled with photos of our newlyweds dancing [like no one’s watching], listening to heartfelt toasts, and cutting their beautifully-crafted cakes, but we’ll do so anyway, if it will keep the traditions alive for as long as we do weddings!
The first dance.
Sure, the first dance format has changed a little bit, here and there, but it still spotlights a couple who just said ‘I Do,’ holding each other close while they sway to lyrics that have always spoken to their love. There’s always anticipation for this nice, romantic moment, it starts the party off on the right foot (quite literally!) and it gives the band a chance to impress within the first few moments of the reception. As someone who’s been a guest at three weddings in the last eight months alone, I cannot wait to see the first dance and hear how the entertainers are handling the hype. A good band does a couple’s first dance justice – they faithfully learn the lyrics, they sing them with their whole heart and soul, and the newlyweds just melt into each other.
Not to mention, we happen to have some of the coolest couples around. They do epic things with their first dances! 🔥🔥🔥🔥
The champagne toast.
Nope, it doesn’t always have to involve champagne (any kind of celebratory sip does the job), but the wedding toast(s) are kind of an imperative part of the picture. We love hearing sentimental, sometimes super funny speeches – from the Best Man, the Maid of Honor, parents of our couple, even the bride and groom themselves. It’s classic and always a very special moment. It’s also such a huge deal for the couple to hear well wishes from their closest confidants – I so looked forward to hearing my sister’s speech at my wedding, and I couldn’t wait to return the favor at her wedding last fall. The reciprocity is undoubtedly a part of the tradition, and the tear-filled photos that transpire are just too good to let go.
It also gives guests time to sit back in their chairs and relax for a few minutes, drink in hand.
…. Writing your MOH speech right now? Don’t let it stress you out, just use these quick tips to guide you!
- Address both the bride and groom
- Keep it classy and elegant
- Make it short and sweet!
The cake cutting.
Yes, the cake cutting ceremony is a wedding tradition dating back to Roman and Medieval times, but today, it needs no introduction, no sugar-coated pomp and circumstance, truly. It’s just delicious – in way more ways than one! The photos are sweet, the songs played in the background are scrumptious, the silly moments shared between the couple are downright tasty, and at the end of it, there’s confection perfection on a plate. While we now see some more unique ideas other than just a wedding cake (love us a doughnut, cupcake tower, cinnamon roll stacks (which actually harken back to those old days – layers of buns were the earliest wedding cakes), etc.), the overall idea is ALWAYS our favorite.
Here are just a few of our top-tier frosted (or lack thereof) favorites!