We didn’t walk down the aisle. My husband and I, along with the wedding party, were already standing at the front as our guests were seated (it was an outdoor wedding, so we were in this cute little gazebo under a gorgeously blue desert sky). And, you know–it wasn’t because we had some moral objection to walking down the aisle, or even a fear of tripping (which is usually a very real concern of mine, just in normal everyday life!).

It was partly comfort–I don’t love being the center of attention, even on my wedding day. But I also realized I wanted to see all of our friends and family members walk toward us, their faces all expectant and happy, instead of us parading past them. Don’t get me wrong, I love watching my friends who get married walk down the aisle. But this way just seemed right for us.

My dad still gave me away, which was important to him, and we incorporated the traditions that meant something to my husband’s family (like stepping on a glass). It was sort of a pinch-of-this-pinch-of-that kind of wedding–and it worked for us.

What wedding traditions are most important to you? Which ones are you definitely going to include? Which couldn’t you care less about?