Something old, something gone: The British wedding traditions on borrowed time

New Aspall research reveals the wedding traditions that are being dropped - from the bouquet toss and choreographed first dances, to the father-of-the-bride speech - and the modern alternatives taking their place.

Speeches given only by men (36%), a choreographed first dance (34%) and the formal receiving line (30%) are among the wedding traditions that couples are keenest to ditch, a new study reveals.

Wearing a veil, the 15-minute father-of-the-bride speech with no speech from the bride, and the traditional tiered fruit cake are also increasingly falling out of favour as Brits tie the knot, researchers found.

The study of 2,000 adults found the bride and groom not seeing each other the night before (26%), wedding favours at every place setting (23%), wearing a white dress (18%) and separate stag and hen dos (16%) are also on borrowed time - along with a formal, sit down three-course meal (19%), the father of the bride giving the bride away (18%) and the bouquet toss (16%). 

The welcome drink is part of that shift. Prosecco or Champagne has been the default at British weddings for years, but over half (56%) wished they were offered an alternative drink. Asked what they would prefer instead, almost a third chose wine, with one in seven saying they would prefer a classic G&T or fine cider.

The research was commissioned by Aspall, which has been pressing cyder in Suffolk since 1728 and recommends its fine cyder as the perfect alternative celebratory tipple - a light, crisp fizz with a dry finish and notes of orchard fruit, served chilled in a coupe rather than a pint glass.

And, with 40% confirming they would serve fine cider at their own wedding or celebration - couples are more open than ever to stepping outside the expected running order.

Aspall’s Master Pommelier Paul Rudge commented: “I like a prosecco from time to time, but it’s clear, as a nation, we are crying out for more variety at our celebratory occasions. Cider has long been considered a beer garden beverage, but fine cyder like Aspall offers the crisp fizz of prosecco, but with added fruity nuance and flavour complexity.”

Spritz (13%) and negronis (6%) were also picked as drinks we would rather celebrate with at weddings, and for couples after a cocktail moment, Aspall has created the ‘Aspall Spritz’ - a premium cyder take on the spritz.

For the recipe:

• 25ml orange liqueur 
• 25ml soda water Top with Aspall Draught Cyder 
• Pour into a large wine glass and garnish with orange 
• Link for further information here

Other changes being made to the wedding rule book include having a speech from the bride (27%), walking down the aisle together (21%) and having dogs or other pets in the wedding party (19%).

Aspall Cyder is available in selected pubs,barsand retailers nationwide, including Waitrose, Sainsbury's, ASDA, Tesco, Morrisons, Amazon, Co-Op and Ocado.

16 wedding traditions that should be retired:

1. Speeches from the men only (no speech from the bride) (38%)
2. The traditional tiered fruit cake (28%)
3. A long father-of-the-bride speech (27%)
4. The bride and groom not seeing each other the night before (26%)
5. The choreographed first dance (24%)
6. Wearing a veil (23%)
7. Wedding favours at every place setting (23%)
8. The formal receiving line (22%)
9. A sit-down three-course meal (19%)
10. Wearing a white dress (18%)
11. The father of the bride giving the bride away (18%)
12. Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue (17%)
13. The bouquet toss (16%)
14. A formal seating plan (16%)
15. Separate stag and hen dos (16%)
16. Bridesmaids in matching dresses (16%)

15 wedding traditions that couples are keen to skip:

1. Speeches from the men only (no speech from the bride) (36%)
2. The choreographed first dance (34%)
3. A long father-of-the-bride speech (33%)
4. The traditional tiered fruit cake (33%)
5. The formal receiving line (30%)
6. Wedding favours at every place setting (29%)
7. Bride wearing a veil (28%)
8. The bride and groom not seeing each other the night before (26%)
9. The sit-down three-course meal (24%)
10. The bouquet toss (23%)
11. Bridesmaids in matching dresses (22%)
12. A formal top table (22%)
13. Separate stag and hen dos (22%)
14. The father of the bride giving her away (21%)
15. Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue (21%)

15 wedding trends on the rise:

1. A small 'micro-wedding' with fewer than 30 guests (41%)
2. Cash gifts, or contributions towards the honeymoon, instead of a gift list (40%)
3. An open bar, so guests can order the drink they actually want (33%)
4. A speech from the bride (27%)
5. Street-food vans or sharing plates instead of a sit-down meal (27%)
6. Wearing a non-white dress, or a favourite outfit instead (26%)
7. A quirky wedding cake - a novelty design, a tower of cheese, pork pies or a chocolate fountain (26%)
8. A glass of fine cider, cocktail or spritz as the welcome drink instead of prosecco or Champagne (22%)
9. Bridesmaids in non-matching outfits (22%)
10. Walking down the aisle together (21%)
11. Dogs or other pets in the wedding party (19%)
12. A joint pre-wedding party instead of separate stag and hen dos (19%)
13. The couple spending the night before the wedding together (18%)
14. A delayed honeymoon (18%)
15. A pre-wedding break (9%)