Changing Norms! 7 Things That Were Once Taboo but Are Now Considered "Chic Weddings"

2020.07.02 published

How Much Does Everyone Care? Wedding Omens and Taboos

"Omens" are something that every couple preparing for their wedding thinks about at least once.

From the registration date to the actual wedding date, from taboo words to gifts…

Though "omens" are something we usually don't think about, they tend to become a concern when it comes to weddings.

How much should we care about omens, jinxes, and taboos?

Have past couples adhered strictly to these traditions?

@chachacoco_original_wedding

Things That Were Taboo in the Past but Have Become Standard Now!

For a long time, weddings have been rituals to solidify the bonds between families. That's why omens and taboos have been emphasized.

However, modern weddings have a strong role of 'expressing gratitude to those around us' and 'having others witness the start of our life together.'

With the rise of non-traditional styles of weddings, including ceremonies before witnesses, there has been an increase in free-form ceremonies.

Consequently, many practices that were previously unthinkable are now widely accepted.

@wedding____25

In this article, we will introduce things that were once considered taboo but are now chosen by many brides and admired for being stylish, referred to as "former taboos."

How much one should care about omens and jinxes varies from person to person.

It might be a good idea to discuss with your partner or family, "What do you think about this?"

Once Taboo but Now Stylish: Hydrangeas

Hydrangeas reach their peak bloom between May and July.

Many people love the soft and gentle colors of hydrangeas, don’t they?

Hydrangeas change color depending on the time of year and the soil conditions, which gives them the meaning of "fickle," "infidelity," and "impermanence."

Thus, they have been considered unlucky for weddings.

@meme0206

However, recently they have become widely recognized for their positive flower language of "family reunion."

It seems that there are increasing cases of giving hydrangeas on Mother's Day.

In the wedding scene, bouquets of hydrangeas and dresses inspired by hydrangeas have appeared.

It is not unusual for a June bride to choose hydrangeas for the main floral arrangements at her wedding.

The number of people who feel "hydrangeas are unlucky for weddings" has significantly decreased compared to a decade or so ago.

Rather, for future brides, they are likely to be known as a popular material.

Once Taboo but Now Stylish: Dried Flowers

Dried flowers, with their slightly muted and chic colors, are attractive.

They often appear as bouquets, venue decorations, hair accessories, and DIY materials.

However, from a feng shui perspective, dried flowers are seen as "dead flowers," which is considered unlucky.

Therefore, some venues and salons have avoided providing dried flower bouquets.

@atelierdefleurir

However, nowadays, fashionable brides are flocking to carry dried flower bouquets,

florists are proposing dried flower decorations, and hair and makeup artists are creating trends with bridal hairstyles adorned with dried flowers.

It seems that there are fewer people who think, "Aren’t dried flowers dead flowers?"

@jewel_flower_antique

Once Taboo but Now Stylish: Artificial Flowers

Similar to dried flowers, artificial flowers are also viewed unfavorably from the feng shui perspective.

Feng shui ideals favor living flowers above all. In the past, all wedding flowers were fresh blooms.

However, in recent years, the technology for artificial flowers has dramatically improved, and incredibly realistic artificial flowers have started to be used in weddings.

@jewel_flower_antique

Moreover, there are numerous advantages to using artificial flowers:

☑ They won't wilt, so you can keep them even after the wedding.

☑ They can be used for pre-wedding and post-wedding photos.

☑ You can use flowers that are out of season.

Some brides are beginning to think from the start, "I want my bouquet to be an artificial flower rather than fresh."

If parents or grandparents question the choice of artificial flowers, you might consider sharing these advantages.

Some venues offer budget-friendly plans for tabletop decorations made with artificial flowers.

@jewel_flower_antique

Once Taboo but Now Stylish: Black Dresses

When it comes to bridal attire, pure white wedding dresses and traditional shiromuku are the norm.

Therefore, the idea of wearing a "black dress," the complete opposite, was unthinkable in past weddings.

(It's nostalgic to remember when Avril Lavigne wore a completely black dress for her wedding and faced backlash - about 15 years ago!)

While brides wearing black dresses have existed abroad for some time, in Japan, black attire is strongly associated with mourning, leading to many feeling resistance.

However, in recent years, the popularity of chic, muted color dresses has grown, and more brands producing black dresses are emerging.

Among today’s younger women, there seems to be an image of "being stylish because I won't match with others."

It feels like more bridal salons in Japan will soon have black dresses as a standard option in their lineup.♡

Once Taboo but Now Stylish: Separate Dresses

Separate dresses, popular as pre-wedding and second-party dresses, feature casual wedding attire where the top and skirt are separate.

However, some associate them with taboo words that suggest 'to part', 'to separate', or 'to break', seeing them as unsuitable for weddings.

Yet, especially in modern times, many view taboos as superstitions without strong foundations.

If a bride wears a separate dress stylishly in her unique way and appears happy, it’s unlikely that the guests will harbor negative feelings about her bridal look.

@191214_wd

Once Taboo but Now Stylish: Open-Toe Pumps

Open-toe pumps expose the toes, which has led to the association with "toes" -> "wives first" -> suggesting the wife predeceasing the husband, thus being seen as a taboo in bridal shoes.

(It almost feels like a word association game!)

However, many popular bridal shoes abroad are open-toe, and such styles are gradually becoming accepted in Japan.

Conversely, some brides are keenly selecting open-toe shoes. They enjoy taking stylish photos of their feet.

Perhaps it's the uniqueness of their special pair that makes them feel attached to it.

Once Taboo but Now Stylish: Family-Centered Performances

Until the previous generation, weddings were primarily hosted by the parents of the bride and groom. Thus, the hosting relatives would offer hospitality to the guests.

Consequently, at the reception, they sit at the back and greet the guests.

During the bride's letter reading, there is often a phrase apologizing for expressing gratitude at that occasion.

This is due to the belief that it would be rude for the parents, as the hosts, to be in the spotlight.

However, nowadays, many couples are listing themselves as the senders on invitations rather than their fathers.

The guests likely wish to see "the heartwarming moments of the family."

Performances that spotlight families, such as the last bite or thank-you videos, have also become popular.

A wedding where both the family and guests share tears, laughter, and happiness seems to be what is desired today.

@mochan_40

The Era of Reiwa: Taboos May Continue to Decrease

We have introduced items that were once considered unlucky or taboo but are now seen as standard or even stylish.

You might have been surprised to realize that something was considered taboo!

Whether one believes in omens, feng shui, or folk tales varies by individual, but it feels like we will see more new-style, unconventional weddings emerging.

While it’s essential to understand the traditions and customs of the past, it’s also important for couples to consider how they wish to make their choices.

@haru_0611wd