Why "Missing Out" on a Big Wedding Might Be the Best Thing Ever

Some couples worry that by eloping or having a micro wedding, they’ll be "missing out" on the full traditional wedding experience. But let’s be real—there are plenty of things that are actually great to miss out on. Your wedding is about celebrating your love, not adhering to outdated traditions or forcing yourself through awkward moments that no one actually enjoys. So, let’s raise a glass (to ourselves, because we don’t need a best man to do it for us) and take a look at some of the best parts of a traditional wedding you’ll happily skip!

1. The Bridal Party Intros & Cringey Dancing

You know the scene: a DJ announces the wedding party like they’re an NBA starting lineup, and your friends awkwardly twirl, moonwalk, or attempt a failed "worm" that more closely resembles some bad love-making between them and the floor... While this may be fun for some, it’s also a recipe for secondhand embarrassment. Your wedding doesn’t need forced unrehearsed theatrics, and trust me, no one will miss it.

2. The Parent Dances (Aka, The Longest Three Minutes of Your Life)

Father/daughter, mother/son dances can be sentimental and sweet, but let’s be honest—sometimes they’re just awkward. Whether it’s shuffling side to side for an eternity or trying to avoid crying in front of 150 people, skipping this tradition is a gift to yourself. The modern make-up of families has outpaced this tradition anyway—divorced and remarried parents, LGBTQ+ parents, and blended families make these dances more complicated. Plus, this tradition is rooted in the idea that the parent is having one last intimate moment with their opposite-sex child before they “go off” to their new spouse... It’s weird. It’s Freudian. Let’s skip it.

3. The Bouquet Toss – A Tacky, Gender-Stereotype Reinforcer

The bouquet toss: where single women are corralled onto the dance floor like it’s a sporting event, all for the chance to catch a bunch of flowers that supposedly seals their fate of future matrimony. Not only is this outdated, but do you really want your wedding to feel like a rom-com from the early 2000s? Hard pass.

4. The Garter Toss – Just Gross. No Further Explanation Needed.

Nothing screams "Why are we doing this?" like making your new spouse dig around under your dress in front of your grandma. Need we say more?

5. The Obligatory Best Man/Father of the Bride Speeches

Speeches can be beautiful—if you actually want them. But the expectation that only the best man and the father of the bride get to speak? Pretty outdated. What about the bride’s mom? What about your best friend who isn’t a dude? When you elope or have a micro wedding, speeches are entirely optional. If someone has something meaningful to say, let them! But there’s no pressure for your dad to nervously mumble through a toast that ends with “Anyway, welcome to the family!”, or your best bro to read a speech off his phone recalling escapades from your frat days. Plan this part of your wedding according to what would be most meaningful, not because you feel obligated to check a box.

The Bottom Line? You’re Not Missing Out—You’re Gaining So Much More.

Eloping or having a micro wedding doesn’t mean missing out on anything that truly matters. Instead, you’re gaining intimacy, authenticity, and a wedding day that feels right for you. No forced traditions, no unnecessary stress—just the best parts of celebrating your love, your way. And that’s something worth toasting.