5 Wedding Day Myths You Can Ignore

Are you in the middle of your wedding planning and find yourself confronted with all sorts of customs and beliefs that go along with weddings? Understand that while some of these ‘traditions’ really do make sense; others are just outright ridiculous and can totally be shrugged off.

Here are five such wedding day myths that you can toss aside.

Wedding Myth 1: You cannot be officially engaged without a diamond ring

Uh, yes, you can! You can be officially engaged with a sapphire ring, a ruby ring, a plain band or no ring whatsoever! Some couples can’t afford a diamond ring, and there are even a few women out there (a very few!) who just don’t wear jewelry. We know that ring is a symbol of the engagement, but the only thing necessary to make it official is the bride saying “yes” when her boyfriend asks her to marry him.

I’ve seen some beautiful rings that aren’t made of diamonds.  One of my favorite rings was a black pearl with small diamonds added to it.

Wedding Myth 2: Weddings need to be grand

Your wedding is going to be one the most special day of your life so far. After all, it’s the day you get bound with the person you love and you’re doing this in front of people you care about the most. Your focus, therefore, should be on celebrating your union and not on making a spectacle out of it. Coastal California Weddings focuses on simple weddings.  When we say simple it’s not all the fancy decorations, it’s not 14 bridesmaids standing up with you. It is celebrating the love you share with close friends and family. If you want a big affair, more power to you. But there may come a point where the glitz and glam overpowers the genuineness of what’s meant to be the beginning of a new life for you.  

This is why many brides today are choosing a destination wedding instead of an extravagant union and you can certainly take the same route. This can be wrapped into a honeymoon where the couple travels around California or a  beach themed wedding where the couple lounges on the beach, surfs in the water, and takes a ride on the beach, you get the idea!

Wedding Myth 3: The wedding dress can only be white

This one has to be the most popular of all the wedding day myths around. When it comes to wedding dresses, few people will actually think about anything other than a white wedding gown. The decision to wear white or not was often literally tied to a bride’s wholesomeness in the past. In fact, a white wedding dress has been the symbol of purity since Queen Victoria chose to wear one for her wedding in 1840. But that was almost 180 years ago. Today, you’re free to wear your gown in any color of your choosing. Choosing a blue, champagne, pink or even a black wedding dress is a matter of your personal taste and preference. Even if you don’t want to go all out with the colors, you can still pick a trendy gown (like a mermaid wedding dress) in ivory or pearl white.

For this wedding, the bride wore blush pink and cream http://coastalcaliforniaweddings.com/forest-beach-wedding/. I love this look for a boho themed wedding.

Wedding Myth 4: Bridesmaids should wear matching colors  

Your bridesmaids are individuals, each with her own unique sense of style and taste. While attendants may be expected to wear the same bridesmaid dress, the truth is that they would prefer styles which are similar but not identical. It’s best that you go for convertible bridesmaid dresses in the same color for your girls that they can wear however they like. This will keep the look of your wedding uniform, while also keeping your girls happy. That’s a win-win in our books.

For this wedding, the bridesmaids wore floral pastel colored dresses http://coastalcaliforniaweddings.com/inn-at-the-cove-wedding-in-pismo-beach/.

Wedding Myth 5: The parents of the bride pay for the wedding

This certainly used to be true, but it’s no longer the case. These days, there are very few weddings that don’t involve any financial contribution from the bride and groom. There’s no right and wrong; it’s more a matter of who’s willing and able to contribute what. Often the parents of the bride and the parents of the groom will chip in and pay for it together. Sometimes the couple will contribute as well, or even pay for the whole thing themselves. This is often true for couples who have established careers.  

People get all sorts of ideas in their heads about weddings. What is right, what is wrong, what you simply “must have” or what you should never do. And if you are engaged, you have probably had plenty of well-meaning people tell you all about how you should plan your wedding. Well, not all of that advice can be true, and it certainly isn’t. So, instead of freaking out and giving in to what other people demand is “right” for your wedding, do what you think is right!  

Why you should have a small wedding in Pismo Beach

By Natalie Jones • February 27, 2025
Here’s why you should have a small wedding in Pismo Beach Small weddings are the way to go these days! We aren’t just saying that because small weddings have been our thing since we started our business back in 2015. A small wedding can have the same parts of a large wedding - unforgettable moments, celebration with friends and family and the start of the rest of your life together. But, small wedding have a few more benefits like - less stress, less more, and more of the two of you and what you want for your wedding! We love the scenery of the Central Coast for small weddings. There are million dollar views - from your toes in the sand at one of the beach locations, to overlooking the ocean, to shaded eucalyptus trees, and jagged cliff sides. Small weddings are our favorite because the couple is free to focus on the most important things, like having their day, their way, spending the day with the people who truly matter, and having an amazing day packed with lasting memories. What Is Driving the Trend Toward Smaller Weddings? Several factors are behind the increasing trend of smaller weddings. Modern couples are redefining what it means to celebrate love, and in most cases, they focus on quality over quantity. Small weddings have become for popular and couples embrace fewer guests and find the beauty of intimate gatherings. Changing societal norms and the desire for unique, personalized experiences also make smaller weddings an attractive option. How Do Small Weddings Create More Meaningful Connections? Small weddings foster more meaningful connections by allowing couples to spend quality time with each guest, creating an intimate and personal atmosphere. With fewer attendees, conversations feel more genuine, and guests feel truly valued and appreciated. Some couples will have a few day long celebration for their wedding - starting a few days before the wedding with wine tasting or seeing the sites of the Central Coast, then relax on the beach the next day. After some fun in the sun, it's wedding day. The day will end with a group dinner or casual private reception. Then, the guests will leave and the couple has a few more days to celebrate their honeymoon in Pismo Beach or other beach location. This setting also encourages deeper interactions, making it easier to share special moments, heartfelt toasts, and personal stories. Without the hustle and chaos of a large event, couples and their loved ones can be fully present, strengthening bonds and making the celebration even more memorable. How Does a Smaller Guest List Reduce Wedding Stress? Planning a wedding can be quite challenging. It is easier for couples to plan their weddings with smaller guest lists, as this dramatically lowers their prospects of worrying. Incorporating fewer guests into a wedding means that there are fewer logistical elements to take care of, such as catering, seating arrangements, accommodations, and more people to please. This way, couples can spend more time and energy making their special day more unique instead of fretting over accommodating numerous people. A more personal gathering helps create a homely and calming vibe, giving the couple a chance to make the most of each interaction with their guests. Most importantly, a smaller guest number means that there would be fewer changes needed at the last minute, which translates to lower expenditure and costs. Hence, all attendees, coupled with the couple, can fully enjoy themselves without feeling the pressure of the wedding arrangements. What Are the Financial Benefits of Hosting a Small Wedding? Hosting a small wedding can be a cost-effective choice, offering couples the chance to allocate their budget more intentionally. With fewer guests, expenses for catering, venue size, and decor are reduced, freeing up funds for other priorities such as an unforgettable honeymoon or investing in a dream home. This financial flexibility allows couples to create a celebration that reflects their values and vision without overspending. Celebrate your love story with us! Small weddings are more than just a trend—they represent a shift in how couples approach one of the most important days of their lives. By focusing on intimacy, meaningful connections, and thoughtful planning, small weddings offer a unique and heartfelt way to celebrate love. For couples looking to create a stunning and intimate wedding experience, Coastal California Weddings is your simple and stress-free way to plan your wedding. We provide expert guidance and inspiration.

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