What are the traditional etiquette practices for a British wedding?

Many traditional British wedding etiquette practices have softened over the years, but some still hold. Historically, the bride's family hosted and paid for the wedding, and the groom asked the bride's father for permission to marry. Today, many couples pay themselves or share costs, and the permission question is often a courtesy or a joke.

The father walking the bride down the aisle remains common, though many brides now walk with both parents, a sibling, or alone. The order of speeches is traditional: the father of the bride speaks first, welcoming guests and toasting the couple, then the groom responds and toasts the bridesmaids, and finally the best man gives a humorous speech and toasts the couple.

Other traditions include the bride wearing 'something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue', the couple cutting the cake together, and the first dance. The couple should also have two witnesses to sign the marriage schedule. These traditions are not rules. You can keep, adapt, or drop them. What matters is that the day feels right for you and your guests.