Dealing with Resistance when You're Planning an Ethical Wedding or Non-traditional Wedding

“Always be a first-rate version of yourself instead of a second-rate version of somebody else.” - Judy Garland

Planning an ethical wedding or any kind of alternative wedding often means changing traditions that others are quite accustomed to. This means that you may meet some resistance from friends or relatives who think that you “can't do” whatever it is you want to do.

What Can I Say if I Meet Resistance to my Non-Traditional Wedding?

“Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind.” - Dr. Seuss

How you deal with friends and relatives who object to an alternative wedding will have to be handled on a case-by-case basis. However, here are a few general principles that will help in most situations.

Choosing an Alternative Wedding Dress

What Is an Alternative Wedding Dress?

If you're planning an ethical wedding or any sort of alternative wedding, then you're probably thinking about alternative wedding dresses. For some, this may mean having a fair trade dress that was made without harming the environment, while for others this may mean foregoing the dress altogether and opting for some sexy cutoffs or a tuxedo. As always, it all depends on how the married couple to-be defines their ethics.

What is an “ethical wedding”?

If you search for “ethical wedding,” you’ll find that for most people the term is synonymous with a “green wedding,” “eco friendly wedding,” or otherwise environmentally conscious wedding. However, there is more to an ethical wedding than environmentalism.

Ethical wedding planning for the whole couple: gender and shared responsibilities

You may have noticed that we refer to the "couple" and "he and she" when discussing wedding planning. In my experience, many wedding websites assume that only women are interested in and responsible for the wedding plans, and they are phrased accordingly. It doesn't have to be this way!

How to create your own ethical and non-traditional wedding

If you’re reading this blog, chances are that you are looking for ideas on how to plan your own independent, ethical, and non-traditional wedding. You are probably trying to create a wedding that reflects your values as a couple, rather than adopting a “normal” wedding that does not feel true to you.

You’ve come to the right place!