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Mind the Wedding Gap

Keeping All the Generations in the Loop

“Mom, it’s on the website.” “Didn’t you see the group text?” “Just scan the QR code.” These days, the many moving parts of wedding planning can sometimes require translating modern etiquette, digital tools and shifting expectations for every generation.

Technology keeps moving faster than you can say “I do,” and each generation brings its own way of doing things to the wedding world. Yesterday’s innovation of creating a wedding website is already being eclipsed by today’s QR code signs at the reception and even social media coordinators posting live updates to Instagram.

(clockwise from top left) Ashley Burns Photography; Emily Loeppke Photography; Emily Loeppke Photography; Jasper & Oak

Not everyone is going to instinctively know that the dress code, shuttle information and weekend schedule are all tucked away under the “Travel” tab on your website. A little extra communication can go a long way toward keeping everyone on the same page.

INVITATIONS

A simple check-in phone call—not a text—is a good idea for family members who haven’t responded digitally to an invitation. This becomes especially important if you have multiple wedding-related events on the calendar, such as a shower, rehearsal dinner or post-wedding brunch. Guests may think they have already replied when they haven’t.

REGISTRY

Consider registering at one local store if you have guests who may not be comfortable navigating an online registry. Plenty of the bigger retailers still offer that option. Or, even better, find a local, independent store that does.

TWISTS ON TRADITION

As a couple, you get to decide how closely or loosely you want to follow tradition. But if you have family members who may not understand your desire to skip the first dance, wear sneakers or forgo a bridal party, it helps to explain it in advance. As long as you’re not asking guests to do something inconsiderate, overly inconvenient or expensive, you have every right to do things your way. If you get pushback, thank them for their input and tell them you’ll think about it.

On the flip side, older couples planning a wedding may find themselves explaining to their children that RSVPs are arriving by mail and that if someone has a question, they can just pick up the phone and call. Again, open communication is the cure.

ANALOG VS. DIGITAL

If you have your heart set on printed invitations with mail-in RSVPs, don’t apologize for it. Just be clear about how it works for younger family members and guests who may be more accustomed to tapping a link than finding a stamp. And if your kids keep asking whether you have a wedding website, consider asking them to set one up for you. It may be a nice way to involve them while still preserving the tone you want.

Photo: Jasper & Oak

ENTERTAINMENT

If you’re hosting a mixed-age crowd, a varied playlist or a mix of music styles can help everyone feel included. Don’t know what the young kids are listening to these days? Ask your DJ for recommendations.

NAVIGATE FAMILY DYNAMICS

For older couples, especially those blending families, it’s worth thinking intentionally about how to include children and family members from previous marriages. Giving them a meaningful role in the ceremony or reception can help everyone feel part of the day. Weddings have always evolved with the times. The details may look different now—websites instead of enclosure cards, QR codes instead of printed directions, online registries instead of a trip to the department store—but the heart of it remains the same.

At their best, weddings are about hospitality as much as romance— bringing people in, helping them feel welcome and making space for family stories old and new. That may mean explaining the website to a grandparent, or gently telling younger guests that yes, this invitation really does require a response card and a stamp. With clear communication, a bit of flexibility and a sense of humor, even the widest generation gap can start to feel a lot smaller.

All My Stars Photography

Edible Weddings

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