Tradition has fallen to the wayside when it comes to wedding receptions in the Garden State and across the country. According to experts on the topic, the day when couples say "I do" has changed dramatically over the years, and social media is a major reason.

Wedding
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Jamie Miles, managing editor of The Knot, said couples' primary focus these days is differentiating their wedding from everyone else's.

"People are so overexposed to wedding pictures on social media," she said. "And so they're really looking to have their wedding stand out, and it's all about personalization."

Minor details such as signature cocktails and handcrafted decorations give couples the chance to separate their special day from the rest of the pack.

In the process, traditional wedding measures are taking a back seat. Miles said bouquet and garter tosses are gradually heading towards extinction. Some brides have tried to stand out by choosing a wedding dress color that isn't white.

"They're wearing black, they're wearing blue," she said. "And they're not necessarily seeing their fiancé coming down the aisle for the first time. They're seeing them beforehand and getting photos."

Social media has also become the go-to vehicle for couples to instantly share their big day. So-called supercharged weddings feature a cell phone charging station at each reception table, and the wedding hashtag is promoted from the moment family and friends arrive for the initial ceremony.

A spokesman for the Channel Club in Monmouth Beach said couples today definitely have more ideas than they had in the past, thanks to sites like Pinterest and reality programs like Four Weddings.

"We have a dozen to 15 styles of cake to look at in our book, but more and more often we're seeing things that brides are finding online or some other medium," the spokesman said.

The venue also noted a gradual change in the age of couples, claiming it rarely sees a bride and groom under 25 years old. Because of this, couples are contributing more financially these days, if not footing the entire bill themselves.

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