1. Separate Bank Accounts After Marriage

• Wedding Tradition: Couples got a joint bank account; the husband often managed it for the entire household's expense

• Current Trend: Couples are using separate bank accounts and contributing accordingly to the household

• No need to ask permission - What's mine is yours might sound nice in theory but it rarely works out when you fancy that new Gucci dress and he wants to bid on World Cup or Super Bowl tickets that are, you know, “only a few grand like”. If you have separate bank accounts, what's yours is yours and can be spent on whatever you like. Yes, you still have to contribute your fair share to the upkeep of the household but ultimately, what you do with your disposable income is up to you and at no point do you need to ask your partner for permission. Not only will this come in handy when that latest Chanel scent comes on the scene, it will also help maintain your sense of identity, which many women fear losing upon getting married.

• No financial fights - Arguing is a given in any marriage – share a bank account and you'll be fighting over finances too. Assuming you contribute your fair share to the household, managing your finances separately means there is less scope for fights over money matters and a more peaceful household.

• No changes to be made - Not only will you save yourself a lot of arguments by having separate accounts, you will also save yourself the hassle of closing your old accounts and setting up a new one. This can be complicated, time-consuming and can make things very messy in the short term. By keeping your own account, you can carry on banking as normal, without having to notify the world and its mother of any changes.

• Who Pays for What? - Not only will you have to decide how much you both contribute to the running of the household, you will also have to decide who's going to pay for what. Dividing things up evenly can be difficult and can quickly lead to disagreements. Paying for the electricity and paying the mortgage do not equate, for instance. Also, do you think the higher wage-earner should contribute more money to the household? More importantly, does your husband agree? If not, what are you going to do?

• Shared Responsibility - If you're banking on shifting all financial responsibility onto your new husband, bank on this – if you have separate accounts, this is not going to happen. If, on the other hand, you have a joint account, you will find it much easier to shirk your responsibilities. Men are notoriously better at dealing with money and enjoy it. By letting him take control of the finances, you give him an immediate role in the family whilst putting paid to all that boring money business in the process.

• Commitment - Again, it depends on the couple. Maybe you have a valid reason for keeping separate accounts but if your only reason is fear of a messy divorce down the track, you may not be marrying for the right reasons

2. Refusing to Stay Apart the Night Before the Wedding

• Wedding Tradition: Couples did not see each other the night before the big day

• Current Trend: Couples carry on as normal

• More Practical - It's always been tradition for the groom not to see the bride the night before the wedding. But that was before the tradition of living in separate houses before marriage broke down. Nowadays, a large proportion of couples live together before getting married. This makes it more difficult to avoid each other in the run up to the big day. Ditching this tradition before getting hitched is the simplest and most practical solution. Not only will you avoid the hassle of having to find alternative accommodation for the night, you'll also save yourself having to pack and bring all your bridal belongings with you.

• No runaway Fiancés - While trust should work alone, having him in the same house the eve of the big day can reassure you that he's going to turn up. It is widely acknowledged that, unlike women, men do not spend their whole lives dreaming of their wedding day. Uncertain when it comes to the crunch, runaway grooms are not unheard of. Spending the last night away from you, his rock, can increase his anxiety and lead him to make rash decisions. Not only will staying close by curb his commitment-shy tendencies, it will also go some way to calming your own wedding jitters.

• Not Much Fun - While it may calm your nerves, it can also take the fun and excitement out of the whole thing. The night before the wedding has traditionally been all about saying goodbye to your old life and getting excited about your new one. Seeing each other the night before the big day can take the magic out of it and leave you feeling like it's just another day, instead of the most important day of your life. And it's not just the wedding that might suffer but the honeymoon as well. Yes, the honeymoon's traditional purpose has long gone but the same should not be said of the excitement, which may be the case if you've already got it on the night before...

• Bad Luck - If you're in any way superstitious, which most brides are on their wedding day, banishing this tradition may not be for you. It is widely believed that it is bad luck for the groom to see the bride the night before the wedding. You will be nervous enough as it is without going against ancient advice. While it may be just a myth, you never know – more importantly, do you really want to find out?