Father of the bride speeches, first dances, and all the other outdated wedding traditions we should get rid of

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry
Modern marriage: Meghan and Harry plan to do things a bit differently Credit: WPA Pool/Getty Images Europe

Oh, Meghan Markle, how do we love thee? Let us count the ways: actor, philanthropist, UN gender equality advocate, yoga bunny, divorcee, erstwhile lifestyle blogger, and giver of really great hair.

Then, as proof that MM is one of us, comes news that she is to deliver a speech at her forthcoming nuptials; and not only that - she will drop the tradition of the father of the bride giving his thoughts, at one fell swoop eliminating The Official Worst Bit of Every Wedding.

As a female who has not once but twice held court as best man - once in full chap drag - I can only applaud such a policy. For there is something uncannily awful about an adult woman with attributes such as a job, life and personality sitting in sepulchral silence while three men make sex jokes on what is alleged to be "her" day.

'There is something uncannily awful about an adult woman with attributes such as a job, life and personality sitting in sepulchral silence while three men make sex jokes on what is alleged to be "her" day' Credit: Jamie Grill Photography

Read the room, boys: that stuff is lamentably pre-Weinstein. And why stop there? The catalogue of...

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