1

Not seeing each other before the wedding

Image: Katy Duclos

Not seeing each other before the wedding was once considered essential. This superstition comes from the era of arranged marriages, when it was feared the couple might back out if they met beforehand. It evolved into the romantic "first look" at the altar. Many couples now skip it in favor of private pre-ceremony photos. Understandable!

2

Marrying in white

Image: Javier González Fotógrafo

Popularized by Queen Victoria in 1840, the white gown symbolized purity and wealth. U.S. brides embraced the trend for over a century, but modern weddings increasingly feature colorful gowns or non-traditional attire. Some pick their favorite color! Why not?

3

Wearing a veil

Image: Honey Yanibel Minaya Cruz

Once meant to protect brides from evil spirits or hide them from jealous eyes, the veil became a symbol of modesty. In the U.S., it persisted more as a fashion choice. Today, many brides favor hairpieces, flowers, or nothing at all.

4

Roast speeches

Image: Mads Eneqvist

Roast-style speeches became popular as toasts with a humorous edge, sometimes poking fun at the couple, especially at casual receptions. While funny for some, they’ve also led to plenty of awkward moments. Have you ever seen a video online of particularly harsh ones? As a result, many weddings now stick to heartfelt speeches to avoid offense.

5

Throwing a bouquet

Image: Michal Mikulec

This playful tradition gave single women a "good luck" charm for marriage. It replaced older customs where guests tore pieces from the bride’s dress for luck. Many couples now swap it for alternative games or skip it entirely.

6

Receiving queues

Image: Shardayyy Photography

For decades, couples stood in a formal line after the ceremony to greet each guest in turn. It was a way to ensure everyone felt acknowledged. But some prefer not to miss that informal mingling during the reception! Instead, they spend time with their loved ones more casually, enjoying the natural flow of the party.

7

Matching bridesmaids’ dresses

Image: Joeyy Lee

Tradition once had bridesmaids dressed alike in the same color, cut, and fabric to create a uniform look. Today’s weddings often mix styles, shades, and even prints. The change allows friends to choose something flattering—and something they can actually wear again.

8

Full sit-down dinners

Image: Hồng Xuân Văn

The classic multi-course plated meal was once a wedding reception staple. Today, many couples opt for food trucks, buffet tables, or hearty hors d’oeuvres for a more social, less formal vibe. And, let’s face it, it also helps with costs and keeps the timeline flexible.

9

Saving the top tier of the cake

Image: Raquel Ming

Couples once froze the top tier of their wedding cake to eat on their first anniversary, as a symbol of enduring love. But after a year in the freezer, the result was often stale and unappetizing. These days, many order a fresh mini cake instead.

10

Rice throwing

Image: Emma Miller

Showering the couple with rice at the exit was a long-held sign of prosperity and fertility. Concerns over mess, safety, and wildlife led to alternatives like bubbles, sparklers, or flower petals. The celebration remains, just with less sweeping.

11

Dollar dance

Image: Tiko Giorgadze

In this tradition, guests paid for a short dance with the bride or groom, contributing to the couple’s honeymoon fund. It was playful and personal, but could feel awkward or even outdated. Many couples now skip it in favor of more inclusive group dances.

12

Matching family seating sides

Image: Thomas Beaman

Traditionally, guests sat on the side of the family they knew best—the bride’s family on the left, the groom’s on the right. Today, signs inviting guests to "sit anywhere" reflect a blending of families and a more casual approach. Alternatively, tables may be intentionally assigned to mix new people together.

13

Garter tosses

Image: Jeanie de Klerk

Once a bawdy medieval custom where guests scrambled for proof of consummation, it became a lighthearted party moment in American weddings. The groom removes and tosses the bride’s garter to single men. Today, it’s often skipped because it can feel outdated or awkward.

1

Lincoln (Daniel Day-Lewis)

Image: Maarten Brakkee

Legendary method actor Daniel Day-Lewis definitively had big shoes to fill when he portrayed our 16th President. And we mean that quite literally: Historians believe that Lincoln had the largest feet of any U.S. President in history. In any case, Day-Lewis stood up to the task and his acting prowess earned him both an Academy Award and a Golden Globe for Best Actor.

Directed by Steven Spielberg, Lincoln focuses on the year 1885 and President Lincoln’s struggles to abolish slavery. Famously, Day-Lewis requested everyone on the filming set to only refer to him as "Mr. President" or "Mr. Lincoln", in order to immerse himself in the role.

2

Jackie Kennedy (Natalie Portman)

Image: Cornelia Ng

Pablo Larrain’s 2016 film Jackie depicts the life of former First Lady Jaqueline Kennedy, both during her time at the White House and after the assassination of President Kennedy. Natalie Portman does an outstanding job in her role as Jackie, portraying her characteristic charm and quiet strength.

The film was nominated for three Academy Awards, including Best Actress for Portman. Although she ultimately lost the Oscar to Emma Stone’s character in La La Land , movie critics acclaimed Natalie’s performance.

3

Johnny Cash (Joaquin Phoenix)

Image: Dominik Scythe

Few musicians have the mysterious and fabled aura as " The Man in Black ", but American actor Joaquin Phoenix was able to faithfully portray Johnny Cash’s gritty character in the 2005 biopic Walk the Line . Directed by James Mangold, this film focuses on Cash’s rise to fame and turbulent career, as well as his relationship with singer June Carter, wonderfully played by Reese Witherspoon.

Phoenix and Witherspoon’s acting was universally praised by film critics, and they both received Best Actor and Actress nominations at the Oscars. While only Witherspoon won the Academy Award, this film remains an impressive highlight in Joaquin Phoenix’s career.

4

John Nash (Russell Crowe)

Image: Roman Mager

Ron Howard’s 2001 film A Beautiful Mind depicts the life of American mathematician and Nobel Laureate John Nash. Russell Crowe does a wonderful job portraying this brilliant American’s life, representing both his brilliance as well as his struggles with mental health.

While the film was based on a 1998 biography by Sylvia Nasar, Howard’s spin on Nash’s life results in a daunting yet inspiring movie. A Beautiful Mind received several nominations at the Academy Awards, winning four Oscars that included "Best Picture" and "Best Director".

5

Mark Zuckerberg (Jessee Eisenberg)

Image: Deeksha Pahariya

David Fincher’s 2010 movie The Social Network took on the formidable task of depicting the rise of the world’s largest social media company as well as the legal battles between two former best friends. Actor Jesse Eisenberg amazingly plays two sides of Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, both as a 19-year-old college student and as the CEO of one of the biggest companies in the world.

While many critiqued the movie’s lack of historical accuracy, Eisenberg’s portrayal was almost universally praised, earning the then-young actor his first nomination for an Academy Award.

6

Truman Capote (Phillip Seymour Hoffman)

Image: CHUTTERSNAP

Truman Capote is revered as one of the greatest authors in American history: His groundbreaking book In Cold Blood is credited as starting the genre of non-fiction literature. The 2005 film Capote is a deep-dive into this author’s investigation into the murders that inspired this iconic book, as well as his interviews with Perry Smith, one of the criminals.

Phillip Seymour Hoffman’s inspiring portrayal of Capote is considered one of the peak performances of this amazing actor’s outstanding career. Hoffman earned a well-deserved Oscar for Best Actor, while the film was nominated in four other categories.

7

Howard Hughes (Leonardo Di Caprio)

Image: Rafael Garcin

Martin Scorsese is certainly a Hollywood legend: Few movie directors have such an incredible filmmaking record as he does. We could have chosen from many iconic Scorsese biopics (including Robert De Niro’s astounding performance in Raging Bull ), but we ultimately chose his depiction of American business magnate and pilot, Howard Hughes .

In that regard, Leonardo Di Caprio’s impressive range allowed him to portray the life of this American legend, faithfully representing both his business acumen as well as his fight against obsessive-compulsive disorder.

8

Muhammad Ali (Will Smith)

Image: Johann Walter Bantz

You might be surprised to learn that the 2001 film Ali , which depicts the life of the most famous American boxer in history, was a huge box office failure. However, this film was beloved by movie critics, particularly due to Will Smith’s outstanding performance as Muhammad Ali.

The film focuses on most turning points in Ali’s remarkable career, from his first heavyweight title win to his iconic "Rumble in the Jungle" fight against George Foreman. Will Smith was nominated for Best Actor at the 2001 Academy Awards, while Jon Voight’s portrayal of a journalist received a Best Supporting Actor nomination.

9

Charlie Chaplin (Robert Downey Jr.)

Image: Olesia Libra

Now, we know what you are thinking: Why is British legendary actor Charlie Chaplin in this list of American biopics? While it is true that Chaplin was not born in the United States, he was instrumental in building the American film industry, and his films are still revered as icons of our country’s culture. In that regard, Robert Downey Jr’s performance in the 1992 film Chaplin serves as a magnificent tribute to this Hollywood legend.

Directed by Richard Attenborough, this film also stars Chaplin’s daughter , Geraldine Chaplin, who portrays the actor’s mother. While Chaplin wasn’t a huge blockbuster, Downey Jr’s portrayal of the silent actor was particularly well-received.

10

Ray Charles (Jamie Fox)

Image: Andrik Langfield

We’ll end this article with one of America’s most iconic voices. American actor Jamie Foxx got in the skin of iconic musician Ray Charles in the 2004 film Ray . Directed by Taylor Hackford, this film focuses on Charles’ troubled youth and rise to fame, as well as his tragic sight loss.

Foxx’s amazing portrayal of the insanely talented Ray fooled audiences everywhere: Many to this day believe that the actor was actually singing in the film. Foxx was able to convincingly adopt Charles’ mannerisms and habits, which earned him his first Academy Award for Best Actor.

1

Casinos

Image: Kvnga

A casino might not be the first place one has in mind when thinking about going out to eat, but these establishments usually have a variety of dining options, from buffet-style areas to casual eateries and upscale, more traditional restaurants, with good prices and good food, to attract gamblers .

2

Hotels

Image: Francesca Saraco

Unlike a regular restaurant, where clients come and go, hotel kitchen staff is used to serving the same guests more than once in short periods of time . This motivates them to enforce a higher standard of service since their clients will return soon and are more likely to hold them accountable for any previous issues.

3

Delicatessens

Image: Simona Sergi

Other than being a place where you buy ingredients, a delicatessen store, known as a deli, is also known for its sandwiches and often offers other meal options like soups and salads .

4

Sporting venues

Image: Mick Haupt

Eating a hot dog or a hamburger with a beer on a sunny day, while sitting on the benches during a baseball game, is an experience that everyone should attempt at least once in their lives.

5

Department stores

Image: mostafa meraji

Department stores are convenient. These places offer many different services, grouped together, in a controlled environment, including meals. In their food courts, you can choose your menu from a variety of stands, take your tray to your selected table, and eat undisturbed .

6

Colleges and universities

Image: Michael Marsh

College and university campuses usually have dining halls or food courts that are open to students, faculty, and staff. But some are also open to the general public. Their meals tend to be healthy and balanced , prepared by catering companies that work with nutritionists.

7

Bowling alleys

Image: Persnickety Prints

Many bowling alleys have snack bars or restaurants where you can get food and drinks to enjoy while you bowl . Or you can enjoy it without bowling, as well.

8

Train stations

Image: Michał Parzuchowski

Train stations often have a selection of restaurants and cafes for travelers where you can watch the passengers and dream of going places while you enjoy a snack .

9

Bookstores

Image: Pauline Loroy

Many bookstores, especially larger chains or independent ones, now include cafes. These offer a relaxing and quiet environment to enjoy a coffee and a light meal or snack while browsing a book.

10

Hospitals

Image: National Cancer Institute

Hospitals are places where people spend long periods, maybe waiting for somebody else, and have areas where they can grab a bite in a usually quiet place. And, since the food is usually prepared in the hospital kitchens, hygiene and health tend to be especially respected .

11

Hardware stores

Image: Oxana Melis

Believe it or not, some larger hardware stores, particularly those in rural areas, have a small cafe or deli counter serving basic meals . It's often a local gathering spot for the community.

12

Cooking schools

Image: Odiseo Castrejon

Some cooking schools offer demonstration classes that include a meal, or they might have a small cafe open to the public, where students offer their creations .