While we know many of the wedding traditions in our English-speaking heritage, there is a wide variety of traditions from other cultures that could add meaning and sparkle to your wedding celebration, especially if there is a logical link to yours or your fiance’s ancestors.
Wedding Traditions from Africa
Some African tribes still perform the ancient rite of tying the bride’s and groom’s wrists together with plaited grass. To reflect this heritage, hold hands as you walk back up the aisle as man and wife.
Wedding Traditions from China
The color of love and joy in China is red, and it is a favorite choice for the bride’s gown, candles, gift boxes, and money envelopes. If red is not your accent color theme for the wedding, find ways to add touches of red to unexpected areas. It’s a color for luck!
Wedding Traditions from Finland
Finish brides once wore golden crowns. After the wedding, the unmarried women danced around the blindfolded bride. It was thought that whoever she crowned would marry next. If you have other plans for your bridal bouquet, consider this ritual and wear a crown of flowers with your veil at the reception.
Wedding Traditions from India
Before the end of the ceremony, the groom’s brother sprinkles flower petals on the couple to ward off evil spirits. After your ceremony have a special family member or friend hand a single flower to every guest as they leave the ceremony site.
Wedding Traditions from Ireland
Be true to your ancestral customs and have a traditional Irish wedding cake. It is not the white cake we know as a wedding cake, but a heavy, rich fruitcake loaded with raisins, almonds, cherries, and spices. Some couples select this for the groom’s cake today and serve both kinds of cake to their guests. If you wish, the cake can be laced with brandy or served with liquor-flavored toppings.
Wedding Traditions from Italy
For centuries, guests at Italian weddings tossed confetti at the bridal couple. However, it was not the pieces of colored paper that we use today. It was sugared almonds. Today’s version of the custom has become a couple’s gift to their guests. Popular favors are small decorated boxes or bags filled with sugar-coated almonds that guests take home with them.
For more ideas and tips, call us at 508-679-8770, or email us at fatima@alexandrasbride.com today.
