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Wedding Planning 101: Wedding Traditions
When planning your wedding, a tradition is always a major
part of the day. Whether you have had one in your family for ages or you are
starting one for your children/grandchildren/great grandchildren to use, a tradition
is meaningful and could be a huge part of your day. Here are some wedding
traditions from around the world.
Italy
The “Date”: Usually early Sunday morning. Saturdays were reserved for widows getting hitched to husband number two {or three, or four..} :)
The Brides’ Attire: The blushing bride would be wearing
pure white. Along with a veil that hid the brides face. For when the rising of
the veil, instead it would be torn by the groom for good luck.
Special Activities: The Italian bride and groom would walk on foot to the chapel. After the ceremony, the smashing of the vase would take place (doing their best to shatter the vase, since the numbers of broken pieces are to be represented on how many years they would be happily married).
Special Activities: The Italian bride and groom would walk on foot to the chapel. After the ceremony, the smashing of the vase would take place (doing their best to shatter the vase, since the numbers of broken pieces are to be represented on how many years they would be happily married).
The food: Even many years ago, food at an
Italian wedding is a huge and important deal. Course after course of antipasti,
calamari, pasta, fish, pork and more were accompanied by a liqueur or wine.
Added Perks: $$$$$ {and that’s supposed to mean a lot}. Guests would place cold, hard cash in a satin bag called la borsa carried by the bride.
Added Perks: $$$$$ {and that’s supposed to mean a lot}. Guests would place cold, hard cash in a satin bag called la borsa carried by the bride.
Japan
The “Date”: Usually spring or fall {Due to the Climate}
The “Date”: Usually spring or fall {Due to the Climate}
The Brides’ Attire:
The
Japanese bride-to-be is painted pure white from head to toe, which is a white
kimono and an elaborate headpiece covered with many ornaments to invite good
luck to the happy couple. A white hood is attached to the kimono, which the
bride wears like a veil to hide her 'horns of jealousy' from the groom's
mother, who will now become the head of the family.
Special Activities: As the couple exchanges their wedding vows, the families face each other instead of facing the couple. After the couple is done with their vows, the newlyweds and families all drink 9 cups of sake {this is a sign that the family in now united as one}.
Added Perks: The Reception is a huge part of the day. The bride
can now change out of her all white gown into a fiery red kimono and then again
into a western-style gown. The wedding party and guests are highly encourage to
engage in karaoke, games and skits at the reception. Money freely given to the
newlyweds, is also highly encouraged {show me the $$}.
Mexico
The “Date”: A summer evening {aka in paradise}
The “Date”: A summer evening {aka in paradise}
The Bride’s Attire: The bride's attire would vary
greatly depending on the region, from simple white cotton to a colorfully
embroidered huipil. Spanish-inspired mantilla veils were common as well. She
might also wear a blue slip or sew three ribbons (one yellow, one blue and one
red) into her undergarments to symbolize food, money and passion in the years
to come. The groom would usually wear a lightly colored guayabera, a
loose-fitting shirt perfectly suited for the Mexican sun.
Special Activities: During the ceremony, the groom
would give his bride 13 gold coins, called arras, which
symbolized Christ and his apostles. Following the vows, the priest would wrap a
lazo/lasso {a large rosary}, in a figure eight around the couple's necks to
represent their eternal unity.
The Food: Spicy rice, beans and tortillas. The traditional Mexican wedding cake is made with nuts and dried fruit and soaked in rum {yummy}
The Food: Spicy rice, beans and tortillas. The traditional Mexican wedding cake is made with nuts and dried fruit and soaked in rum {yummy}
The Music: A mariachi band would provide the day's
music. La Marcha -- a dance similar in appearance to an elaborate game of
Follow the Leader – would serve as the couple's reception entrance. Two lines,
each led by a family elder, would weave around the room, eventually meeting to
form a bridge with their arms before breaking apart to form a circle around the
bride and groom for their first dance.
Added Perk: Bridal attendants called madrinas
{godmothers – a high role in Hispanic culture} helped the bride by making the
plans, arranging bouquets and keeping a general handle on the day's events.
As you can see traditions have played, and are still playing, a huge part in
weddings. Since these traditions are centuries old, of course they have been
tweaked and twisted to be more “up to date” and “in-style” {leaning towards the
style of the dress & reception} with today’s outlook.
Credits:
Section One: Photo & Info
Section Two: Photo & Info
Section Three: Photo & Info
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