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There
are some who would say that wedding receptions have become highly commercialized affairs, more focused
on the details of the reception than the purpose of the event, which
is to witness and celebrate the coming together of two people in
matrimony. It is true that over the years the planning and execution
of weddings has spawned an entire industry of vendors from clothing
designers, to caterers, to musicians, to photographers, videographers,
florists, and professional planners. Not to mention the countless
books and magazines, as well as seminars, and bridal shows that
specifically target brides-to-be, and cover all aspects of the planning
process to help create the perfect wedding. But what is the perfect
wedding? There are plenty of wedding
planning kits out there complete with a checklist to help guide
couples through the process. Though thoughtful, one can't help but
feel that the checklist might hinder the imagination, and lead the
bride to believe that the elements on the list, and only those elements
are what make the perfect wedding. The point is, there is a formula
that is widely used, and if you've attended a few weddings, you
should be familiar with the routine. Though convenient, weddings
executed in this fashion meet the danger of becoming forgettable.
In a nation as rich in diversity as the United States,
it is not uncommon for couples to come from colorful ethnic backgrounds.
Many brides and grooms would love to marry in the tradition of their
native ancestors, but being products of American culture as well,
want to have the white wedding they've always envisioned. There
is an abundance of solutions to satisfy all of these desires. Bringing
wedding traditions and customs to a wedding is not only a fantastic way to share something
personal with the guests, but a sincere tribute to the families
who have come together. Try incorporating wedding decorations, wedding supplies and finishing touches that celebrate your culture. This can be as simple as
having an ethnic menu instead of "beef or chicken", or
serving sangria or sake for toasting instead of champagne, or yet,
including polka, or bhangra in the musical repertoire. The smallest
out of the ordinary gesture can set the mood for an entire once
in a lifetime event.
Needless to say, the stars of the wedding are the
bride and groom. Isn't it only natural to showcase their lives,
and spotlight their love? The most poignant weddings will touch
the hearts of those in attendance and make even the most distant
relative and that friend of a friend of a friend feel as if they've
known you all their lives. The wedding doesn't have to be small
and exclusive to be intimate and personal. Even the smallest attention
to detail and thinking outside the package can make an otherwise
cookie-cutter wedding into a distinct affair that reflects the couple's
nature, and ensures that their special day makes an indelible impression
on all.
 
wedding traditions by country
African Wedding Traditions:
You may have heard of "jumping the broom".
It is a tradition whose origin is debated, but whose significance
is agreed upon to be a symbol for the start of the couple making
a home together. Cowrie shells can be used to accent table decorations.
The shells represent purity and beauty.
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Armenian Wedding Traditions:
A saying that is regarded as a cultural tradition,
"may you grow old on one pillow", can be woven into a
theme for the wedding. Print the phrase on invitations, or engrave
on a silver keepsake as a guest favor.
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Chinese Wedding Traditions:
Perform a traditional tea ceremony where the
bride serves tea to her parents, and her new in-laws as a symbol
of respect. To update the tradition, the groom can serve tea with
his new bride. The color red represents celebration and prosperity,
and the Chinese character "xi" or double happiness bestows
the wish of a happy life for the couple. Chinese weddings are festive
celebrations in the full capacity of the word. The bride and groom
are required by etiquette to make the rounds and toast each table
individually to the loud cheers of the group visited. Sometimes
members of the wedding party can be called upon to drink in place
of the bride and groom in the event either party cannot hold his
or her liquor.
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Czech
Republican Wedding Traditions: Traditionally the bridesmaids
make a wreath of rosemary for the bride to wear. An updated version
can be made with roses and baby's breath.
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Dutch Wedding Traditions:
A wonderful custom is to create a wedding "wish
tree". At the reception a beautiful tree branch is placed next
to the bride and groom's table, and paper leaves attached to pieces
of colorful ribbon are placed at each guest's place setting. Guests
write their special wish for the happy couple on their leaves, which
the bride and groom can then read and hang on the tree.
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French Wedding Traditions: The groom customarily walks his mother down the aisle before arriving
at the alter to be married. This is a lovely gesture that can be
easily adopted and will surely elicit a collective "aww"
from the audience.
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German Wedding Traditions: Breaking dishes, pots, or anything that will break into pieces and
then cleaning it up together is said to bring good luck to the bride
and groom just before the wedding. In fact another version of the
popular custom is for friends to bring over all matter of junk they
can gather for the couple to clean up. The idea is to prepare the
bride and groom for facing life's trials together. It's a somewhat
harsh custom, but one that is rich with meaning nonetheless.
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Greek Wedding Traditions: In the Greek tradition, the bride and groom are honored as queen
and king for the day, and so are bestowed, usually by the best man,
crowns of gold, or orange blossoms.
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Indian Wedding Traditions: Indian weddings are traditionally multi-day affairs, and involve
many intricate ceremonies, such as the painting of the hands and
feet of the bride called a mehndi. Garlands are presented to guests
of honor instead of corsages, and lots and lots of flower petals
are thrown for good luck. It is tradition for the closest male relative
to sprinkle flower or rose petals on the married couple to fend off evil
spirits.
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Irish Wedding Traditions : The traditional wedding ring is called a claddagh, and depicts two
hands holding a heart bearing a crown. The hands represent faith,
the heart love, and the crown honor. Another accessory for the bride
is a lucky horseshoe. Tie one with ribbon around her bouquet for
that walk down the aisle. But make sure to hang it with the points
up, it is said to catch and hold all the good luck. A popular Celtic
design is the love knot. It is a pattern created by using continuous,
unending lines that intertwine. The design represents eternity,
unity, and fidelity. A lucky four leaf clover can symbolize, “One
leaf for Hope, the second for Faith, the third for Love, and the
fourth for Luck!” Include mini pots of shamrock for décor
(don’t last long after they’re cut). The national symbol
of Ireland is the heraldic harp since ancient Ireland honored the
harpist above all other musicians, and it was they who played for
the highest officials. Another tradition in Ireland is, instead
of clinking glasses to get the couple to kiss, a guest would stand
up and sing a song, or recite a poem with the word “love”
in it.
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Italian Wedding Traditions: One of the oldest traditions is the giving of candy-coated Jordan almonds.
Meant to represent the bittersweet nature of marriage, these treats
are given to guests wrapped in tulle, or pretty pouches, and in
quantities of 5, which is a lucky number.
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Japanese Wedding Traditions: The Japanese ritual of "san-san-ku", or three by three
exchange is rich with meaning. It is performed by the bride and
groom; each takes 3 sips of sake from each of 3 cups. The first
3 represent three couples, the bride and groom, and their parents.
The second 3 represent three human flaws: hatred, passion, and ignorance.
"Ku", or 9 is a lucky number in Japanese culture. And
"do" means deliverance from the three flaws.
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Korean Wedding Traditions: Ducks and geese are animals known to mate for life. In Korean culture
this makes them the perfect symbols of fidelity and are incorporated
into weddings.
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Mexican/Philippino/Spanish Wedding Traditions: In Latin culture the groom gives his bride a gift of 13 coins, or
arras, representing Jesus and his 13 apostles. These are blessed
by the priest and bear the groom's promise to care for and support
his wife. For the reception, a festive mariachi band would bring
an abundance of fun to the party.
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Scottish Wedding Traditions: The unmistakable sound of bagpipes will surely evoke the pride of
Scotland. Incorporate them into the procession. Traditionally, the
groom adorns his bride with a sash in the colors of his clan to
welcome her to his family.
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Swedish Wedding Traditions: An old, and adorable Swedish custom is for the bride to carry coins
in her shoes. One silver coin in her left show from her father,
and one gold coin in her right from her mother to ensure that she
will never go without.
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Vietnamese Wedding Traditions: It is customary for the mother-in-law to bestow upon the bride pink
chalk, which symbolizes a rosy future for the couple.
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