Whether you are from a culture or just would like the knowledge for inspiration here is a brief guideline of some culture themed wedding traditions: |
FRANCE |
| |
FRANCE
Silver Cup of Marriage. |
| |
INDIA
Candles are lit for the couple. |
| |
IRELAND
Lucky horseshoe symbol. |
| |
ITALY
The bridal veil originated in Italy. |
|
Have a beautiful custom with strong family ties called “The Cup of Marriage” from which the happy couple share a drink to represent their union. The cup is sometimes a family heirloom which evokes a sense of lineage. A good touch would be to start your own silver cup family legacy which future generations can enjoy. The grooms mother is walked down the aisle first as a form of thank-you and respect before he proceeds to the alter to take his vows.
Caribbean touch: If starting your own family “Cup” tradition, engrave your silver cup with the date and place of your wedding so that future generations will be aware that you had a destination wedding
|
|
GERMANY |
Wedding culture can be fun and encourages the couple to start their new life as a team. They usually have two ceremonies a civil and the religious. Their friends are very much involved in the proceedings and test them with tasks, between ceremonies to prepare them for the challenges of life as a couple.
|
|
GREECE |
This culture considers the bride and groom to be royalty on their day. They are crowned, traditionally by the godfather or best man with crowns of orange blossom or accents of gold. The three parts of the holy trinity are represented when the couple takes three sips of wine from a glass. The tradition of pinning money at the reception and dancing on the "money floor" is also practiced.
Caribbean touch: Use fragrant tropical blooms and dried leaves and foliage, sprayed gold to create an amazing crown.
|
|
HOLLAND |
The Dutch
have an extremely charming custom which would work as an enchanting addition to any wedding. Called “The Wish Tree”, a luscious branch, usually an evergreen is placed next to the head table. Guests write their thoughts and good wishes on paper leaves which are provided at their tables which the couple read and then hang on the tree with the provided ribbon. To solidify this symbol, a tree is planted (usually Lily of the valley, but you can make your own choice) outside their new dwelling to represent fruitfulness and renew their love every time it blooms.
Caribbean touch: Use Palm branches or from a local tree. Most local trees retain their beauty for a long time once properly prepared. |
|
INDIA |
Famous for many centuries, Indian weddings are lush affairs. Every detail is considered of importance from the painting of the brides hands and feet with henna (Mehndi) to the sprinkling of flowers (usually by the brides closest male relative) to symbolize protection.
Included in the ceremony is the lighting of candles for the couple. Garlands are used in Indian weddings instead of corsages and the bride traditionally wears red and literally "ties the knot" with a red scarf.
Caribbean touch: Tropical flowers make great garlands. |
|
IRELAND |
Steeped in traditional folklore the Irish have a strong symbolic culture. They have a custom wedding ring (Claddagh) consisting of two hands which hold a crowned heart. The heart symbolizes love, the hands faith and the crown honour. The horse shoe also plays a strong role being presented to the couple during their ceremony for adornment in their new residence and also tied to the bride’s bouquet as she walks up the aisle. If using the horseshoe hang it with the ends upwards to keep the good luck. Other symbols are the love knot and four leaf clover. |
|
ITALY |
A fascinating
fact of Italian culture is that many of the western traditions we have come to know and love originated in Italy. The brides veil, the giving of sugar almonds and the tossing of the bouquets to name a few. The small gift bag traditionally was meant to represent the two flavours of marriage and is given to guests as bonbonniere. |
|
JAPAN |
Strong in
symbolic representation the Japanese have a ritual known as “San-San-Kudo”, translated to three by three equals nine. This custom centres on “Saki’, a traditional Japanese rice wine, where the couple each takes three sips from each of three separate cups, one small, one medium and one large. The first three sips symbolize the bride and groom and the couples represented by their respective parents numbering three couples. The second three sips symbolise Passion, Hatred and Ignorance. The last three represent the adding together of the lucky odd numbers and rescue from the three previous flaws.
Caribbean touch: Enjoy your own three cup ceremony with a traditional Barbadian drink Mauby, Rum Punch, Sorrel (which is especially popular at Christmas) etc. |
|
