Argentina

Wedding Traditions in Argentina

 

Bridesmaids, a maid of honor, or a best man have never been part of a traditional wedding in Argentina. The mother of the groom, and the father of the bride escort the couple getting married down the church aisle, and then stand beside them through the wedding ceremony.

It is an Argentinean wedding tradition for the couple to exchange their wedding rings at the engagement, and not during the marriage vows.

Wedding Traditions in Armenia

 

An Armenian bride may wear a red silk wedding gown on her wedding day. Her headpiece is usually made of cardboard, shaped into wings and covered with feathers.

After the wedding ceremony, the bride and groom enter the reception site under an arch formed by the bridesmaids and groomsmen, who line up with each other and hold their flowers aloft. A pair of doves are released, symbolizing love and happiness. Wedding guests throw coins at the bride during the wedding reception.

Wedding Traditions in Australia

 

Australia Wedding fashions have changed over the years, but the white wedding dress is still traditionally worn by brides in Australia, reflecting a custom which dates back many centuries. A bible is often given as a wedding gift, which is kept as a precious souvenir for future generations.

The traditions which are known and loved in the western world are all present here - the wedding cake, the exchange of rings and the reception with friends and family. Australian weddings will often bring together extended family members, and a couple's marriage will provide a wonderful opportunity for everyone to celebrate the start of their new life together.
 

Wedding Traditions in Belgium

A traditional Belgian bride carries a special handkerchief, as part of her wedding outfit, on the day of her marriage. She might embroider her name on it, carry it with her on her day of matrimony, and then pass it down to one of her sisters as a family heirloom.

Wedding Traditions in Bermuda

 

Wedding cakes of islanders are topped with a tiny sapling. After the wedding reception, the newlyweds plant the young tree at their home, where they watch it grow, as their marriage grows.

Wedding Traditions in Chile
 

A traditional Chilean wedding custom calls for the couple getting married to exchange wedding rings when the engagement proposal takes place. Until the wedding vows at their marriage ceremony, the couple will wear their wedding bands on their right hands. Once they have become man and wife the rings are switched to their left hands.

Wedding Traditions in Cyprus

 

Money is pinned to the bride and groom throughout their first dance at most wedding receptions in Cyprus. The 'pin money' is used by the couple to help get them started in their new life together.

Wedding Traditions in Egypt

As in the past, many weddings in Egypt are still arranged, and the tradition of the groom's family proposing to the bride is often practiced.

Just before the marriage vows begin there is a musical wedding march called the Zaffa. There is traditional Egyptian music, belly dancers, drums horns and performers with flaming swords.

Traditionally, Egyptians believed that the ring finger has the "vein amoris", the vein of love, which runs straight to the heart.

Wedding Traditions in Estonia

 

At most wedding receptions throughout the word, there is usually a traditional wedding custom to determine the next bride.

In Estonia, instead, there is an wedding custom to predict the next groom, as well.

After the newlywed bride tosses her wedding bouquet to the single women, the groom is surrounded and blindfolded by the single men. They spin him around and then the groom puts his top hat on the bachelor next to marry.

Wedding Traditions in Fiji

 

In Fiji, it is customary for a groom to present a valuable gift to his bride's father. Traditionally, this present should be a whale's tooth, symbolizing status and wealth.

Wedding Traditions in Hawaii

At Hawaiian weddings, flower garlands known as leis are traditionally placed around the necks of the bride and groom. Leis symbolize love and respect, and they are created from some of the island's most beautiful and fragrant flowers. Each lei is made up of some 40 or 50 fresh flowers, and tied with a colorful ribbon. These flower garlands are very symbolic of Hawaiian culture and an integral part of every celebration on the island.

The 'Hawaiian Wedding Song', which was of course sung by Elvis in the movie Blue Hawaii is almost always a part of the wedding service. The couple's names in the Hawaiian language may be engraved onto their wedding rings. Both the bride and groom will dress in white, and the groom will have a red sash tied around his waist.

Wedding Traditions in Holland


 

  Dutch Bridal Showers

The roots of the customary bridal shower originated in Holland. If a Dutch bride was unfortunate enough enough to have her father not approve of her choice in husbands, he would not offer a dowry. Her friends would then "shower"her with gifts so she could still be married to her groom., without the help of her father.

  Weddings in Holland

The families of the Dutch bride and groom host a party before the day of the wedding vows. Traditionally, the couple sit on a throne, beneath the pines, as their guests come to bless them and wish them happiness.

Dutch wedding receptions are famous for serving heavy foods. Two traditional items served at a marriage celebration in Holland are sweetmeats called, "bridal sugar" and spiced wine known as "bride's tears."

After a Dutch wedding, newlyweds in Holland might plant lilies-of-the-valley around their house. This tradition symbolizes "the return of happiness" and the couple can then celebrate and renew their love with each blooming season.

Hungarian Wedding Traditions

 

Along with the exchanging of wedding rings, it is customary for a Hungarian bride to give her groom a wedding present of handkerchiefs, usually three or seven, which are believed to be lucky numbers. In return, the Hungarian groom gives his bride a bag of coins.

During a Hungarian wedding reception all of the male guests may dance with the bride. If they give her coins, she will give them a kiss in return.

Filipino Weddings

The Philippines is a country rich in traditions that were originally introduced by Spanish missionaries. A few of these Spanish-influenced customs are ever-present in a typical Filipino wedding.

   Usually, the bride wears the traditional all-white wedding gown and the groom is handsomely clad in the traditional barong. The barong is a transparent button-up shirt that is usually worn by the Filipino man during special gatherings. At a traditional Filipino wedding, many sponsors are present to witness the union of the couple. The sponsors symbolize guidance and support - a group of individuals that the couple can refer to in time of need.

   While some of the sponsors have a "silent" participation during the wedding ceremony, two sets of sponsors play active roles. The first set of sponsors play the role of veil sponsors. The veil sponsors usually consist of one man and one woman - perhaps one from each side of the family. During a specific point in the ceremony, the veil sponsors carefully pin a large veil on top of the bride's head and onto the shoulder of the groom. The veil symbolizes unity and that the couple shall be "clothed as one." The other set of sponsors are called the cord sponsors. After the veil is placed on both the bride and groom, the cord sponsors place a white cord loosely around the necks of the couple in a "figure eight" configuration. The cord symbolizes the lifelong bond or tie between the bride and groom.

   On either side of the unity candle is a long stemmed candle. Both sets of parents light their respective candle. When it comes time for the wedding couple to light the unity candle, the couple will light it with the candles that were lit by both sets of parents. This symbolizes the union of these two families through the love and lifelong bond of their children. Another strongly-held tradition is the arras which translated into Spanish means "earnest money." The priest drops coins onto the hands of both the bride and groom symbolizing a life of fidelity and wealth.

   The veil, cord, candle and arras are four traditions routinely witnessed during a Filipino wedding. Filipinos feel strongly about their heritage and actively incorporate their traditions into their weddings.

Finnish Wedding Traditions

In Finland, a traditional bride-to-be walks door-to-door with a pillowcase, to receive her wedding presents. An older, married man walks with her, holding an umbrella or parasol to cover her. This pre-wedding tradition a symbol of protection and shelter for the new bride.

On her wedding day, a Finnish bride might wear a traditional golden crown with her wedding gown. After wedding vows have been exchanged, and the celebration has begun at the wedding reception, all of the women blindfold the new bride and dance around her. She places her crown on the head of the girl next to marry in much the way beauty queens pass their crowns following their year of reign.

It is a Finnish wedding custom for the newlyweds to sit together in designated seats of honor at the wedding reception. The bride holds a sieve, covered by a shawl, into which guests deposit gifts of cash. At some weddings, the bride's mother-in-law or god mother puts a china plate on top of the her head when the newlyweds begin their wedding dance, usually a waltz. After the plate falls, the pieces of broken china foretell the number of children the couple can expect to have.

The last dance at a Finish wedding reception is called the weaning-waltz. The women start the waltz with the bride and the men with the groom, children included. Each person dances only for a moment with the bride and with the groom. The dance's origin was a test to see how quickly the bride and groom will 'forget' each other.

French Wedding Traditions

  French Traditions and Traditions Before the Marriage Ceremony

The traditional bridal trousseau, or hope chest, originated in France and came from the French word trousse, meaning bundle.

The popularity of a bride wearing a white wedding gown on her day of matrimony, began in France several hundred years ago. The custom of having fragrant flowers as decorations and bridal bouquets has also been popular for centuries. Each flower represents a special and unique meaning to the bride and groom, and especially fragrant flowers helped freshen things up a bit, before deodorant and perfumes were invented. Wedding bells in France were usually heard in spring and summer when it was warm enough for everyone to bathe!

Still practiced in small villages today, is a traditional French custom, for the groom to call on his future bride at her home on the morning of their wedding day. As he escorts her to the wedding chapel, the town's children stretch white ribbons across the road, which the bride cuts. The groom usually walks his mother down the aisle just prior to the main wedding procession.

As the newlywed couple departs from the wedding site, laurel leaves are scattered in their path for them to walk over.

  French Wedding Reception

A wedding toast is made to the newlyweds sometime during the traditional French wedding reception. Following this toast, they drink, as husband and wife, from a specially engraved, double handled goblet, usually a precious family heirloom passed down from generation to generation.

After the wedding reception, and even later into the couple's wedding night, friends of the newlyweds might show up outside their window banging pots and pans, singing boisterous tunes. The groom is expected to invite them in for drinks and snacks.

German Wedding Traditions

  Before the German Wedding Day

According to German wedding tradition, when a baby girl is born in Germany, several trees are planted in honor of her birth. When her wedding date is set, the trees are sold, and the money is used for her dowry.

A unique German pre-wedding custom is the creation of a wedding newspaper by the friends and family of the bride and groom. This newspaper, or booklet, is filled with pictures, articles and stories of the engaged couple. The newspaper is sold at the wedding reception, to assist with the expenses of the honeymoon.

  German Marriage Celebrations

A traditional wedding day, in Germany, could actually last three days. First, German couples who are getting married must have a civil ceremony at the city center, which only family and close friends attend.

The next night is the big wedding party. The bride and groom invite all of their friends, neighbors and acquaintances. German wedding tradition says it's good luck for guests to bring old dishes to break. The newlyweds then sweep up the broken pieces together, symbolizing that nothing will ever be broken in their house again.

  Religious Marriage Ceremonies in Germany

On the third day, the German religious wedding ceremony takes place. German brides do not have traditional wedding attendants except for flower girls.

Sometime during the vows, when the couple are on their knees, the groom might kneel on his brides wedding dress to show who will be 'wearing the pants' in the relationship. When they stand, the bride might step on her groom's foot to show otherwise.

As the newlyweds leave the wedding chapel, they throw coins to the children watching.

A wedding reception follows the religious service.. It is customary for the 'best man' to steal the bride from the reception and take her to a local pub, where they drink champagne until the groom finds them. Then the groom has to pay for all that they drank. Later, friends of the couple block all the reception site exits with ribbons and garlands. When the couple is ready to leave for their honeymoon, the groom must pay a toll to exit, usually the promise of another party.

Greek Wedding Traditions

 

  Marriage Traditions in Ancient Greece

Greek brides wore traditional wedding veils of yellow or red, which represented fire. These brightly colored veils were supposed to protect the bride from evil spirits and demons.

In ancient Greece, diamonds were considered teardrops of the Gods, and it was believed that a diamond reflected the flames of love.

A Greek bride may carry a lump of sugar on her wedding day to ensure she has a sweet life, or she might carry ivy, as a symbol of endless love.

  Greek Orthodox Wedding Traditions

A traditional Greek Orthodox marriage includes the celebration of the formal engagement.

On the day of the Greek wedding ceremony, the groom asks the bride's father for his daughter's hand in marriage. The groom's best man then accompanies the couple to the church, to be married. The best man, along with the priest, is in charge of the ceremony. He places gold crowns or wreathes made of orange blossoms on the heads of the bride and groom. These crowns or wreathes are linked by a silk ribbon. For the rest of their wedding day the newlyweds are honored as king and queen.

  Wedding Celebrations

The traditional Greek wedding reception is usually a huge party and can last through the night. There is feasting, drinking and dancing, which includes the famous Greek circle dance.

Dishes are smashed on the floor for good luck and money is thrown at the musicians.

Candy coated almonds, called Bom Bom Yara are served to the guests as reception party favors.

Wedding Traditions in Iceland

Wedding receptions in Iceland feature wedding cake called kransakaka.

This lovely cake is made by creating 'wedding rings' of almond pastry of various sizes which are then piled on top of one another to form a pyramid. Swirls of white icing decorate each ring, and fine chocolates or decorative candies fill the center.

Wedding Traditions in India

 

Sweets, eggs, and money are woven into to wedding themes of India. They symbolize, respectively, a sweet life, fertility, and prosperity. The Hindu wedding ceremony includes customary rituals to ward off evil spirits. After the wedding vows have been exchanged the groom's father or brother showers flower petals on the newlyweds; then he holds a coconut over the bride and groom's heads and circles it around them three times. An Indian groom often wears a turban with a veil of flowers streaming down in front of his face to protect him from evil spirits.

Traditional Indian brides wear pink and red saris on their wedding day, adorning themselves extravagantly with as much jewelry as possible. Henna staining, a customary art form, is still practiced by Indian brides to be. On the eve of her wedding vows, following a traditional ceremonial cleansing, the bride-to-be will have her hands and feet painted with henna, in beautiful paisley or medallion patterns.

Then a special wedding gift is given to the bride, a necklace signifying her married status.

Wedding Traditions in Indonesia

 

  Customary Engagement Etiquette in Indonesia

An Indonesian engagement could easily last for many years. During this time, ceremonial gift giving takes place between the bride and groom's families to strengthen their familiarity.

  Indonesian Wedding Ceremony

An Indonesian wedding program is a very important event. Everyone that is even slightly acquainted with the bride and groom may be invited, and this could mean thousands of guests. The majority of invited guests do not attend the actual ceremony, but it is considered rude to be invited to the wedding reception, to share in the joy of the newlyweds, and to not attend.

  Wedding Reception Celebration

There is often an elaborate processional into the reception site, which consists of a long chain of flowers. Professional dancers perform traditional Indonesian dances, while family and guests await the arrival of the newlyweds.

It is customary for the traditional Indonesian bride and groom to greet each guest in a long receiving line, before the reception festivities can begin.

Wedding Traditions in Iran

 

An Iranian wedding custom began when the country was still called Persia. The groom would purchase the ceremonial wedding dress for his bride-to-be. This gown consisted of ten feet of sheeting that he would wrap around his intended wife.

During wedding ceremony, it is an Iranian custom for a happily married woman to hold a translucent shawl over the couple's heads.

After the newlyweds have exchanged their wedding vows, crumbs from two decorated sugar cones are shaved over their heads for good luck.

Irish Wedding Traditions
  

  Irish Wedding Ring

An Irish bride' wedding ring is called a Claddagh ring. It is a heart held by two hands with a crown. The hands represent faith, the crown symbolizes honor and the heart signifies love. If the hands are worn pointing out the woman is single, but if the hands are facing out, the woman is wed.

  Wedding Day Traditions in Ireland

An old Irish tradition calls for the couple getting married to walk together to the church together, to exchange their wedding vows. As they walked down the main street, to the chapel, onlookers would not only throw rice to bless the marriage, but larger items as well, such as pots and pans.

The traditional Irish bride might wear a blue wedding dress on her wedding day, believing blue to be a lucky color. English lavender, an herb, is often mixed with her wedding flower. It is traditional for the bride to braid her hair, as this is considered a sacred way to keep feminine power and luck.

St. Patrick's Day is considered one of the luckiest wedding anniversary dates in Ireland.

  An Irish Honeymoon

The Irish translation for "honeymoon" is mi na meala, which means the month of honey. It was an Irish custom for the newlyweds to spend a month together drinking honeyed wine, secluded, in case their families tried to separate them. Especially if they had eloped.

Wedding Traditions in Israel

 

The traditional wedding custom of an Israeli bride wearing "something blue", with her wedding dress, originated in ancient Israel. An Israeli bride, about to be married, wore a blue ribbon, symbolizing fidelity.

Italian Wedding Traditions

 

Getting Engaged in Italy

In the past, Italian wedding engagements were usually orchestrated by the families of the bride and groom. Lineage was of the most importance, and if the bride's father had any doubts, negotiations could stop in their tracks. In some cases, a matchmaker sent a message (masciata) to the prospective bride's family of the man's hope to marry. If her family found the groom's proposal acceptable, there would be wedding bells and a marriage.

Diamond engagement rings have been popular with Italian brides since the 1400's. Italians have long held that diamonds are created by the flames of love. In medieval Italy, grooms even paid for their brides with precious stones.

In preparation for her wedding day, the bride assembles a trousseau, consisting of household items, clothing, and sometimes even her future husband's clothes to bring to the home of the groom. Her family provided her with a dowry of money and possibly domestic goods. Today, this custom continues in the form of the bridal shower.

              Wedding Day Traditions and Folklore in Italy

Traditions

In Veneto, it is customary for the Italian couple getting married to walk to the wedding chapel together. The townsfolk place obstacles in the bride's path to see how she will react to domestic situations. If she picked up a broom, for example, she will keep a clean house. If they put a child in her way and she stopped to help him, she will be a good mother. In some regions, the bride and groom must cut a log in half before they reach the wedding site, using a double handled saw. This demonstrates their partnership in love and marriage.

Tying a ribbon in front of the wedding chapel to symbolize the bond between the couple getting married is another popular wedding custom in Italy. The actual wedding ceremony (sposalizio) is officiated by a priest or civil authority. Old church tradition warns against marrying during Lent and Advent, and marriage is also avoided in the months of May and August. A lengthy celebration begins with a mass in the morning; and the dancing and feasting that follows may continue well into the wee hours of the morning.

Italian Folklore

To ward off evil spirits, a groom in Italy might carry a piece of iron in his pocket. The bride wears a veil to hide her face from jealous spirits. Tearing the veil is considered good luck.

Sunday marriages are believed to be the luckiest.

It is considered bad luck for a bride to wear any gold, on the day she is married, until wedding rings are exchanged.

Symbolic foods for fertility and for good luck are 'confetti -- candy covered almonds tied in mesh bags to toss at the couple; and twists of fried dough powdered with sugar called wanda (bow ties).

Gourmet Food for Italian Wedding Receptions

For hundreds of years, traditional gourmet Italian food has been served to wedding reception guests. Sweet liquor and strong drinks are served to the guests, by the best man, before the dinner begins. This gives the guests a chance to toast the happy couple with "Per cent'anni" which means, for a hundred years.

The menu at an Italian reception is nearly as important as the wedding itself. Guests may be served as many as 14 different courses with wine and other beverages. After dinner, the customary multi-layered Italian wedding cake is served with espresso and coffee. The sheer volume of food reflects how highly anticipated and festive a typical Italian wedding is.

Wedding Reception Traditions

For the traditional Italian custom of 'buste', the bride will carry a satin bag (la borsa) in which guests place envelopes of money to defer the expenses of customarily lavish Italian weddings. Sometimes the bag is guarded by the bride's grandmother during the festivities or the bride might wear it and allow male guests to put money in it in exchange for a dance with her.

Before the reception is over, the bride and groom usually break a glass. The number of pieces of shattered glass symbolize the years the happy couple will share together. At some weddings, a pair of white doves is released into the air, symbolizing the couple's love and happiness.

Toast to the Newlyweds

One popular custom is a toast, usually made by a male guest after a few glasses of wine. "Evviva gli sposi" - "hurray for the newlyweds." Guests respond with thundering applause. This toast is shouted whenever there is a lull in the wedding celebration, renewing spirits and enthusiasm.

"Kiss for the bride" is another popular Italian toast. It calls for the bride and groom to stand and show their affections for all the guests to see.