It is a challenge to make your wedding unique amongst all
the weddings you and your friends will attend together.
One of the most fun and creative ways to make
your wedding stand out is to use a tradition from your family background.
The following are some customs from around
the world that you may be able to use to make your special day a little
different.
1. Wedding cakes in France were
typically a Croque en Bouche. They are
pastry balls filled with cream and stacked in a pyramid then drizzled in caramel. What a great change from the traditional
wedding cake.
2. The French may have started the
“after party” as well. Cheverie is the
tradition of guests clanking pots and making noise in front of the honeymoon suite. Traditionally the groom invites the rowdy
guests in the room for some snacks and drinks.
The noisier part of this tradition might not go over very well if the
honeymoon suite is in a crowded hotel or bed and breakfast, but if you plan to
spend the night at home, invite your friends back for a while.
3. Candied almonds are
traditionally served at Italian weddings.
The bitterness of the almond and the sweetness of the candy is said to
remind everyone that marriage is for better and for worse. Life is bitter and sweet.
4. Another fun Italian tradition
is to cut up the groom’s tie and auction the pieces off for money. The cash is then given to the bride and groom
to use on their honeymoon.
5. Traditional Japanese weddings
include the ceremonial drinking of sake.
The bride and groom drink nine cups of sake which symbolizes the bonding
of the couple. Family and guests also
drink sake to reaffirm the bond.
6. Traditionally Indian brides are
decorated with henna prior to the wedding ceremony. At some wedding celebrations Mehndi artists are hired to decorate the hands and
feet of wedding guests to wish the new bride happiness and luck in her
future.
7. At the end of a Jewish wedding
ceremony, the groom steps on a glass and breaks it. This custom has a couple of explanations. One states that the noise will scare away
evil spirits, the other states that the couple will stay married as long as it
takes to reassemble the glass.
8. Having a piper lead the
processional and recessional is a great way to incorporate Celtic tradition
into your wedding. Hiring a ceileigh
band for the cocktail hour or party is another great way to add Celtic flavor.
9. At a Russian wedding, a friend
of the couple gives a toast at the beginning of the reception. All of the guests are to drink the champagne
and throw the glasses to the floor. If
the glass breaks when it hits, it is considered good luck for the bride and
groom. Again, this is a tradition that
works best at home rather than in a public reception facility.
10. Jumping the Broom has become a
very popular African tradition at weddings.
Slaves could not legally marry, so to symbolize a bond between husband
and wife, the couple would jump a broom to start their new beginning together.
This is just a small selection
of ways to incorporate ethnic traditions into your wedding. The Internet is a valuable resource to find
all kinds of unusual ways to celebrate a wedding day. From ceremony to dinner and dancing, there
are thousands of years worth of customs to try.
Susan Southerland is the president and founder of Just Marry! and the wedding
planning expert for Perfect Wedding Guide. For more wedding
planning tips and ideas, visit Susan's blog.