By Chris Simeral
If you’d like to add a slice of your heritage to your wedding ceremony, you’re not alone. Millions of couples are embracing their ancestry and choosing to incorporate some of the best traditions from around the world in their ceremonies here at home. Here are some of the most interesting wedding traditions you might find if you attended a wedding in France, Italy or Spain. If you or your family are from one of these countries, why not try adding some phrases from your ancestor’s native tongue in your wedding vows for a truly memorable touch!
France
On the day of the wedding, it is customary for the French groom to meet the bride at her home and accompany her to the church. He then is walked down the aisle by his mother during the ceremony. After the ceremony, the couple walks on laurel leaves that have been strewn on the ground by well wishers. Fragrant flowers are also carried by the
bride in the belief that the scent will repel evil spirits.
Traditionally, guests to the wedding will bring small cakes and pile them on a table as they enter the church. The bride and groom kiss over the cakes to symbolize a fruitful life. On the wedding night, these same guests will stand outside banging on pots and pans until the groom invites them in for drinks.
Italy
The bride in an Italian wedding wears a veil over her face in order to hide it from evil spirits until the ceremony is over. It’s considered good luck for the groom to tear it at the conclusion of the ceremony. Evil spirits are also warded off by the groom carrying a piece of iron in his pocket.
At the beginning of the wedding reception, the best man serves sweet liquor or strong drinks to the wedding guests, who then toast the wedding couple with the words “cent’anni,” which means “for a hundred years.” There may be as many as 14 different entrees at an Italian wedding dinner, each with its own wine selection.
To help defray the costs of the lavish ceremony and to assist in the couple’s new lives together, the bride often carries a satin bag. Guests place envelopes of money in the bag, and male guests may buy dances with the bride by contributing to this fund.
Spain
Before the wedding ceremony in Spain, the groom will present the bride with 13 coins in a little bag, which she then carries to the ceremony. These coins represent his commitment to her. At the ceremony, she will wear orange blossoms in her hair to signify virginity and purity. The church is also often decorated with orange blossoms.
In stark contrast to most wedding traditions, in Spain it is customary for the bride to wear a black silk dress at her wedding. Her veil is also black, and intricately embroidered. The groom wears an embroidered shirt made for him by his bride-to-be.
At the reception after the ceremony, guests traditionally present the newlyweds a gift for their household. There is also a traditional dance, called the “sequidillas manchegas,” which the guests enjoy.
Chris Simeral is the creator of The Ultimate Wedding Vow Toolkit, the wedding-coordinator-approved home-study course for couples personalizing or renewing their wedding vows. Sign up for the free wedding vow mini-course at
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August 09 2008 | Love & Marriage | No Comments »
Fall wedding centerpieces are essential to finishing off your wedding reception decorations. With a little thought and creativity, you can come up with a fabulous centerpiece idea.
Fall is a great time to get married, especially if you are in a location that you can enjoy the colorful foliage that it brings. It is harvest time, the weather is cooling off and there are many fun options for centerpieces. It is also the perfect season for a wedding theme. Options include apple, wine, leaves and Fall flowers among others. Each of the ideas below can easily be paired with a theme.
In general your centerpieces should fit in seamlessly with the rest of your decorations. Things to consider when weighing your options include the décor of the reception space, the size of the tables, the wedding theme you chose, your wedding colors and your budget. You want your centerpieces to be the right size for your wedding reception. Having them too big or too small won’t look right.
Use your team of wedding vendors to bounce ideas off of. Your florist, wedding planner and reception space are great resources that should be used during your planning.
- Flowers are usually the most popular choice for centerpieces, and Fall offers a few great choices. Mums are colorful and allow you to tie in your wedding colors with your decorations.
Other Fall flower choices include Hydrangea and Sunflower. Use these alone or in combination with other flowers like roses.
- There are several things you can do with pumpkins. One option is to create a jack-o-lantern for each table. Or, have the table numbers carved into pumpkins, and place them at the center of each table.
Pumpkins can also be used along with flowers. For example, instead of using vases to hold the flowers, use a hollowed out pumpkin instead.
- If you are serving wine at the reception, consider using the wine bottles as part of your centerpieces. This way they serve two purposes.
Another creative option would be to use a giant wedding glass to hold your flowers instead of a vase.
- Apples can be used in your floral and other centerpiece displays. Candy apples are a fun way to combine your centerpieces and your wedding favors.
- Pears are another Fall item that can be incorporated into your displays. Add them to floral displays, or use large vases to hold them along with other fruit.
- Candles are another common popular choice. Use hurricane vases filled half way with coffee beans surrounding a pillar candle.
- A Fall wedding wouldn’t be complete without leaves. Use color leaves that have fallen off of trees to decorate your tables and centerpieces.
Use the list above as a starting point in your search for Fall wedding centerpieces. There are many different paths you could take, but in the end you will know which one is right for your wedding.
By Stephen Badiali
Stephen Badiali is the owner of Wedding Ideas Guide. For more ideas and information visit Fall Wedding Idea and Wedding Centerpiece Idea.
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August 02 2008 | Wedding & Honeymoon Transport | No Comments »
Martha Stewart Weddings - $ 16.00
Martha Stewart Weddings received the National Magazine Award for general excellence. Read up on ideas that will help you stay within your budget, guidelines to hiring a florist, and beauty tips for the big day. You will find in each issue a section of worksheets that will help you plan and organize the many vital details of your big day such as your guest list and the catering. The numerous pictures of cake designs and flower arrangements will allow you to see various assortments to decide which suits your taste the best. Readers will find the magazine helpful in choosing a wedding gown and accessories, as well as planning wedding events, such as showers, luncheons and the reception. Each issue is full of ideas for all the little details such as table centerpieces, wedding favors, stationery and invitations. The Ask Martha section gives you an opportunity to get all of your lingering questions answered.
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July 23 2008 | Product Reviews | No Comments »
