Tradition simply means that we need to end what began well and continue what is worth continuing.” Jose Bergamin, Spanish writer and poet
When we are invited to weddings, we usually witness what you and I would consider traditional or common to our culture or family, especially in the country you are currently living. We are occasionally invited, or have access, to other cultures’ weddings in the U.S. or North America with its diverse population. It is a privilege and an honor, whether it is a cultural tradition or a unique family ritual, when we are able to participate at these events. If you’re the type of couple who is unsure what traditions you want to use for your own wedding, or you are open to trying something different, here are just a few that you can borrow:
In the Indian or Pakistani culture, the bride’s family covers and surrounds their home with hundreds of stringed lights of different colors to announce the big event the day before the wedding ceremony. This occasion is called a Mehndi, and the families are joyful in song and even dance. The bride’s hands and feet are painted with henna with intricate patterns. Her family waits on her while she has to let the henna dry overnight. In North America, it is similar to the rehearsal dinner in pre-celebration and feeling of preparation to the big day. It is also a good opportunity to meet each other’s families and friends.
The color red is used with significance in several cultures. It symbolizes love, joy, and prosperity in China, so red envelopes are used for gifts, a red gown is always worn by the bride and invitations are either red or have a touch of red in their design. Indian brides usually wear red saris on their wedding day. In the western culture, a red rose symbolizes love and is widely used for weddings especially around Valentine’s Day. If you’re not the traditional bride, why not change to a red dress at the wedding reception?
A traditional custom in the Philippine Islands is to have a veil drape over the bride and groom to symbolize unity. It is followed by a white cord or lasso loosely over the veil and around the couple’s necks and is a symbol of their bond. An older version is a part of the bride’s veil is pinned or draped over the groom. You might get away with this if you plan to have a long veil. However if you have a very short veil, you may want to try the cord. The modern version you can use is the “God’s Knot” or a cord of three strands. It is three strands or cords of different colors attached to a brass or metal ring; purple for the groom, gold for God, and white for the bride. After the vows, the groom holds onto the brass ring while the bride braids the cords together because marriage takes three to make it strong; God, the bride and groom.
from Martha Stewart
If you do not want the usual three or four-tiered wedding cake, why not try have a traditional French croquembouche. It is a towering cone made up of small crème puffs filled with pastry cream and surrounded by threads of caramelized sugar. This yummy tower of crunchy goodness is usually served at christenings and weddings. Instead of cutting a cake, you can each pull a cream puff from the tower and feed each other to celebrate and symbolize their new life together.
Speaking of sweets, an Irish honeymoon traditionally lasted for a month. In fact, honeymoon translated in Irish as “the month of honey” or “mi na meala.” They isolated themselves for a month drinking honeyed wine, just in case their families try to separate them, especially if they eloped. In modern times, the honeymoon is a time for the newlyweds to get to know each other more, usually at a tropical hotel resort, and to finally relax from what seemed to be an endless amount of wedding planning and celebration. Instead of the usual one week, why not take a month off? Two weeks of island romance and another two to enjoy your new home together. This may be my favorite of all the customs to borrow and a concept to be rekindled every 10th anniversary!
Couples are now more contemporary and do not always marry somebody in their own culture or religion; however, this does not stop them from mixing, not borrowing, their own traditions to honor their own ancestries and beliefs. This compromise is an indication of a good marriage.
Most traditions or rituals are sacred or well-respected by its culture or country so use them with care when you incorporate them in your own ceremony or reception, which of course is meaningful in itself.
Hope you found some inspiration in the planning of your own celebration.
BBFN (Bridal Bliss for Now,)
Olivia
