Every couple wants to make their wedding unique and perfectly tailored to their personality. As a wedding planner this can be a daunting task! An easy way to incorporate individuality into a ceremony is through the inclusion of traditions. Many couples these days are moving away from the garter toss, the adherence to two wedding colors and even the traditional first look. A fun way to modernize some of these out-dated aspects is through infusing the cultural heritage of the soon-to-be married couple.
The list below, created by Invaluable, of wedding traditions from around the world includes some crazy concepts, like how in Germany, couples physically saw a log on their big day. However, a few of the traditions are super cute like the Mexican knot-tying or the Philippine dove release.
Scroll through to see if any would be suited for your clients!
Along with unique wedding customs performed around the world, there are also traditional wedding objects with interesting historical significance that have been used in weddings for generations. Read more on a few of the most common objects below.
- The bridal cup has roots in German folklore. According to the legend, a rich nobleman imprisoned his daughter’s true love because he didn’t think him worthy. After watching her suffering, he agreed to release the man and allow the marriage if he could create a cup from which two people could drink without spilling a drop. From this, the bridal cup was born.
- The hope chest comes from the time when a dowry was given to a man in exchange for him taking on the burden of care from the bride’s family. In Victorian Era United States, young women were given chests to prepare for matrimony which they filled with items needed for their future lives like blankets, dresses, and other household items.
- Wedding rings were used by the Egyptians, the Greeks, and the Romans, who all revered the circle’s symbolical representation of eternity and the display of wealth demonstrated by the gold. In the 17th century, diamonds were added to the mix as a further display of love, affection, and status
Next time you are planning a wedding, consider why certain behaviors are expected. For example, the bride wears something borrowed from a happily married couple so that their good fortune will rub off. Typically the mother, sister, or other relatives will gift the bride a small token to include in her wedding day outfit for luck, like a piece of antique jewelry. When planning a wedding or purchasing a gift for a happy couple, consider giving the couple something steeped in history like antique wooden kitchen accessories or a blue brooch to wear on the walk down the aisle.
Sources: Brides.com | Huffington Post | The Knot | Hitched | Martha Stewart
Leave a Reply