Wedding traditions from Around the Globe

Hello Brides and Summer Readers,
Today's contribution to our ongoing blog about weddings features some traditions scooped up from around the world. Have you ever wondered why couples in Greece wear crowns? Or what the gold coins represent in Spain? Did you just find out that your great-great-great grandmother was Polish and want to incorporate a sense of her wedding into yours? We're here to help! .

From the United Kingdom

Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue. This rhyme highlights the tradition of the bride carrying items that represent continuity, optimism for the future, borrowed happiness, and fidelity. This one made it across the pond to our shores and is still quite common in American weddings.

Confetti and Rice. Guests often throw confetti or rice at the newlyweds as they leave the ceremony, symbolizing fertility and prosperity. And yes, we love this one too. Brides have moved away from this a bit and chosen bird seed, but the meaning still spells C-E-L-E-B-R-A-T-I-O-N!

FRench Weddings

Croquembouche. Instead of a traditional wedding cake, French weddings often feature a croquembouche, a tower of cream-filled profiteroles bound with caramel.

La Mairie. French couples must have a civil ceremony at the town hall, often followed by a religious ceremony if they choose. The French manage to be such a culture of romance, and yet a civil service is all that is mandatory to be married. Tres chic. 

Wedding TRaditions in Greece

Stefana. The bride and groom wear crowns connected by a ribbon, symbolizing the union of two people into a single couple. These crowns can be ornate or made with natural elements, but the symbolism is unmistakable.

Money Dance. Guests pin money to the bride and groom's clothing during the reception, providing financial support for their new life together.

iTALY

La Tarantella. This traditional dance at Italian weddings is believed to ward off evil spirits and bring good luck.

​Confetti (Sugared Almonds). Five almonds are given to guests, symbolizing health, wealth, happiness, fertility, and longevity.

wEDDING tRADITIONS IN sPAIN

Arras. During the ceremony, the groom gives the bride 13 gold coins, known as arras, symbolizing his commitment to support her.

​Seguidillas Manchegas. A traditional Spanish dance often performed at weddings. We love our bride/groom, father/daughter or other choreographed dances, so we co-sign on any kind of dance that kicks off a reception.

Poland's Wedding Traditions 

Oczepiny. A post-midnight tradition where the bride's veil is removed, symbolizing her transition from bride to wife, often accompanied by playful games. Cheers to long receptions that bleed into games and stories after midnight!

Bread and Salt. Newlyweds are greeted with bread and salt, symbolizing prosperity and the ability to overcome life's challenges. These two elements are the food and flavor of life, as well, so consider pulling them into your ceremony as gestures to yourselves and your guests..

Germany

Polterabend. On the night before the wedding, guests break porcelain dishes to bring good luck to the couple. The bride and groom then clean up the shards together, symbolizing teamwork.

​Log Cutting. After the ceremony, the bride and groom saw a log in half together, demonstrating their ability to work together and overcome obstacles. Girls and Guys: if you want to look great while sawing your log in half we've got you! 

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