International Wedding Traditions

It is also not uncommon to show unification between couples by melding two different cultures into one wedding. Sometimes, a wedding with an international theme or traditions doesn't have anything to do with the heritage of the engaged couple, but serve as a decorative or personal approach towards their nuptials.Traditions and customs from around the world may involve the celebration of African, Irish, Spanish, or Chinese culture. Below you will find a few suggestions on how to incorporate some of the themes, traditions, and beliefs associated with an array of cultures.When it comes to integrating some of the culture of Africa into a wedding, engaged couples may choose to embrace cowrie shells throughout their theme. In Africa, cowrie shells serve as a symbol of fertility, which makes perfect accents for a necklace, gown trim, headpieces, and hair accessories. A tradition associated with South African weddings is the decorating of a broom that the married couple jumps over during the ceremony. This act signifies "leaping into a new life." During the reception or outside of the ceremony, it is also customary to pour a little wine on the ground, which serves as a libation to the gods.

The color of red is a prominent shade that appears in Chinese weddings, as it stands for luck and good fortune. Sometimes, the bridesmaids will wear red while carrying an oriental fan. The bride may carry a bouquet of red roses. As for centerpieces, Chinese lanterns make attractive scenery. Fortune cookies filled with personalized sayings may also decorate reception tables.When following the customs of a Greek wedding, the bride may tuck away a lump of sugar in her glove on the special day as a symbol that the marriage will turn out to be sweet. Signifying fertility, the bridesmaids may present small packages of wrapped almonds to the guests. In India, the groomsman or the brother may sprinkle flower petals over the newly married couple at the end of the ceremony, which is believed to keep evil spirits away.Irish weddings may incorporate the wedding venue shamrock into the flower displays, wedding cake, wedding invitations, or stationary. When it comes to making a toast, some Irish couples opt to serve Guinness or Murphy's beer instead of the traditional sip of champagne. The engaged couple may wear a claddagh wedding ring, which showcases two hands holding a heart with a crown. After the exchange of vows, the ring should be turned in such a way that the hands face towards the wearer.

During a Mexican wedding, a traditional piñata may be used, which serves as a symbol that gifts will pour down from heaven for the married couple. Before the first dance is taken as man and wife, guests will sometimes form a heart-shaped ring around the couple. At the end of a Jewish ceremony, it is customary for the groom to stomp on a glass, which signifies that the presence of God is felt and to pay homage to the new home the newlyweds will make with one another.To plan a Scottish wedding theme, a hired bagpiper may guide guests and the newlyweds from the ceremony or to the reception. Sometimes, the groom or the groomsmen will wear a kilt during the ceremony.