Traditions from Around the World
Chinese
If you're big astrological believers, you may want to consider setting a date (and sometimes even a potential spouse) via Chinese tradition. The Chinese pick their special day according to astrological signs and birth dates. The ceremony will almost ALWAYS begin at the
half hour, rather than the top of the hour, to guarantee good fortune for the couple (the couple begins their new lives together on an 'upswing',
while the hands of the clock are moving up, rather than down).
Red is the color of choice when it comes to traditional and even non-traditional Chinese celebrations. It signifies
love, joy and
prosperity and is used in a variety of ways throughout the wedding process. The bride's wedding down is often red, as
are the wedding invitations, and wedding gift boxes or envelopes for
cash gifts. The Chinese character "xi" or double happiness bestows the wish of a
happy life for the couple. Incorporate these characters by having double happiness favor bags or double happiness chopsticks for wedding favors.
The wedding ceremony is usually attended only by the couples' immediate
families. Just after the ceremony and before the wedding reception, the
bride who honors tradition will serve tea to her in-laws in a formal
ceremony. The wedding
reception is usually an elaborate,
standing only affair. Chinese culture is known for it's symbolism, and the wedding cake is no exception. The traditional wedding cake is immense, with many layers. The layers
symbolize a ladder that the couple will 'climb to success', so couples
will cut the cake from the bottom and work their way up.
Filipino
Where
red is the primary color in traditions Chinese weddings,
white is the central theme and color for traditional Filipino weddings. The bride’s gown is often custom made and tailored and
both the bride and groom wear
white. It is considered unlucky for the bride to try on her dress before the
wedding day and even worse luck to wear pearl jewelry, which is considered a bad omen.
The groom traditionally wears a sheer, long-sleeve button-up shirt (with a white shirt underneath),
not tucked into black pants.
As the Spanish do, the groom presents his bride with 13 gold pieces as a pledge of his
dedication to her and the welfare of their children. Rather than having
only a ring bearer, a coin bearer walks
with the ring bearer presenting the coins on a pillow. A white
cord is draped around the couple’s shoulders as a bond of infinite
marriage and veils of white tulle are draped on the bride’s head and
groom’s shoulders to symbolize two people clothed as one.
A tradition that is seen in almost all weddings today, the unity candle, is a rooted Filipino tradition. The bride
and groom to represent the joining of the two families and invoke the
light of Christ. Also done in Spanish ceremonies, the bouquet is not tossed and rather offered to a
favorite saint, the virgin, or on the grave of a loved one.
For those of you ATTENDING a Filipino wedding: knives and other sharp objects are not considered good gifts because
they will lead to a broken marriage. Raindrops are lucky because they
bring prosperity and happiness, and when the rice is tossed at the
newlyweds it represents the rain!
Indian
Ahh, my favorite of ALL cultural wedding traditions! It could be because one of my very best friends is Indian and has introduced me more and more into her culture, or it could simply be because it is such a beautiful and meaningful ceremony. Either way, I can't get enough of the Indian culture and their traditions! I could have spent an entire blog post on Indian weddings, but I will try my
best to summarize and only include the most important and well known
traditions!
Indian weddings are so elaborate that there are websites strictly dedicated to aiding in planning an Indian wedding, there are wedding planners who strictly specialize in Indian weddings (I have thought about that many times, but figured traditional brides wouldn't this white girl seriously), and there are even specific vendors who
only sell decor for Indian weddings. Yeah, they're THAT cool.
These ceremonies focus heavily on the combining of two families, and
less on the engaged couple. Indian weddings can last for days and are
rooted deeply in culture and heritage. They are traditionally multi-day affairs, and involve many
intricate ceremonies, such as the painting of the hands and feet of the
bride called a mehndi. Garlands are presented to guests of honor
instead of corsages, and lots of flower or rose petals are thrown for good luck. The wedding is typically divided into three parts:
pre-wedding, main,
and
post-wedding.
- The pre-wedding includes all the preparations and a
party the night before where each side of the family can meet each
other and dance and have fun. A Pandit, who has selected the day of the
wedding based on the bride and groom’s horoscopes (like in Chinese culture), conducts a prayer
with family members to provide the couple with a happily married life.
- In the main ceremony, the wedding altar (mandapa) is built the day of and the groom is
welcomed by his future mother in law where his feet are then washed and
he is offered milk and honey. The wedding ceremony takes place outside under a tent, or
mandap, that is decorated with flowers. Seating beneath the mandap is
usually on the ground or on carpets. The four pillars holding up the
mandap signify the four parents who helped to raise the new couple. A
sacred, confined fire is lit under the tent while the groom's party
processes in. Once the bride and her party arrive, hymns are recited by a
priest and vows are exchanged. The newlyweds may also feed each other sweets and exchange garlands of fresh flowers.
- Since the reception is usually organized by the family of
the groom, most of the attendants are friends and family of the groom.
Close members of the bride's party may attend, but the reception is
traditionally used as an opportunity for the bride to get acquainted
with her new family. The celebration is filled with fine food, music and
dancing.
Apparel
The Japanese ritual of "san-san-kudo" (the three by three
exchange) is rich with meaning. It is performed by the bride and groom
and both sets of parents. Each person takes 3 sips of sake from each of 3
cups. The first 3 represent three couples, the bride and groom, and
their parents. The second 3 represent three human flaws: hatred,
passion, and ignorance. "Ku", or 9 is a lucky number in Japanese
culture. Another highlight of this ceremony is a rosary with 21 beads
that represent the couple, their families and the Buddha all joined on
one string to symbolize the union of the families. Part of the ceremony
involves honoring the parents with offers of flowers, a toast, or a
letter expressing their love and gratitude.
As in Korean, Vietnamese, and other Asian cultures, the crane is a symbol of longevity and prosperity. Japanese wedding tradition says that 1,001 folded, gold origami cranes bring luck, good fortune,
longevity, fidelity, and peace to the marriage.
The bride traditionally wears two outfits: the shiro, which
is a white
kimono worn for the ceremony and the
uchikake kimono which is
a patterned brocade worn at the reception. The hair is worn in a bun
with colorful
kanzashi accessories and a white wedding hook called the
tsuno kakushi is worn to hide the two front golden tsuno horns to
symbolize
obedience. The bride also carries a tiny purse (hakoseko), a
small encased sword (kaiken), and a fan that is worn in the obi belt
that represents happiness and a happy future.
Plenty of courses are served, but
never in a multiple of four
because the number four sounds like the word for death. Additionally,
the different foods served all have special meanings, for example
lobster might be served because red is a lucky color or clams served
with both shells symbolize the couple’s union.
Check in soon for upcoming entries on bachelor and bacheorette parties, seasonal flowers, and 2013 wedding trends!
Sources:
Beau Coup,
WWT,
eHow
