Wedding Traditions- Asia and the Pacific Islands

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

Brides usually wear bright red saris draped over the body and hair, but white is also an option. The groom wears a long shirt and leggings. Depending on his faith, the groom may also wear a turban with a veil of flowers to protect him from evil spirits.. The couple, as well as the guests, traditionally wears flip-flops or slip-on shoes. Footwear is not allowed under the mandap. and any shoes must be removed before entering.

Cuisine

The food served at Indian weddings can vary depending on the region. Indian feasts are always lavish and have multiple courses. The meal may start with a variety of finger foods, as well as both vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes. Rice and roti, a type of bread, is almost always present on the table. Many of the popular main dishes include Mishti Doi, a sweet curd; Macher Kaalia, a fish dish; and Dal Makhani, a dish of boiled lentils. Depending on the preference of the families, alcohol may be served.

There are so, so, sooo many more ceremony traditions, modern traditions, and fun additions to today's modern Indian wedding celebrations! Read more about them at these websites: Traditional Indian Weddings  and Indian Weddings.

Japanese

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

Weddings Traditions- Europe, Africa and the Middle East

Traditions from Around the World

For my last two posts highlighting wedding traditions of all walks, I decided to end with a bang and introduce some of the most popular cultural wedding traditions!

Dutch

A wonderful Dutch custom that can be seen at an abundance of modern weddings is a wedding "wish tree." At the reception a beautiful tree branch is placed next to the bride and groom's table, and paper leaves attached to pieces of colorful ribbon are placed at each guest's place setting. Guests write their special wish for the happy couple on their leaves, which the bride and groom can then read and hang on the tree. Modernly, this replaces the guest book and is placed at the escort table rather than by the couple during the reception.

During a traditional Dutch ceremony, the bride and groom walk on a bed of flowers to the altar and flowers are tossed at them as they depart. During the reception, instead of tossing her bouquet, the bride would give out her crown and whoever got it was the next to be married. After the wedding celebrations, the newlyweds planted lilies of the valley around their house to symbolize the return of happiness and with each season their love would be renewed.

French

A few customs have been adopted from the French, but nothing too notable. One I love though, is the groom customarily walks his mother down the aisle before arriving at the altar to be married. This is a lovely, sincere gesture that can be easily adopted and will surely elicit a collective "aww" from the guests!

The traditional layered wedding cake originated in France, but another common cake is called the croquembouche, which is essentially a pyramid of crème-filled pastry puffs covered in a caramel glaze. If the bride and groom can kiss over the cakes without knocking them over, then it said that  they will have a lifetime of prosperity.

Irish

A popular Celtic design is the love knot and is used in many, many traditional Irish weddings. It is a pattern created by using continuous, unending lines that intertwine. The design represents eternity, unity, and fidelity and is an important part of the ceremony. A four leaf clover depicts hope, faith, love, and luck. Bells were thought to keep evil spirits away, so for an exit,  guests ring little wedding bells or use them instead of clinking glasses at the reception. The shamrock, bells, the celtic design, and the color green are a huge central idea for wedding decor!

The traditional wedding ring is called a claddagh, and depicts two hands holding a heart bearing a crown. The hands represent faith, the heart love, and the crown honor.

The brides typically wore wildflower wreaths in their hair and in their bouquets—especially lavender—and they braided their hair to symbolize feminine power and luck. Another accessory for the bride is a lucky horseshoe, which is tied around her bouquet. However, the points must face up so that it can catch and hold all the good luck. To insure good luck, someone must throw a shoe over the bride’s head as she is leaving the church; just make sure not to hit her!

African

You may have heard of "jumping the broom." It is a tradition stemming back to the days of slavery when slaves were forbidden from marrying. They created this ritual to represent the beginning of their new life together. In modern ceremonies, couples jump over a broom, often decorated with ribbon and tulle, after they’re pronounced married. Because of the controversial roots however, this tradition may sometimes be frowned upon by older generation African-Americans who are eager to forget slavery and the memories, or therefore of, it created.

During the ceremony, there is a tradition that involves the marrying couple to taste four elements:
-lemon for sour
-vinegar for bitter
-cayenne pepper for hot
-honey for sweet.

The four tastes represent the different times or moods of married life. In some tribes, the couple’s wrists were bound with plaited grass for the ceremony and the walk down the aisle. Many couples incorporate this tradition by simply holding hands.

Cowrie or other seashells represent purity and beauty in African culture. The colors of African royalty are purple and gold which make a bold combination for a wedding theme. African dancers and drummers for the reception and traditional African foods are also ways to incorporate the heritage!

Armenian

Before the ceremony, the bride’s brother will place money in her shoe for good luck and he will place the bride’s shoes on her feet. Before the bride’s veil is placed on her head, she circles the veil over the heads of the single women in her dressing room to bring them fortune in finding a husband. Then the happily married woman closest to the bride will place the veil on the bride’s head to bring her new marriage luck.

"May you grow old on one pillow" is one popular toast that is also commonly used as the theme of Armenian weddings. You can print the phrase on invitations and programs or engrave it on a silver keepsake wedding favor for guests.

A traditional Armenian bride will wear a red silk gown and a cardboard headpiece that is shaped like wings and covered with feathers; however, it is safe to say that tradition is squashed. More and more young Armenians women are sporting a headpiece rather than an obnoxious, unflattering cardboard piece on their head. Celebrities such as Kim Kardashian embraced her Armenian roots during her August 2011 wedding (which incidentally only lasted 72 days) by donning a newer-traditional headpiece. 

Persian

I recently began reading and researching Persian weddings in the midst I'd have a Persian friend or two marry in the near future. There are two parts: the Aghd (ceremony) and the Jashn-e Aroosi (reception) which sometimes can last up to 7 days. The most intricate and important part of the marriage celebration, Sofreh-ye Aghd, is an elaborately decorated spread on the floor in which the couple sits in front of during the ceremony. On the Sofreh-ye Aghd, the following items are placed:

• A mirror and two candlabras on either side of the mirror representing the couple's brightness and future.
• A tray of seven multi-colored herbs and spices to guard the couple from the evil eye, witch craft, and evil spirits. 
• A specially baked and decorated flatbread with blessing "Mobaarak-Baad" written in calligraphy on it.
• A basket of decorated eggs
• A basket of decorated almonds, walnuts, and hazelnuts to symbolize fertility.
• A basket of pomegranates and/or apples for a joyous future.
• A cup of rosewater to give aroma.
• A bowl made out of crystallized sugar to sweeten life for the newlyweds. 
• A brazier of burning coals sprinkled with wild rue for good health.
• Two sugar cones  which are ground together over the couple's head during the ceremony.
• A scarf or shawl to be held over the couple's head
• A cup of honey to sweeten life.
• A bowl of coins representing wealth and prosperity.
• A needle and 7 strands of colored thread to figuratively "sew up" the mother-in-law's lips from speaking unpleasant words to the bride.
• A copy of the couple's Holy Book (Bible, Avesta, Qur'an)
• A prayer carpet or prayer kit including a rosary/cross, Bible, and strand of prayer beads.
• An assortment of sweets and pastries to be shared with guests after the ceremony.

 

Sources: Beau-Coup