The Traditions Of A Western Wedding

The Traditions Of A Western Wedding


For people of Eastern descent, the customs and traditions of a Western wedding may seem odd. In fact, it may appear that there are no distinct characteristics. In truth, part of the Western wedding customs includes freedom and independence to celebrate in whatever manner the bride and groom wish. However, there are a few standard customs that, although they may not be practiced at every wedding, are acknowledged as being traditional.

The traditional clothing worn by the bride is a white gown, usually floor length. The white symbolizes purity, but can be adorned with beading or sequence. This is a custom that is still very popular in Western weddings. However, many brides choose variations of the traditional style, such as short dresses or an off-white version. The groom and his party will most often wear black tuxedoes. Traditionally, these are worn with ties; however, many popular styles also have no collar with a button clasp at the neck.

Most often, the bride is walked down the aisle and “given away” by her father. This is a very old custom which is still practiced. However, as families mix and marriages sometimes happen later in life, some brides choose their sons, brothers, or step-fathers to walk them down the aisle.

Other customs of a Western wedding include the bride wearing a garter on one leg, which is removed and thrown to the guests at the end of the wedding. The bride will also throw her bouquet at the end of the wedding; the lucky girl to catch it is said to be the next married. It is also common for the wedding vehicle to be covered with shaving cream, balloons, or cans and messages to be written on the glass to show others they were just married. While the origins of these traditions are unclear, they are stringently adhered to by many in Western weddings.

There is also a rhyme which speaks of a Western wedding custom, “something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue”, which are all of the things the bride is supposed to wear to her wedding to guarantee good luck. They can be any items that fit in those categories, but all four must be worn at the time of the ceremony.

Traditionally, the bride’s parents pay for the wedding. This is probably based on the dowry customs which are no longer practiced in the West. Much like the old customs, this is steadily fading in Western weddings also.

Weird Chinese Wedding Traditions

Asian Wedding Traditions

Asian Wedding Traditions


Incorporating ethnic traditions into your wedding can create a more intimate environment for you and your family.

While we most associate the color white with wedding in this country, the color red is the color of weddings in China. Red is the color of luck and joy, and it makes perfect sense that it is such an important color for weddings. You can incorporate the red color in a variety of ways such as the tablecloth, candles, napkins, and other decorations. You may change into a red dress during the wedding reception. You may choose red wedding flowers, or your bridesmaids may wear a red dress. You can create a Chinese feel without red by dressing in a tradition Chinese dress. White is not a color used in Chinese traditional weddings. White is used at funerals, so avoid white on your invitations, decorations or bridal clothing. Do not use red ink on white paper, because white implies death and is used at funerals. Gold on reddish paper or cream color paper works well.

Chinese couples honor their ancestors with a tea ceremony. It is not only a beautiful ceremony, but it could be very educational and entertaining for your guests.

Another Asian tradition, from India, is having the brides and groom’s hands and feet painted with henna. The tradition is normally performed by a henna professional. The hand and foot henna stains the skin for up to a few weeks.

Japanese weddings include a sake ritual. It is also know as the sake sharing tradition. This ritual represents building a strong bond between the families. The sake ritual can be part of the wedding ceremony or the wedding reception. Sake cups can make great wedding favors for a Japanese wedding ceremony.

There is no law that you have to have an ethnic wedding, but it may add sentiment to your big day.



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The World’s Different Wedding Customs and Traditions

The World’s Different Wedding Customs and Traditions


While weddings are held in celebration of the union of the
couple, different cultures approach this ceremony
differently. Sure, there are some similarities there are
still subtle differences that set one culture from another.

Here are some ways different cultures celebrate their
weddings as well as some traditions that each culture
initiated.

1. Philippines

- typical weddings in the Philippines include customs such
as the bride disallowed from meeting the groom a day before
their wedding. Doing so means bad luck according to them.
Then there’s the belief that siblings cannot get married on
the same year because one of them will meet an accident if
they do.

2. Germany

- this is where the idea of having a best man is said to
have begun. In ancient Germany, some grooms kidnapped women
from other villages to make them their wives. A trusted
aide helps them do this and accompanies the groom during
the ceremony to fight off any relatives who interfere with
the ceremony.

3. China

- traditional Chinese weddings require the bride to change
three times during the ceremony! Then there’s the
requirement of colors gold and red when wrapping a gift.
They are said to symbolize wealth and happiness to the
couple.

4. Mexico

- during the reception, the couple’s guests form a
heart-shaped barrier around the couple. The newlyweds will
then do their first dance inside this heart.

5. Poland

- is where the tradition of pinning money on the newlyweds’
clothes while dancing began. It has since been practiced by
different cultures around the world.