I know there are countless wedding traditions based on culture or religion that families pass on from generation to generation. Sadly, I will not be carrying out any tradition that stems from my Irish/Italian Catholic upbringing. My husband and I are, however, going to practice the ‘traditional’ wedding traditions so many brides and grooms have at their wedding.
*Not sleeping together or seeing one another from after the rehearsal dinner to before the ceremony
*Wedding Party Grand Entrance
*Best Man/Maid of Honor Toasts
*Cake Cutting
*Father/Bride and Mother/Groom Dance
*Bouquet Toss
*Garter Toss
*Grand Exit
After my best friend told me about the “Money Dance” she performed during her reception, I decided I wanted to research what kind of traditions Irish or Italian families might carry out. When I googled “Wedding Traditions and their Origins” I found this article that talked about an Irish tradition I would LOVE to take place:
In the early 1900’s, an Irish couple would walk to church together on their Wedding Day. If the people of their parish approved their union they would throw rice, pots, pans, brushes and other household items at the couple as they approached their church.
Unfortunately, Brandon and I are not going to see one another before the ceremony.
Some more Irish Traditions:
Irish brides used to carry a real horseshoe for good luck. (Turned up so the luck won’t run out). You can get porcelain horseshoes which most Irish brides carry these days, or one made of fabric which is worn on the wrist.
Magic Hanky: This charming custom involves having the bride carry a special hanky that with a few stitches can be turned into a christening bonnet for the first baby. With a couple of snips it can be turned back into a hanky that your child can carry on his/her wedding day.
Here are two Italian traditions I thought would be fun too!
**During the wedding receptions friends of the groom usually sneak away to play tricks on the new couple (i.e. wailing-in the door of the couple’s new home, putting itching powder in the bed).At some weddings, primarily in Northern Italy, the best man would cut the groom’s tie into little pieces. The pieces are then put onto a tray and sold to the guests. The proceeds are given to the couple to help pay for the band. It’s a good idea for the groom to bring a cheap tie in anticipation of this custom.
**Before the bride and groom retire for the night, they break a vase or a glass – the number of pieces that the vase breaks into symbolizes the number of happy years of marriage that the couple can expect.
What kinds of traditions did you/will you practice at your wedding?
Those are fun ideas.
I am doing all the ones you mentioned in the beginning.
The only unique one we have is that we are going along with traditional Hawaiian weddings and will be placing leis on each other before we exchange rings.
Dave doesn’t really have any wedding traditions (that we know of), but since I am jewish, we are doing a few traditional jewish things, like Dave is going to smash the glass during the ceremony (cause he wants to more than anything lol), and we’re going to do the Horah. Also we may have my grandfather cut the ceremonial Hallah bread when the reception starts.
But that porcelain horseshoe tradition sounds super cute!
I love this post!
We are doing most of the same things as you guys, except no garter toss…it makes me all squirmy to think about it. No idea why.
we’re both italian, so really all we have are the italian dancing/songs so far. the vase/glass idea is awesome. i’d love to hear what other people suggest!
I am half Italian and half Irish. We married last year and did the Tarentella for the Italians and Let Me Call You Sweetheart for the Irish at the reception. It was so fun!