Cool Customs!
Want to go beyond the traditional Wedding Ceremony? Enrich your ceremony by incorporating a custom from your location. I think that doing this will create a truly unique and memorable experience for your guests.
Here are some internationally inspired rites of passage:
Bermuda - The Moon Gate
Following the ceremony, a bride and groom should walk hand in hand under one of the islands Moon Gates. A Moon Gate is a limestone archway of Chinese origin. They serve as a national symbol for Bermuda. Similar to wedding rings, the circular shape signifies unity. Couples who kiss under a moon gate are said to enjoy good luck and a long life together. Bermuda's oldest Moon Gagte is in Par-la-Ville Park. Makes for a fantastic picture too!
 |
| Photo Credit: Sascha Blackburne Photography |
In traditional Mexican weddings, a lasso symbolizes the everlasting bonds of love. Have the two mothers place the lasso in a figure-eight shape around both of your shoulders (Groom's first) to tie you together as you exchange your vows. At the end of the ceremony, the mothers then remove the lasso. The lasso is often a long rosary, but can also be made with a string of flowers, leaves or beads. You can choose any two honored guests for this ceremony, but I think having the mothers involved makes it special! Remember, white or orange symbolize fertility and happiness...hint hint....
 |
| This Lasso is DIY - the bride and her sister strung pearls together |
Spain, South America & Mexico - Gold Coins
In this ceremony, the groom gifts the bride 13 arras, 13 gold or silver coins. The coins represent tenets of marriage such as trust, commitment, respect and harmony. The coins symbolize the grooms commitment to the bride (as if he is giving her control of all his wordly possessions) as well as the couple's dedication to each contributing to the relationship. Also makes for a great picture....
Hawaii - The Leis
A bride and groom marrying in Hawaii should exchange leis at the beginning of their ceremony. The leis signify the sweetness of your love. First the bride presents a garland to the groom, which dates to when a woman left a lei on the doorstep of her chosen guy. For weddings, brides in Hawaii wear fragrant flowers like tuberose. Maile leaf is popular for grooms. The pictures below are of two of my sisters great friends - they had a beautiful intimate wedding in Hawaii and I definitely want to share more of their wedding soon! They brought a New York based photographer with them - Kat Teutsch.
 |
| Photo Credits: Kat Teutsch |
Greece - The Wedding Crowns
As your officiant to bestow you and your groom with stefana: wedding crowns. The wedding crowns can be made of any durable material like beads, Swarovski crystals, pearls, or flowers. They are joined by a white ribbon to represent unity. Signifying the nobility of marriage, they crown the bride and groom as queen and king of their home.
 |
| Photo Credit: Luster Studios |
Ireland - Handfasting
Prior to exchanging vows, join hands for the ancient Celtic tradition of handfasthing. Join right hand to right hand and left hand to left hand to make a figure eight which represents unity. Using a pretty ribbon, favorite scarf of cloth that has special meaning, the officiant ties your crossed wrists together to symbolize two individuals coming together as one.
 |
| Photo Credit: Style Me Pretty |
Scotland - Tartan Shawl
After exchanging vows, the groom (alone or together with his parents and any other relatives) sybolically welcomes the bride into his family; using a silver pin, he fastens a tartan shawl or sash (in his family colors) around the brides shoulders. If you don't have an actual tartan, consider using a family quilt or other fabric heirloom.
I love the idea of incorporating the local culture, especially if it gets guests and family members involved.
If you want to add culture to your wedding ceremony these are great ideas - but don't forget about your own culture! If you're Irish and getting married in Mexico, its perfectly acceptable to do the handfasting ceremony - just have an honored guest do the tying rather than the officiant. If you're hispanic, I love the coin ceremony in any destination, I think it's just beautiful and very touching for family members.
No comments:
Post a Comment