Wedding Traditions from other Countries
The term “traditional” is very subjective as each family, each city, each organization and each country will have their own set of traditions. This can range from holiday traditions, party traditions, and everything else. Wedding traditions are by no means any different. There are plenty of traditions from around the world that can be applied to any wedding. However, be mindful when picking out traditions from across the world. You would not want to accidentally offend people of a certain ethnic group and have a negative news article about your wedding event.While a wedding is about the union of two people, the main ceremony along with the dinners and the reception party is a collaborative effort of family and close friends. In short, do your research first and talk with people you will be working with the planners, bridesmaids, groomsmen, ushers, and so forth. Think carefully about what traditions would be plausible and acceptable to you. The concept of borrowing wedding traditions across the world would be more applicable and appropriate to interracial and interfaith weddings.The first tradition that seems to be worth borrowing comes fromAfrica. It is in regards to the concept of divorce. Instead of resorting to the divorce of a marriage, problems are discussed with both families until solutions are found to help the marriage.
FromMorocco, there is a custom in which the bride has a ceremonial milk bath for purification, before getting her hands and feet painted in henna. For Western-style weddings, the concept of henna might not be applicable while the milk bath is seemingly more applicable. In terms of looking beautiful for the wedding, the milk bath could apply; but, maybe substitutions for milk could be used.FromIndia, there are the use of sweets, eggs, and money. Sweets symbolize having a good life, eggs symbolize fertility and being able to start a family, and money symbolizes a prosperous family. The father or the brother of the groom showers the newlyweds in flower petals.FromChina, there are many traditions that couples could borrow from. Wedding invitations given and wedding envelopes with cash received, come in the form of red envelopes. The significance of the color red is that it symbolizes love, joy and prosperity.Since it is considered bad luck for the groom and bride to see each other, one Chinese tradition worth borrowing is that the bride will go into seclusion on the day before the wedding with her closest friends. This is due to mourning the loss of family and friends. There is also theelaborate feastwhich is important at Chinese weddings.FromJapan, the bride changes into a red kimono and a western-style gown for the reception. Guests are usually expected to give envelopes with money inside. Since weddings are financially expensive, this is a custom definitely worth borrowing. Japanese weddings provide entertainment for guests such as games and karaoke.FromCentral America, there is the tradition in which children are always welcomed with open arms at the ceremony. FromMexico, there is the custom of guests forming a heart around the newlyweds as they perform their first dance together. At the reception, there is the pinata filled with candy for the children. FromPuerto Rico, there is the custom of a doll to be dressed like a bride and placed at the head of the main table.The most common wedding traditions usually come from Western customs which are practiced in many parts of the world. While there are many worth borrowing, you do not necessarily have to follow those borrowed traditions to a tee. Instead, think carefully about what traditions are worth borrowing and modify them to what suits you. Tradition is a subjective term because traditions change over time, old traditions could be obsolete for a number of years while new traditions are created. Over time, those new traditions become old and old traditions are revived.
