Italian Wedding Traditions...
There are so many different cultures, religions and beliefs in any one country, that it is entirely likely that your fianc�e's family is of a different background to your own. If this is the case you may be expected to follow their culture's wedding traditions. To find out more about the traditions of Italian weddings, read on.
In Italy, it is customary for the bride and groom to walk to the church together. The townspeople would also put obstacles in the bride's way to see how she reacts to different situations. Some couples would also cut a log in half with a double handled saw, showing they can work together.
A ribbon is often tied on the front of a church before an Italian wedding to show there is a couple about to �tie the knot'.
To ward off evil spirits the Italian groom carries a piece of iron in his pocket. The bride's veil is in place to protect her from jealous spirits, while tearing it is considered good luck.
After the ceremony, the couple can release white doves into the open to symbolise their love and affection for each other.
During the Italian wedding reception, the bride carries a satin bag for the guests to put money in. The bag is then given to the bride's family who would have paid for the wedding. Before the end of the reception, the bride and groom break a glass or vase together. The number of pieces it shatters into is said to represent the number of years the couple will be happily married.
During the reception, toasts are made by guests when there is a lull. The toasts are often �hurray for the newly weds' or �kiss for the bride' when the bride and groom kiss for all to see.
Guests at Italian weddings are given sugar or chocolate coated almonds which represent the bitter sweet nature of marriage. The almonds are given to the guests in bags or parcels and distributed in odd numbers with three wishing good luck for children and five wishing fidelity, love and wealth.
During the reception, the groom's tie is cut into pieces and �sold' to the guests with the couple using the money on their honeymoon.
At the end of the reception, instead of streamers and cans being tied to the newly weds' car, guests decorate it with fresh flowers to symbolise a new and happy life for the couple.
