Guest Post by Danielle Maples
One way enhance your wedding is to incorporate some of the more interesting traditions from cultures all over the world. Consider using traditions from cultures that are part of your heritage to deepen the meaning of your wedding day.
The Bermuda Moon Gate
Image via Flickr by kansasphoto
A moon gate is a special outdoor gate that is shaped like a circle and is placed in such a way that the moon fills the frame of the gate as the moon moves through the sky. In Bermuda, a moon gate is used as part of the nighttime ceremony to help bring the bride and groom luck. During the wedding, the bride and groom will walk through the gate holding hands and professing their love for each other.
Indian Marigolds
Image via Flickr by oatsy40
If you have always wanted to find a way for your wedding flowers to play a bigger part in your wedding, then try the Indian tradition of having the bride and groom exchange marigolds during the ceremony. When the ceremony is over in India, flower petals are thrown at the couple’s feet to celebrate.
The French Aisle Walk
Image via Flickr by MyFavoritePetSitter
In most North American wedding traditions, the groom is placed near the altar and made to wait for the bride to arrive. In France, the groom walks his mother up the aisle and then sees her to her seat before he stands at the altar to be married. It can be a touching way for the groom to acknowledge his mother just before he takes the plunge into wedded bliss.
Polish Dance Apron
Image via itsabrideslife.com
The wedding couple goes through considerable financial sacrifice to have the wedding they have always dreamed of. A Polish custom that will help the couple make some extra cash at the reception is to have one of the bridesmaids put on an apron and then the wedding party attendees would put money in the apron to dance with the bride. This is usually reserved for the last two or three dances of the reception. It’s a great way to get some last minute cash for that trip on a cruise line.
The Peruvian Wedding Cake
Via WeddingClan.com
In Peru, the idea of throwing the garter has been replaced by a little tradition done using the wedding cake. A Peruvian wedding cake has several ribbons that are sandwiched in between each layer of the cake. One of the ribbons has a fake wedding ring attached to it. Before the bride and groom cut the cake, each of the single girls at the reception gets to pull out one ribbon. The girl that gets the fake wedding ring is said to be the next one that will be married.
What cultural traditions will be involved in your wedding day? Share in the comments.
Danielle Maples loves putting pen to paper and fingers to the keyboard. She is currently working as a part-time freelance writer and full-time records manager. She dabbles in all things creative and when she’s not writing you can find her checking out the local music scene. Follow her on twitter @Danimaples85
