With so many of us attending a number of weddings every year or so, it's only natural that we should want our own to be something special. Of course, every wedding is unique in one way or another, and clearly very special to the bride and groom. But if you have attended a LOT of weddings recently that were pretty interchangeable, it makes sense to want to add something memorable and individual to your big day. One effective way to do this is to take wedding traditions from other cultures and incorporate them into your ceremony or reception. This may be something you were planning on doing anyway if either you or your groom have foreign cultural origins - but even if you don't, it can be a fun way to spice up the wedding day, especially if the meanings of any traditions particularly resonate with you. Here are a few examples from across the globe that you might want to bring to your wedding.
Morocco Moroccan weddings are known around the world for being lavish, glamorous, and one big party! They can last for up to a week, with the first three days spent preparing and beautifying the bride. On the fourth day, the marriage takes place, and then the last two days are spent partying. Now, this may not be a tradition that appeals to many of us who are used to weddings being one day long at the maximum! But there are other Moroccan traditions that you can easily weave into your ceremony, should you wish to. One such example of this is the application of intricate Henna tattoos , which are said to bring good luck to the bride (although the whole bridal party will receive the temporary artwork on their hands and feet).
Even if you're not lucky enough to be getting married on a beautiful Hawaiian island, you can still bring some Aloha spirit to your big day by adopting some of the region's wedding traditions. One of the most popular ways to do so is by making leis from Alii Flowers . Leis are bands of flowers which are worn around the neck, said to symbolize love and bring good luck to the married couple. You could also give a subtle nod to Hawaiian beach culture by asking your guests to wear all white - although it's probably best to stop short of any grass skirts!
Mexico Famed for their upbeat attitude to events, weddings are certainly quite the spectacle in Mexico. Get your guests involved in the first dance by engaging in La Marcha - a traditional Mexican dance usually performed at the reception. In it, family members weave around the room in lines (usually led by a family elder) before making a bridge with their arms under which the bride and groom run, before starting their first dance. It's bound to add some hilarity to your reception and can be a great way to have some fun with your guests too.
