Did you know that about 1 in 4 American couples choose to have destination weddings? If you’re interested in being one of the 40% of these couples with an international destination, you’ll love an Italian wedding. The beautiful nation is known for its rich culture, delicious food, rustic architecture, and romantic vibes.
Whether you want to get married in Italy or are interested in honoring your Italian heritage, Italian wedding traditions are an awesome way to make your big day special. Read on to learn some traditions that you’ll love to partake in.
Italian Wedding Traditions for Pre-Wedding Fortune
The most interesting pre-wedding Italian tradition is called la serenata.The evening before the wedding, the groom-to-be serenades his bride a laRomeo and Juliet. He sings romantic songs, usually with instrumental accompaniment, and appears on her balcony.
If you’ve ever thought that balcony scenes in old-timey theater or modern romcoms were romantic, they have nothing on the real-life tradition! A feast also accompanies la serenata after the singing concludes. This looks pretty similar to a smaller reception- Italians love to party.
Much like in other Western countries, tradition states that the groom must not see the bride the night before the wedding. The couple must split up after la serenata.She usually spends the night at her parent’s house as she did when she was young, but it also is okay to spend the night with bridesmaids or close friends.
It’s also likely that she will choose to wear green clothes (and pajamas) at this time. Some traditions state that this is the color of good fortune. It’s fun and doesn’t create any problems, so it’s worth trying whether or not you’re superstitious.
What About the Bachelor and Bachelorette Parties?
Most couples tend to have these events on the night before the wedding in the U.S. However, this obviously can’t happen when la serenata is taking place. But what happens when you want to have stag and hen nights with your friends?
Italian bachelor and bachelorette parties tend to take place two weeks before the wedding. They consist of a feast and a night out, much like American ones tend to. This is a time to bond with those closest to you, so have fun!
Wedding Dress and Ring Etiquette
Wedding dress codes are similar to those in the rest of the Western world. The bride traditionally wears a beautiful all-white gown cut in a style that she loves.
Because white is the bridal color, no guests should wear it- it’s considered to be extremely impolite. Most guests already know this, but it can’t hurt to send out a memo to make sure that people know not to wear any white clothes.
Grooms will dress in full white-tie tuxes much like they would in American weddings. However, they also usually carry a small piece of iron in their pocket to ward off bad luck and evil spirits. While people don’t usually believe in these spirits anymore, the fun tradition has persisted as a symbol of good luck.
As for the rings, they’ll be presented to the couple in the same way that they would at American weddings. However, if they fall on the floor at any point, neither the bride nor the groom should bend to pick them up.It’s terrible luck. Have the ring bearer (or a wedding party member) do it.
The Cutting of the Tie
A word of advice for grooms: don’t get too attached to your necktie when throwing an Italian wedding. The cutting of the tie is one of the coolest and most fun Italian wedding traditions that you have to look forward to.
Basically, once everyone gets to the reception venue, the groom will take off his tie before the feasting begins. It will then be cut into tiny pieces. These pieces will be thrown out to the guests just as a bridal bouquet would be.
Guests traditionally offer up a very small amount of cash in exchange for pieces of the tie. While those that catch the pieces aren’t said to soon be married, they do get a keepsake from the wedding in the form of these bits of fabric. They then get to keep it as a reminder of an awesome day.
Delicious Reception Traditions
Unlike some other Western traditions, those who attend the wedding reception almost always wear the same clothes that they did to the wedding. This is awesome because pictures are always consistent.
Guests arrive at the reception venue before the couple does. The bride and groom will be applauded and accepted with a lot of pomp and circumstance when they do arrive. They’ll usually be served smaller appetizers while waiting.
Wedding feasts generally consist of multiple courses- sometimes there will be more than 10! At the least, there will be appetizers, a pasta dish, risotto, meat/vegetables, and desserts. These aren’t choices- they’re multiple courses, so you get them all!
Wines, liquours, and other alcohol will flow freely throughout the course of the reception. This keeps the mood light and the atmosphere fun. Guests will traditionally clink their glasses with a spoon throughout the ceremony and demand that the couple should kiss.
Start Planning Your Dream Wedding
While the wedding planning process can be a challenge, it’s easier with the help of professionals. Our experts understand the difficulties and excitements of getting ready for your big day.
We’re committed to using this knowledge to help you have a successful and memorable wedding that you’ll look back on fondly for the rest of your life.Contact us with any remaining questions about how to implement Italian wedding traditions to get started.
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