Cultural wedding traditions

This expert tip is from wedding planner, Christine Martin, of Pure Potential Weddings. Pure Potential caters to brides in and around K-W and Guelph. Her experience and samples of work are reviewed and featured in TheWeddingRing.ca.

Jewish tradition…

stepping on and breaking the glass after the ceremony. There is much dispute over what this tradition means, so here are some of the interpretations:
•  It represents that marriage is forever, just as the glass is forever changed, so will the couple be forever changed through the bonds of marriage.
•  It represents fruitfulness – your children will be as plentiful as the shards of glass.
•  It represents the fragility of marriage and means it must be well cared for.

Russian tradition…

Guests break champagne glasses. A relative or close friend will make a speech to the bride and groom and then everyone throws their champagne glass on the floor. It is considered good luck for the newlywed couple if glasses break when they hit the floor.

Chinese tradition…

The bride will go into seclusion with her closest friends before the wedding. This gives the bride time to mourn the loss of her family and friends.

Japanese tradition…

brides-to-be are painted pure white from head to toe to visibly declare their maiden status to the Gods. The bride then wears a white kimono and an elaborate headpiece covered with many ornaments to invite good fortune for the new couple. A white hood that is attached to the kimono is worn as a veil. This is believed to hide the horns of jealousy from the groom’s mother, who will now become the head of the family.

Ancient Turkish tradition…

the bride has all of her single girlfriends sign the bottom of her wedding shoes prior to the wedding. At the end of the wedding celebrations, whoever’s name has faded the most will be the next to marry.

Whatever traditions you choose, understanding where they come from and what they represent can help make them more special for you as a couple on your special day.

Photo courtesy of HRM Photography.