Cultural Wedding Traditions Revealed!

Jumping the broom, breaking of the glass, throwing rice!  You have seen and heard about them all but do you really know what they mean and where they derived from?  Throughout my ten years of wedding planning experience, I have pretty much seen it all.  Always my favorite part of a wedding, cultural and religious rituals intrigue me.  So, I’m sharing the most common wedding traditions both culturally and religiously so you can stop guessing.

Enjoy and happy planning!

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Breaking the glass in the Jewish faith symbolizes “the fragility of our relationship and reminds us that we must treat our relationship with special care. This custom was also incorporated into the ceremony to remind everyone that even at the height of personal joy, we must, nevertheless, remember the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem. On a lighter note, thought by some to be the last time the groom ever gets to put his foot down.”  – courtesy of www.interfaithfamily.com

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 The Chinese lantern release symbolizes good luck and prosperity!

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This African American tradition symbolizes jumping into your new life together.  Sometimes described as sweeping away the old and welcoming the new!

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In Ireland, Add a sprig of English lavender; it symbolizes love and devotion. And herbs stand for the bride’s fidelity to her new husband. Another one of the most popular wedding flowers in Ireland is the Bells of Ireland. – courtesy of www.bridalguide.com

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An American tradition meant to bring prosperity and fertility by showering the couple with rice!

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The Hindu tradition of the bride wearing a sari for all or part of the wedding day is one of my favorites!  So beautiful and did you know that each region of India has a distinctive style of sari?

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The Chinese tea ceremony is traditionally held the morning of the wedding at the groom’s home.  This is meant to give the two families the opportunity to get to know one another!