26. 06. 2023 Wedding traditions and customs - a recipe for a happy marriage
Are you looking for a recipe for a happy marriage? Then you should not forget about wedding traditions and customs that are supposed to bring happiness, love or even fertility to the newlyweds. So, together we will list a few of these wedding traditions, including their chronological order.
Pre-wedding traditions
The wedding day itself is preceded by pre-wedding customs. Apart from the proposal, these include the bachelorette party, the selection of the wedding dress and suit, as well as the selection of the bridesmaids' dresses and the tying of the wedding myrtle.
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The bachelorette party
The bachelorette party is usually planned by the bride and groom's closest friends. Nowadays, it is a very popular activity that can take the form of a trip to the countryside, abroad or a spa. Some couples also still observe a night of separation where they sleep separately the night before the wedding.
Bride's wedding dress
An integral part of wedding customs is the selection of the bride's wedding dress, as the wedding dress itself is also one of the decorations at the wedding. In order not to sew her way to happiness, the bride should not sew her wedding dress herself. The traditional wedding dress is white in color, which symbolizes purity, innocence and above all fidelity. Once you have the dress selected, make sure that the groom does not see it before the day of the ceremony. This is in order to ensure that the marriage does not suffer misfortune.
The veil is a part of the wedding dress. The importance of the wedding veil is mainly to ward off evil spirits that may enter the body through the nose. Nowadays, veils are not so common because of more complicated hairstyles.
Something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue
A wedding dress is often complemented by a wedding garter with blue details to keep with the custom of something blue for the bride. The color blue, like white, symbolizes fidelity, purity, and faithfulness. Something old represents leaving behind an old life. Something new, on the other hand, symbolizes a new beginning, a new chapter in life. Something borrowed for the wedding brings happiness to the marriage. Sometimes something given as a gift is also added, but this only represents a memento of that wedding day.
The groom's wedding suit
For grooms, it's much easier. In addition to a well-fitting wedding suit, it's recommended to reach for a tie. According to superstition, a bow tie at a wedding can mean that the groom will ditch the bride at the last minute.
Bridesmaids
Bridesmaids should be unmarried and their dresses should be the same shade as the bride's dress. This is because according to tradition, bridesmaids are supposed to confuse evil spirits who might want to kidnap the bride.
Nowadays, however, this tradition is increasingly being abandoned and bridesmaids are often matched in soft pastel colours or a shade in the spirit of the wedding.
Wedding myrtle
As you prepare for your upcoming wedding, don't forget the bridal myrtles that are pinned to your lapels. This simple and lovely tradition clearly communicates who is among the wedding party. The groom, groom's father and best man all have flower headbands tucked into their breast pockets.
Wedding customs and traditions at the ceremony
There are a few traditions associated with the wedding ceremony that we may observe unknowingly. So let's recall the hidden symbolism of these wedding customs as well.
The wedding motorcade
Arriving at the wedding venue, where the ceremony will take place, is accompanied by a few customs. I'm sure everyone remembers the honking of wedding cars. This noise is supposed to drive away evil spirits. As a rule, the groom is the first to arrive and the bride the last.
The petal way
Before the first glimpse of the bride, the bridesmaids arrive. Often, the bridesmaids scatter petals along the path to the altar to symbolize fertility.
Exchanging wedding rings
The wedding ring, symbolizing an endless circle, represents eternal love and fidelity. This custom will carry you through your entire marriage, reminding you not only of your wedding day, but also of your devotion and love for each other.
Wedding Sparkler
After the first newlywed kiss, you will have to make your way down the aisle through a spalirium. This is how the wedding party will see you off on your journey through life together and congratulate you on your happy marriage. In the past, grains of rice were thrown as a symbol of fertility. Nowadays, there are many alternatives, including bubbles, confetti or sparklers.
Wedding reception customs
The ceremony is followed by the wedding feast, which is accompanied by other wedding customs and traditions. Thus, the food at the wedding also plays a big role. Therefore, do not neglect planning the wedding feast.
Let us worry about it and try our wedding catering service, which includes professionalism and careful organization of the wedding according to your wishes.
Wedding Toast
The wedding toast comes before the guests arrive and are seated in turn according to the seating plan. This is where the staff greet the newlyweds, congratulate them on their marriage and bring two shot glasses. One shot glass contains slivovitz and the other contains only water. It is said that whoever chooses the slivovitz will be more inclined to drink alcohol.
Sweeping up the shards
The staff also hold a plate under the tray of shots, which they "accidentally" drop on the floor. The newlyweds are then given a shovel and a broom and have to sweep up the shards together, just as they will have to overcome any problems together. In addition, shards bring good luck.
One soup for the newlyweds
After the wedding reception is opened with a toast, usually given by the father of the bride, then the newlyweds are given a joint bib and one spoonful of soup. Whether you have a wedding menu or a wedding reception, eating the wedding soup together is meant to signify marital cooperation and equal sharing.
Cutting the wedding cake
The main dessert is then the wedding cake, which the newlyweds cut together. Whoever grabs the knife later and thus has his or her hand on top will have the upper hand in life. It is also important that the cake reaches all the wedding guests, otherwise the newlyweds could lose their luck.
Wedding cupcakes
The bride shouldn't bake the wedding cakes herself, either, as she might lack finances in the future marriage or have tearful children. Grandmothers, mothers and friends will be happy to take over the baking of the wedding cakes.
First newlywed dance
The first dance is the most beautiful moment of the evening's entertainment. The right music and love will create a pleasant and even touching atmosphere. But remember that in addition to dancing with the bride, the groom should ask his mum and mother-in-law to dance, and so should the bride ask her dad and father-in-law.
Wedding bouquet toss
An amusing, and by some dreaded, tradition, the wedding bouquet toss is not to be missed at any wedding. A group of unmarried women gather behind the bride to catch the bouquet. The woman who catches the wedding bouquet is said to be married within a year.
Nowadays, you can also see an alternative, which is to wrap the stems of the bridal bouquet with as many ribbons as there are unmarried girls. The bride stands in the middle, blindfolded, holding the bouquet in one hand and a pair of scissors in the other. The unmarried girls hold the end of the ribbon and walk around until the bride cuts their ribbon. The last one left holding her uncut ribbon gets the bridal bouquet.
Traditions and customs at a wedding for newlyweds only
The last wedding tradition is for the newlyweds only. From the wedding reception and evening entertainment, you will gradually move on to the wedding night. The wedding night itself should begin with carrying the bride over the threshold. Carrying the bride over the threshold is meant to confuse the house spirits, who might banish the bride as a stranger. And the rest of the wedding night is yours alone.
Wedding pranks
In addition to the traditions mentioned above, there are also a number of pranks that can be performed by loyal friends of the bride and groom. These can include tying a ball to the groom's ankle, putting a horsehair around the groom's shoulders, kidnapping the bride and redeeming her, or even introducing a fake bride.
As you can see, there are many wedding traditions and customs. It's up to you which ones you want to include and which ones you prefer to leave out. If you need any advice on planning your wedding, please contact us on +420 601 301 601 or email info@zamecky-catering.cz. You can also use the Castle Catering wedding catering service, where we can organise a wedding to suit you.
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