Wedding Traditions by CyperusGreetings.com

There are many wedding superstitions that occur these days in Modern American culture, including a tradition that involves a teapot. The new couple should borrow a coffeepot for the first three months and then they can purchase a new one together.  To start off on the road to happiness it’s recommended that the newly married couple should have a new broom and frying pan in their cupboard. The bride should cook the first meal for her husband at home and not be eaten at a restaurant or the in-laws house.

A wedding reception tradition occurring in the Midwestern states, involves the best man auctioning the garter instead of tossing it. Another tradition is called the wedding reel, where the guests form two lines and they pay at least a dollar to dance with the newlyweds. The money collected goes towards the newlywed’s new life together.

In Somalia, it’s common for the man to have up to four wives providing he can support them all. And, it’s normal practice for a girl to be engaged before she’s even born.

It’s traditional for the bride and groom to exchange ring’s after the couple have exchanged their wedding vows. In British tradition, the best man has the honor and responsibility of holding the rings on the wedding day. During the ceremony the best man is called upon to produce the rings in a symbolic move.

A Puerto Rican wedding tradition that occurs at the ceremony involves the priest’s blessing of a plate of coins, which he then gives to the groom to hold. After the vows are exchanged the groom gives the coins to the bride as a wedding present. The coins represent good luck and prosperity to the newlyweds. Another older tradition involves the placing of a doll at the head of the bridal table. The dole is dressed identical to the bride and is covered in charms.

Hawaiian’s have many wedding traditions dating back centuries. The Hawaii fragrant flower called the Lei is used at any joyous occasion. When the flower is used at wedding ceremonies the Lei represents the “Joy of Life”. When the bride arrives at the ceremony a Pu or conch shell is blown to announce the beginning of a very special event. The conch shell blower blows the shell in four directions East, North, West and South bringing the couple good thoughts, power and love to their relationship.

A tradition that everyone looks forward to is the throwing of the wedding garter, which takes place towards the end of the reception, following the bridal bouquet toss. The bride will wear a garter on her right leg above her knee, when seated the groom cheered on by all the males in the room will remove the garter normally with his teeth and toss it to the single men. Traditionally, the person who catches the garter is next in line to be married.

The Cherokee wedding has many interesting traditions and rituals. Firstly, the ceremony location is blessed seven days prior to the ceremony. On the wedding day the couple approaches a sacred fire, which is a living memorial to their ancestors. Next, the bride and groom are covered with blue blankets which represent weakness. The priest then removes the blankets and replaces it with a single white blanket, which symbolizes their new life together of peace and happiness. Lastly, the couple drinks together from a wedding vase which has two openings.

As slaves, African Americans were not allowed to marry and when a wedding did occur they were normally inconspicuous events. One wedding tradition that has been passed down is the “jumping of the broom”. When the couple jumps over the broom it symbolizes jumping into matrimony. The broom also had a symbolic significance. In a sign of support for her new family the bride would sweep the courtyard of the groom’s family. The broom also represents a fresh start in the marriage by the “sweeping away” of emotional and spiritual grievances.

Roman’s believe that the sharing of the first slice of wedding cake is meant to create a special bond between the couple. The wheat used to bake the cake was symbolic of fertility and a “fruitful union”, while the cake’s sweetness was thought to bring sweetness to all areas of the couple’s new life.