Italian wedding??

Question

My family is Italian (I'm 1/2). I would like to incorporate as much Italian traditions as possible. Any ideas? Also, any ideas for an Italian theme/decorations? Where I live there are not many Italians, so I don't want people to think my wedding is wierd (for example - if I had a money bag at the reception, no one where I live would know to put money in it). I want to incorporate some traditions and decoration-type things.

Answer 1

do everything with flowers

Answer 2

Hi, I live in Italy. Here the weddings tend to be a very important occasion, especially in the south. My friends say in the south the dinner/party can last all night long if not a few days. Well, first the wedding is celebrated in a catholic church (if you are not catholic, then in your church)....put lots of flowers and try to look as beautiful as can be. Italians love to "see" what you and the others are dressed like. There should be a lot of dancing and food, food, food, food, food, and did I mention food? Italians usually go to a restaurant, but you can also do catering at the dance hall or other location. The money dance sounds really nice. Don't worry what others might think. This is your and your future-husband's wedding. Not everyone knows every tradition in the world....so, they can learn. Plus, I think it's nice that you want to incorporate your tradition into your wedding.

Answer 3

Well just from what i have seen in Italian weddings- they all vary with the exception of the food and family theme- it is all about the get together. There is tons of food, LOTS of family, and lots of dancing/drinking.

You can have either a money bag, or as many have, a "mailbox" where the guests place the cards with the money in. There are some families who give no gifts whatsoever, just money.

I say have pasta dishes, and meats. Cheese is important so make sure you have a variety. you can incoporate the colors (green red white) into the theme somehow, but you dont need to drape the walls with flags.

For decorations, use grapes, or foilage. deep, richer colors work.

Answer 4

After the wedding cake is served, have a Viennese hour (a buffet of pastries, cakes, cookies, espresso, liqueurs etc). I come from a big Italian family and we always do this. Even if the people in your area don't know of this, I guarantee they won't think it's weird. They will probably be blown away by it actually. It's also traditional for the bride to personally give away the favors (usually Jordan almonds wrapped in tulle, but it could be anything).

Answer 5

I am also half Italian and my sister wanted a small piece of Italian tradition. So she had a Cookie cake. What is is is the second cake only it's a stack of Italian cookies piled high and decorated with flowers and Jordan almonds. Jordan almonds are also traditional. So there is a little you can do with food.

Answer 6

Just have a few Italian accents like Pasta and the Italian desert table. Learn a tarantella to do as a wedding dance or have some soft Italian like Dean Martin music play as you have dinner. Ciao

Answer 7

In the Italian culture, a wedding has always been the most joyous of
occasions. Incorporating some of these traditional Italian elements into your
wedding is a great way to either pay homage to your heritage or to simply add a
touch of Italian flair to your theme. Filled with fun, festivities, and most of
all FOOD a traditional Italian wedding is always guaranteed to be great fun for
all.



• The wedding day begins with an early mass and concludes with dancing and lots
of food in the evening and into the morning.



• The month of May is to be avoided as a wedding month, as it should be reserved
for the veneration of the Virgin Mary.



• August is also an unpopular month to be married; it is thought to be bad luck
and bring sickness.



• Marriages on Sundays are thought to be the luckiest.



• Rain on the wedding day is considered lucky - “Sposa bagnata, sposa
fortunate.”



• The groom should carry a piece of iron in his pocket to ward off the evil eye



• In earlier days, the groom would bring the bouquet as a surprise for the
bride, as a gift from the grooms family to her.



• A ribbon may be tied to the front of the chapel to symbolize the bond between
the couple getting married



• Traditionally, the bride wore a veil to hide her from jealous spirits



• Tearing the veil is thought to be good luck



• Wearing gold during or before the wedding is thought to bring bad luck. The
bride should refrain from wearing gold until after the wedding.



• Drinks are served before dinner to toast the bride and groom.



• After dinner, cake is served with espresso, coffee or other beverages.



• All men may kiss the bride at the reception for good luck.



• The bride will carry a silk purse while visiting each guests to store monetary
gifts and cards



• The cookie dance - The bride and groom lead dancing guests over to the cookie
cake, where each guest will take a cookie



• Dessert tables are often common, where rather than just the wedding cake,
there will be a medley of delicious dessert to choose from



• In the past, the best man would cut the tie of the groom into pieces, then
sell them to guests. The proceeds would go to pay for the reception or
honeymoon.



• During the reception, the bride and grooms friends may sneak away to play
tricks on the couple



• The candy covered almond favor (known as confetti) was originated in Italy, as
an item to throw at the bride and groom to ensure fertility. It is important for
them to be tied in odd numbers in mesh bags, as odd numbers will bring good
luck.



• Rice or paper confetti is also traditionally thrown at the couple to symbolize
money and good fortune



• At the end of the wedding, Italians may break a vase or glass. The number of
pieces were to be the number of

years they would be married happily.



• Rather than a receiving line, it is tradition that the couple visits each
table individually before slipping away for their honeymoon



• The bride and groom will leave the wedding without opening any gifts. The
bride’s family takes on this task.

Answer 8

Have the DJ explain that stuff to folks. coming from a big italian family we do things a lot different then most folks so I understand. Are you planning on the dollar dance too? People really just do not get it usually.

Answer 9

Really good veal at the dinner, and cannoli as part of the desserts.
I liked the throwing of "confetti" (Jordan almonds, candy-coated almonds) when the couple walked in at the reception.
Do some googling - do you have any grandparents to ask about your heritage? Aunties?
Lots of good traditional music at the dance, too!