So, you've decided that Italy is where you want to get married, you've consulted our guide to all of the things you need to know, steps you need to take, and documents you need to get married in Italy, and you have found a vacation rental in Italy. Now, all that remains is to plan the details and look forward to the big day. Seeing as how you are intending on getting married in Italy, you might also want to incorporate some Italian traditions and elements into your wedding. As you might imagine, there are lots of unique wedding traditions in Italy and they are sure to enrich your wedding and make it all the more special and memorable. Here are some of the traditions that you might want to know about and incorporate into your own wedding in Italy...
1. La Serenata
Perhaps not for everyone, this theatrical event takes place the night before the wedding when the groom arranges a serenade under the window of his bride. While others may know, it is kept a secret from the bride and she is awakened by the sound of musicians and her groom singing downstairs. Usually involving fun, music, a buffet, and a festive atmosphere, it is a uniquely Italian and somewhat Romeo and Juliet-esque tradition.
1. La Serenata
Perhaps not for everyone, this theatrical event takes place the night before the wedding when the groom arranges a serenade under the window of his bride. While others may know, it is kept a secret from the bride and she is awakened by the sound of musicians and her groom singing downstairs. Usually involving fun, music, a buffet, and a festive atmosphere, it is a uniquely Italian and somewhat Romeo and Juliet-esque tradition.
2. Good Luck
There are lots of different unique traditions for ensuring luck on one's wedding day all around the world, in Italy, this means that the groom should carry a small piece of iron in his pocket and the bride should make a small rip in her veil.
3. The Dress
Similarly to common etiquette in many other countries where brides traditionally wear white, guests should not wear white, even if the bride is wearing another colour. Additionally, while it is normally the groom that is not allowed to see the bride in her dress before the wedding, the bride cannot do so in Italy unless she removes a shoe, earring, or glove.
4. The Wedding Date
It is a bad idea to hold an Italian wedding on a Friday, as this is seen as the day that evil spirits are created and will bring bad luck. Preferably, one should get married on a Sunday, which signifies fertility and prosperity and is seen as lucky.
There are lots of different unique traditions for ensuring luck on one's wedding day all around the world, in Italy, this means that the groom should carry a small piece of iron in his pocket and the bride should make a small rip in her veil.
3. The Dress
Similarly to common etiquette in many other countries where brides traditionally wear white, guests should not wear white, even if the bride is wearing another colour. Additionally, while it is normally the groom that is not allowed to see the bride in her dress before the wedding, the bride cannot do so in Italy unless she removes a shoe, earring, or glove.
4. The Wedding Date
It is a bad idea to hold an Italian wedding on a Friday, as this is seen as the day that evil spirits are created and will bring bad luck. Preferably, one should get married on a Sunday, which signifies fertility and prosperity and is seen as lucky.
5. Bomboniere
Bomboniere are wedding favours that are displayed on a sweet table at the end of the wedding meal and are given to guests. They usually contain a small gift, confetti (which is actually not paper but sugared almonds in Italy), and printed ribbons. The number of confetti included in the bomboniere should be an odd number, preferably five or seven, as this is said to ensure good luck.
6. Rice Shower
Instead of paper confetti, newlyweds departing the church after the wedding ceremony are actually, showered in rice by their guests. This symbolises fertility.
7. The Bouquet
In Italy, the bouquet is seen as the groom's final gift to his girlfriend before she becomes his wife and while the bride may choose an arrangement that she wants, the groom must foot the bill.
Bomboniere are wedding favours that are displayed on a sweet table at the end of the wedding meal and are given to guests. They usually contain a small gift, confetti (which is actually not paper but sugared almonds in Italy), and printed ribbons. The number of confetti included in the bomboniere should be an odd number, preferably five or seven, as this is said to ensure good luck.
6. Rice Shower
Instead of paper confetti, newlyweds departing the church after the wedding ceremony are actually, showered in rice by their guests. This symbolises fertility.
7. The Bouquet
In Italy, the bouquet is seen as the groom's final gift to his girlfriend before she becomes his wife and while the bride may choose an arrangement that she wants, the groom must foot the bill.
8. The Garter & The Tie
In parts of Southern Italy, it is traditional for the bride to wear a garter, which is removed by the groom at the end of the wedding dinner and thrown to the wedding guests. If the Bride isn’t wearing a garter, her right shoe is used as a substitute and thrown to the crowd instead. The groom's tie, meanwhile is cut into lots of pieces and sold to wedding guests by the groomsmen, with the money collected going towards the wedding expenses.
9. Breaking Things For Good Luck
In some regions, another tradition sees the couple break a glass vase, with the number of broken fragments symbolises how many happy years of marriage that they can expect to have ahead of them.
In parts of Southern Italy, it is traditional for the bride to wear a garter, which is removed by the groom at the end of the wedding dinner and thrown to the wedding guests. If the Bride isn’t wearing a garter, her right shoe is used as a substitute and thrown to the crowd instead. The groom's tie, meanwhile is cut into lots of pieces and sold to wedding guests by the groomsmen, with the money collected going towards the wedding expenses.
9. Breaking Things For Good Luck
In some regions, another tradition sees the couple break a glass vase, with the number of broken fragments symbolises how many happy years of marriage that they can expect to have ahead of them.
10. The First Dance
During the couple’s first dance, guests traditionally hold up colourful streamers that are attached to the bride and groom’s hands as they waltz, and then wrap the two up in the streamers, along with their affection and fond wishes, as they dance.
Now that you know about them, which of these traditions will you be incorporating? Pick the ones that suit you best and enjoy a wonderful wedding experience in Italy!
During the couple’s first dance, guests traditionally hold up colourful streamers that are attached to the bride and groom’s hands as they waltz, and then wrap the two up in the streamers, along with their affection and fond wishes, as they dance.
Now that you know about them, which of these traditions will you be incorporating? Pick the ones that suit you best and enjoy a wonderful wedding experience in Italy!
