Here in New York, many couples are first or second generation Americans. I often encourage such brides and grooms to revisit the customs of their ancestors, to learn about innovative rituals for their wedding ceremony. The standard practices in other countries can be replicated in American weddings, but may modified as well.
I recently provided some ceremony alternatives to a bride, who wished to honor her family's Italian ancestry, without relying on Catholic rituals. Consider the following:
In Italy, little bags of almonds, known as confetti, are given to the guests after the wedding as keepsakes. The almonds, representing the sweet & bitter nature of life, should come in bags of 5 or 7 almonds, which are supposed to bring good luck. Likewise, some brides and grooms in Southern Italy break a glass at the end of the wedding day. Common wisdom says that the number of pieces that the glass shatters into represents the number of years that the couple will be happily married. The Tarantella—a stately and elegant courtship dance is commonly performed by the Bride and Groom at the reception. Also, countless Italian produced items are perfect wedding favors. Why not open a conversation with friends and relatives from other countries to learn about ceremonials flourishes from other cultures? It may be a bridge to truly connecting to another place and time.
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