If you are into weddings, and then into Italian wedding traditions, this article is for you as today we will be learning about it.
By now, you must know that Italians are really superstitious. Superstitions come along with a number of rituals to avoid:
sfiga (bad luck), malocchio(evil eye), or, instead, to attract buona fortuna (good luck).
Keep in mind, this article mixes two typically Italian topics: rituals and weddings.
SOME ITALIAN WEDDING TRADITIONS:
1. BOMBONIERE AND CONFETTI: FOR WEDDINGS AND SO MANY OTHER EVENTS
To begin with, we need to mention one of the Italian wedding customs, which is the bomboniera and confetti.
A bomboniera is a small, fragrant candy box given as a gift.
It is called bomboniera because it contains candy known as bon bon or confetti, which is almond wrapped in a white-colored sugary coating.
REMEMBER:
So, be careful because the Italian word confetti is a false friend!
Actually, Bomboniere is not given only during weddings but, when this is the case, almonds come in white (colors vary depending on the reason for the celebration).
2. MUSIC FOR A BRIDE’S EARS
The night before the wedding, we must count among other Italian wedding traditions the serenade for the bride.
It will usually be a serene but enjoyable piece of music.
The name comes from the Italian serenata, which stems from sera (evening).
The popular imagery wants the bride to be honored by the serenader as she is getting moon bathed on her balcony.
3. NOW YOU DON’T SEE ME…
Very importantly, the groom must not by any means see the bride’s gown before the wedding ceremony, as it will bring bad luck.
Based on what we see in movies from countries different than Italy, it seems to be a custom that has been handed down to other cultures.
4. WEDDING DRESSES AND THINGS FOR THE BRIDE TO WEAR
One of the Italian wedding traditions that is also well-known and practiced by non-Italians is for the bride to wear something old, something new, something given, something borrowed, and something blue.
Of course, it has to do with bringing good luck and keeping family lines alive, as something old and something borrowed may be an object that has been passed from family member to family member over decades and centuries.
Blue means purity and fidelity.
5. NÉ DI VENERE, NÉ DI MARTE NON SI SPOSA NÉ SI PARTE, NÉ SI DÀ PRINCIPIO ALL’ARTE
In Italy people say Né di venere, né di marte non si sposa né si parte, né si dà principio all’arte.
This means that you must avoid Tuesdays and Fridays to get married, go for a trip or start new businesses.
Interestingly enough, Tuesdays (in Italian, martedì, Mars’day) and Fridays (venerdì, Venus’day) are the quintessential mythological lovers, whose tumultuous romance made them rather infamous.
So, this might mean Italians appreciate a passionate time as fiancés, but waters should rather be quiet for marriage purposes.
Some say Fridays are the day when evil spirits manifest, and that’s like a lot if you keep in mind that paying the mutuo (the house’s mortgage) is ahead of the way.
Anyway, the preferred day for weddings in Italy is Sundays.
6. (DON’T) BE LATE
For some reason, brides tend to make it late to their own wedding. This is a well-known tradition and no one contests it.
REMEMBER:
Grooms can risk injury and even death if they dare arrive late or give a no-show.
7. FLOWERS THAT SCHEDULE
The bride usually holds a flower bouquet.
Indeed, It’s one of the most expected Italian wedding rituals is the moment when the bride, already married, throws her bouquet over her shoulder to her backside.
She is not supposed to toss it to anyone in specific and tradition has it that the woman who grabs the bouquet will be the next to get married.
It is now uncommon that many girls literally flee the scene at this moment, as they may not want to risk their independence.
8. OFF WITH THE GARTER!
Men are not excluded from this curious scheduling of future weddings:
the bride’s wedding garter was usually taken off the bride’s leg (she will usually wear it on her right leg, but there is no limitation in this regard) by one of the male guests.
Since this could have been a little embarrassing (for both the bride and the guest), it has been established that the bride removes it herself and throws it over to a group of gathered men.
The lucky one who receives it will be the groom at the next wedding.
9. AN OFFER YOU CAN’T REFUSE
In the past, along with the garter ritual, there was another special tradition:
Accordingly, the groom’s necktie was cut to pieces, which were subsequently sold among the wedding’s attendees.
Apparently, this ritual remains in Southern Italy. For this purpose, the proceedings cover the wedding’s expenses, so you better be prepared and generous.
10. RICE & ROSES
Certainly, it is customary to throw rice or rose petals at the newlyweds when they are leaving the church or the place where the wedding ceremony took place.
This symbolizes prosperity for them, and we know that rice will not be absent from their shelves. Or maybes it will…
11. EVVIVA GLI SPOSI! – HOORAY FOR THE NEWLYWEDS!
Another practice is to garnish the car’s side rear mirror with a white laced ribbon.
Upon the ceremony and the rice/petal throwing at the threshold of the wedding place. Besides, guests will drive their cars in a parade as they honk their claxons.
Here are some of the Italian wedding traditions. After all, rest assured there are far more than the main ones mentioned here.
We hope you will blend in with your Italian fellows if you are ever blessed enough to attend one of these ceremonies in such a romantic place as Italy.
You will never forget the experience.