A wedding is filled with tons of traditions that are so standard, it doesn’t feel quite like a wedding without them! From the bride wearing a white dress, to exchanging wedding vows in front of your family and friends, wedding traditions make the day so special and cherished.
Today, it’s common for couples getting married to want to do something unique, for example, Christine on Selling Sunset who wore a black wedding dress. A unique element we’re seeing more often is when couples incorporate traditional wedding rituals that represent their culture or heritage. Many of these wedding rituals haven’t been as prevalent either outside the couple’s community or their popularity has simply diminished in past years. But one of these might be the perfect addition to learn about for your big day. Here are 5 wedding traditions that you’ve probably never heard of (unless it is from your own heritage)!
Tinikling Dance
Chances are you’ve seen the Twist, Cupid Shuffle, and the Wobble. However, what about traditional dances at a wedding? The Tinikling is the Philippine national dance which you’ll easily recognize if you see large sticks on the dance floor. The dance is meant to imitate the movement of a bird hopping between tree branches. In fact, it is performed at special events or weddings to express the Filipino culture.
Jumping The Broom
This tradition occurs after the wedding ceremony when the couple jumps over a broom to seal the marriage deal! Jumping over a broom is a tradition in some African-American and Celtic communities. If you’ve never seen it at a wedding, you (or your parents) may have witnessed it on the TV show, “Roots” in the late 70s. The couple simply jumps over a broom together while holding hands.
There are varying theories of where the broomstick wedding originated. However, some say it may have inspired the tradition of “carrying the bride over the threshold.” This is when you’ll see the groom carry his bride into their home for the first time after their wedding to avoid bad luck.
Log Cutting Ceremony
In German wedding tradition, the couple has to go through the log cutting ceremony. This tradition is supposed to represent the couple’s first obstacle together. By sawing through the log, the couple shows that they can get through any hard problem that life throws at them. Traditionally, it’s just supposed to be the wedded couple cutting the log. We’ve found that some families come in and move the process along. It’s symbolic in its own way because it can remind the couple that even though they have each other, they can always look to their family member for support with any obstacles they face.
Yugal
Another wedding tradition from the Filipino culture involves a cord. The cord is called the “yugal” which is draped around the couple in figure eight. This represents the infinite bond that is created by the couple through the wedding ceremony. Who puts the cord on the couple, or even makes the cord, holds significance to both of them. One thing is certain, the bond can never be broken once placed upon the couple!
The Grand March
This wedding tradition originated in Poland and spread to the Czech and Hungarian regions of Europe before making its way across the Atlantic. Now, the Grand March is a popular reception dance in western Kansas and Texas weddings. The Grand March holds a great deal of symbolism for the newlywed couple. It is also the perfect way to get all of your guests involved during the reception.
The steps to the dance as not always the same, but the general steps go as followed:
- The dance begins with the couple being led around the room in a circle. Normally the guests who have been married the longest lead. This part signifies starting life and growing up.
- The couple separate during the dance, signifying a quarrel in the relationship.
- The couple then joins back together to signify making-up.
- Then, the couple join together in rows with family and friends to signify the growing family.
- The dance then returns to single file line. This forms a snake to signify the twists and turns of life the couple with have in life.
- The couples then join together to form a bridge to which each person goes under to signify the strength of the new couples bond.
- At the end of the dance, the newlyweds dance together while the wedding party and guests form a circle around them. This signifies the support of the family in marriage.
Ready to bring your wedding traditions to life? Contact us for details on planning the perfect wedding day!
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