Maybe there’s a reason Italy screams romance. The stunningly beautiful European country is full of art, culture, history, welcoming people, and, yes, amore. So of course we should be stealing some notes from their wedding customs. From the best (and worst!) days to wed to how long your veil should be to—of course—what to eat and drink, here are 12 Italian wedding traditions you’ll want to incorporate into your own big day, no matter where you wed.
Stick to Sundays
For Italian weddings, Sunday is the luckiest day to wed; it signifies fertility and prosperity for the newlyweds. But stay away from Friday and Tuesday, which are said to bring the worst luck.
Don’t go for the gold
In many Italian regions, brides stay away from gold jewelry. Wearing anything gold on the day of the wedding (at least up until the ring exchange) is said to attract bad luck, so keep it silver, platinum, or anything but gold when it comes to your ceremony accessories.
The long or short of it
According to Italian tradition, your veil length should reflect the length of your engagement. At about one meter per year you’re engaged, you’re going to have to wait a looong time if you want a cathedral length veil.
Break the ice
Following the wedding ceremony, you’ll see a lot of Italian couples breaking a glass vase or plate. If you incorporate this tradition, you’ll want to go big; the number of fragments you create is said to reflect the number of years of wedded bliss you have ahead.
One last fling
Dating back to ancient Rome, tossing rice at the couple is a very old Italian tradition. And the kind of rice being flung matters, too. Arborio means eternal life, basmati brings fertility and passion, and Roma rice ensures a lifetime of prosperity.
Dress code
As white is reserved for the bride’s gown, wedding guests should avoid wearing it. Don’t wear black, either; it’s considered a color of mourning in Italy, and this is a day to celebrate.
Song and dance
One of the most fun parts of a traditional Italian wedding reception is the La Tarantella dance. It’s an old folk dance where everyone holds hands and dances in a circle as the music gets faster and faster. It’s a way of wishing the couple good luck (and it’s tons of fun).
Fun favors
Most Italian wedding guests are sent off with a small bag of sugared almonds, or the bomboniere. And the number of almonds matters, too. You’d typically gift guests with an odd number, preferably five or seven, to bring them good luck.
Cut ties
A Northern Italian wedding tradition is to have the best man cut the groom’s tie into pieces at the reception, and then the couple goes around to wedding guests auctioning off the fragments. The tie pieces bring good luck to the guests, while the money the couple receives helps them pay for the wedding and honeymoon.
Limoncello it up
Limoncello is an Italian lemon liqueur, typically served as an after-dinner aperitif. Small bottles make for tasty guest favors, and post-dinner sips are sure to enliven your dance floor.
Feast on this
Can we even talk about Italy without mentioning the food? It’s not uncommon for Italian weddings to serve a dozen courses—or more! And with so many delicious possibilities, this is quite possibly the best Italian tradition to bring to your own wedding day. Think: antipasto, salads, bread, pasta, meat, fish, pastries, and more dishes to fill everyone’s stomachs and put a smile on their faces.
Let them eat cake
he classic Italian wedding cake isn’t a multi-tiered “cake” but rather a millefoglie. (From the French for a thousand layers.) This stunning creation is made of layers of crisp pastry, topped with fresh cream, and filled with whatever flavors you love, like fresh berries or lemon curd.
Comments
Nothing Yet
Be the first one to comment!
Comment Submitted
Thank you for your comment, you will receive an email when your post is public.
Your Wed Mayhem Team