WEDDING SERVICES IN ITALY

Italian wedding traditions

 

Personalize your Big Day with some Italian traditions

Marriages performed overseas are always unique and romantic. To make your wedding even more special, a nice idea would be to add some of the local traditions into your dream day. 

Below you can find some of the lovely Italian traditions that you might wish to weave into your wedding....

La serenata...

The night before the wedding, the groom arranges a romantic serenade at the bride’s window. Family and friends are usually informed about the serenade and are invited to attend, but they have to keep the secret from the bride. The groom meets up with the musicians at the bride’s balcony or window and starts singing along in order to wake up the bride. 

Pre-wedding isolation...

According to tradition, the groom must not see the bride before the ceremony. He stands at the altar with his witness and waits until the Bride steps in, accompanied by her father who will then "give her away". The bride's father shakes the groom's hand, kisses his daughter, and walks back to the first row of benches to take his place next to the Bride's mother.

In some Italian regions this tradition is taken further — even the bride isn’t allowed to see herself. Once she is dressed and ready to go, they’re allowed to have a glimpse of their reflection (but only once she has taken off a glove or a shoe).

Bridal bouquet...

Traditionally in Italy, it is the mother of the groom’s job to offer the bridal bouquet. The bride chooses the floral arrangement she wants, but it is the future mother-in-law, who has to pay for it and has to ensure its safe delivery on the wedding day. Furthermore, the groom doesn't wear any buttonhole until the bride's arrival to the altar, only in that moment the bride picks up a flower from the bridal bouquet and put on groom's suit.

No white dresses...only for the bride...

The bridal wedding dress is white as a symbol of innocence and purity, with the colour being traditionally reserved only to the bride. 
Italian wedding dresses are made with precious fabrics and reflect the Italian tailoring fashion. An Italian traditional dress can be customised with special designs and accessories, according to bride’s taste. 

And the veil...

Another Southern Italian tradition concerns the veil and its length that should reflect the duration of the engagement; one metre for every year spent together.

La giarrettiera...

Especially in the southern part of Italy, it is a tradition for the bride to wear a garter. The garter dates back to the 14th century when it was thought that wearing the wisp of lace would bring the bride good luck. In Italy, the garter is taken off by the groom, in a unique moment at the end of the wedding dinner and thrown at the wedding guests.

You shouldn’t wear any gold jewellery, except for your wedding ring...

In some regions in Italy, wearing any gold jewellery other than your wedding ring can bring bad luck. 

The wedding band in Italy is called ‘fede’: this word means also “faith” in Italian. This is the strongest symbol of the bond between the bride and the groom; it represents their love, their faithfulness, and their commitment to each other.

Ring cushion...

The ring cushion is a nice and special wedding tradition from the ancient Roman ceremonies.  It is frequently carried by a junior member (family or friend) of the  bridal party, known as the ringbearer. During the process, the ringbearer carries the rings on the pillow down the aisle to the officiant.

After the ceremony...

Another nice Italian tradition is related to the moment when the married couple leaves the church and the guests throw rice – a symbol of fertility – at them. All the guests join and congratulate the new Mr & Mrs outside the wedding ceremony venue. 

Bomboniere....

At the end of the wedding day, before the guests leave, the Bride and the Groom offer small gifts to their guests to thank them. Italians call them “bomboniere”, made of confetti (sugared almonds), and printed ribbons. These are a symbol of family life. The number of confetti is very important: it should be an odd number - preferably 5 or 7, both being lucky numbers.

 

Which tradition is your favourite?