How to Throw an Italian Wedding
One of the best ways to make your wedding stand out is to observe your cultural traditions. Italian weddings are rich with traditions, all done in the name of good fortune for the bride and groom and merriment of the guests. The finer points, such as the selection of specific music and food, depend on the family's region of origin, but in general, Italian weddings are fun, food-filled celebrations of the start of a couple's life together.
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Instructions
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Before And During The Ceremony
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Pick an appropriate date. Tradition holds that Sunday is the luckiest day to be married, but many Catholic churches in the United States refuse to host weddings on Sundays. Tradition also warns against marrying during the Catholic observations of Lent and Advent, and also against marrying in May and August.
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2
Observe the good-luck rituals. The groom carries a piece of iron in his pocket to ward off evil spirits, and the bride makes a small tear in her veil.
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3
Have the couple walk to church together. In the old days, the couple would walk through the streets of the village and the townsfolk would place household objects in their way as symbols of the responsibilities they will face. In more modern times, it may be more convenient to have the couple meet a short distance from the church and enter together, in front of the guests and for the cameras.
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4
Tie a ribbon at the entrance to the church. This is a symbol of the couple's new union.
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5
Have guests shower the couple with good-luck food on their way out. A popular tradition is to throw candy-covered almonds.
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6
Decorate the "getaway car." Italian tradition calls for flowers on the front of the car, rather than cans tied to the back.
At The Reception
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Start the music. Work with your DJ or wedding singer to find music by Italian composers and singers. These are great choices for dinner music, or, if you're going for a full-on traditional Italian wedding, you can play them all night. If you're going for a more contemporary feel, play any music your guests will enjoy--rock, oldies, dance club music--but weave in Italian favorites such as the tarantella, a group dance in which participants link arms and dance in a circle.
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8
Perform the "hundred years" toast. Have the best man serve drinks, and once everyone is served, toast to the couple's luck, love and health "per cent anni," or "for 100 years."
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9
Serve food in abundance. Italian weddings can incorporate a dozen or more courses; choose foods from the family's region of origin, or simply your favorite Italian dishes. Serve cake with espresso and coffee.
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10
Have the bride carry the "borsa," a satin bag in which guests place their gift envelopes. The bride can leave this bag in the care of her grandmother, or she may wear it and allow male guests to buy a dance with her.
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Encourage guests to toast. Popular toasts include "Evviva gli sposi," or "let's hear it for the newlyweds." This is best during a lull in the reception. "A kiss for the bride" is another popular toast; it's the equivalent to guests clinking their glasses.
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12
Have the couple shatter a glass. The safest way to do this is to wrap the glass in a towel and have the couple step on it. The pieces of shattered glass are a symbol for the years of happiness the couple will share.
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Tips & Warnings
Many traditions depend on the region of Italy you're representing. In northern Italian weddings, for example, it's customary for guests to cut up the groom's tie and sell its pieces, with the proceeds going toward the newlyweds.
