2010-03-03 08:00:00 by SMARTBRIDE
Wedding Advice: Combining different cultural traditions for your wedding
Are you a couple with two very different backgrounds wondering how to combine your cultural wedding traditions? If so, read on!
Today more than ever, love is colour-blind and culture-blind and multicultural weddings are on the rise!
Often when couples from different cultural or religious backgrounds decide to tie the knot there can be subtle and dramatic differences of opinion when it comes to planning the marriage ceremony.
My first piece of advice for those of you who are engaged to someone from a different cultural background is to EMBRACE IT!
Many couples tend to focus on the negative aspects of coming from different cultural backgrounds instead of celebrating these differences. If you learn to love, understand, and respect one another's differences you'll be well on your way to planning a wedding ceremony that represents you both.
Secondly, do your RESEARCH!
Surprisingly, many multicultural couples have not discussed the symbolism or meaning of the ceremonies and traditions that are important to their respective cultures. Understanding the significance of these rituals will help you determine which ones are right for you, and can help both of you determine what needs to be included on your big day.
Finally, INCORPORATE your ideas in unique ways or with small touches.
Here are just 2 examples:
- A Hindu bride may choose to have a Hindu ceremony and don a traditional bridal sari while her Baptist groom wears a formal suit.
- A Scottish groom may offer his English bride a clan sash as a familial welcoming at the ceremony, and the bride may wear a horseshoe around her wrist to encourage both good luck and fortune.
For many guests this mixing of two cultures is a unique and special experience. So be sure to remember that some guests may need help to understand the rituals and customs that they are unfamiliar with. If you do plan to incorporate complicated rituals or other traditions, be sure to use an emcee or your program to explain these events.
Happy Planning,
Crystal Adair-Benning
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About our Guest Blogger: Crystal Adair-Benning
Distinct Occasions is a proud boutique Wedding Planning firm based in Toronto, Canada, but with satellite offices in Glasgow, Scotland and soon Perth, Western Australia! Providing worldly inspired, creative, detailed, luxurious and intimate weddings, Crystal and her team will help you get the "ohhh" and "awww" for your special day.
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