Mamma mia, you’re in for a treat! If you’re lucky enough to be invited to an Italian wedding, we’re certain you won’t be short on excellent food, drinks, venues, fun traditions, and of course, fashion. So, put on your best outfit and get out those dancing shoes because we’re taking you to Italy!
Engagement
Engagement parties aren’t a part of the Italian culture in the traditional way we know them. Italian couples take this opportunity to arrange a meeting between their families if they haven’t already been acquainted. They talk, laugh, bond, and express their desire to blend into one big, happy family!
Superstitions
As is taboo in many cultures, the groom isn’t allowed to see the bride the night before the wedding. But have you ever heard about the bride abstaining from seeing herself? That’s right, while not as common as some other superstitions, the bride isn’t supposed to look at her reflection the night before the wedding unless she removes one accessory before doing so. For good measure, the bride should wear green that night as a sign of good luck and refrain from wearing any gold besides her engagement ring. To ward off evil spirits, the groom should carry a piece of iron in his pocket. You can never have enough good omens!
La Serenata
Now here’s a fun and romantic tradition straight out of a movie scene! The night before the wedding, the groom secretly arranges for a group of musicians to serenade the bride outside of her window. The bride’s family and friends are all in on the plan and must ensure that the bride is fast asleep when the performance occurs. The night's considered successful if she awakens to the lovely melody. Talk about a real-life Romeo and Juliet moment!
Wedding Day and Ceremony
The Italian culture is so rich that there are various wedding-day traditions that differ with the type of wedding and the couple's origin. In Catholic weddings, the groom can’t see his bride before the ceremony. She meets him at the altar accompanied by her father who shakes his soon-to-be son-in-law’s hand before giving his daughter away. For civil ceremonies, the couple arrives at the venue together with their families in tow. Still, in some regions, solely the couple walks to the church together. The couple exchanges wedding bands called fede, which also means faith, in the most touching part of the ceremony. For good luck, wed on a Sunday to welcome fertility and prosperity into the marriage.
Bridal Bouquet
In most cultures, the bouquet is a mere decoration and complement to the bride’s ensemble. In Italy, it has a deeper meaning. While the bride chooses the bouquet she wants, it’s the groom who provides it as his final gift to her as a fiancé. Some grooms have it waiting for her at the altar, while others have it delivered to her on the wedding day. What a pleasant sight to see on your doorstep!
Shower of Rice
As in many cultures, following the wedding ceremony, guests clap and cheer, “Auguri!” or “Best wishes!” as they shower the newlyweds with grains of rice, or wheat if they're Sicilian, to manifest fertility and wealth for the couple. In other regions of Italy, the couple simultaneously cuts a log in half with a two-man saw to show their teamwork and partnership. Another cute alternative is to put a ribbon on the church door to display the couple’s union. Talk about tying the knot!
Reception
The couple arrives at their reception in style, often pulling up in a classic car gilded with flowers leading the way to a wonderful new life together. Upon entering the venue, they’re greeted by guests (usually the men) shouting, “Viva gli sposi,” or “Long live the couple,” and a big toast to their marriage. Throughout the night, the bride and groom make their rounds, welcoming and thanking their guests for celebrating with them. Toward the end of the night, the couple must shatter a glass. We hope they have strong arms because however many pieces it breaks into represents the number of happily-married years the pair will have together.
Music and Dancing
Time to get your steps in! Guests stand in a circle and join hands for La Tarantella, an Italian folk dance. From the Italian word for “tarantula,” tarantola, this dance was originally performed by people who’d been bitten by the spider. It was believed that the victim should dance nonstop to the townspeople’s music to survive the deadly poison. Now, dancers run clockwise, counterclockwise, and toward the center, changing direction based on the music’s tempo or DJ’s instructions, until everybody falls down. It definitely brings back some childhood memories. "Ring Around the Rosie," anyone?
Tricks and Traditions
Note to groom: Wear a tie you’re willing to spare! At some weddings, the best man cuts the groom’s tie into tiny pieces and sells them to the guests. All proceeds go to the couple. A new tie for the groom, perhaps? The tradition can also be carried out with the bride’s garter. Be sure to keep an eye out for the couple’s sneaky friends. Notice any of them missing? Odds are, they’re heading to the newlyweds’ home for some good ole fashioned pranking! They can take it easy on the couple and hide things in unexpected places or decorate their car. Or, they can go for something a bit more complex. Slip a few sea creatures into the bathtub, for instance, and have them swim with the fishes!
Food and Drinks
I mean, we don’t even have to tell you how amazing the food will be. Italian weddings can have as many as 14 food courses, so come prepared to eat your heart out! Start off with some classic hors d’oeuvres, like olives, crostini, and the finest Italian cold cuts, and make your way to delicious veal entrees and pasta galore. And, of course, we can’t forget about the drinks! It’s no secret that Italy’s home to some of the best wines in the world. If you’re wondering where to purchase your Italian wedding wine, here’s a pro tip: local vineyard > local liquor store.
Cake and Confetti
The traditional Italian wedding cake, the millefoglie, consists of cream between layers of puff pastry, sometimes coated with whipped cream, and topped with lots of berries. It can be as tall or as short as you wish. Alternatively, some couples choose a conventional cake covered in white icing to symbolize purity. As an added delight, the newlyweds give out bomboniere, little party favors, filled with sugar-coated almonds called confetti. They’re a symbol of health, wealth, fertility, and longevity and should be given in groups of five or seven for good luck. Nothing like a sweet treat with an even sweeter meaning!
Attire
Italians are always at the forefront of fashion, and that doesn’t change at a wedding! Italian wedding dresses are made of the most luxurious fabrics and are tailored to perfection. Most brides go with a classic white, but even the most traditional gowns can be customized to the bride’s liking. As for the guests, the attire is typically chosen to match the ceremony venue. At a Catholic church, for instance, it’s customary to dress more modestly, so consider bringing a shawl. It’s no surprise that guests are forbidden from wearing white. More surprising, however, is that this rule sometimes still applies if the bride chooses a non-white dress. Different people have different requests, so be sure to double-check the dress code in the invite or ask the couple directly.