13 Track 13

Unit 5

Celebrations Around the World

Chapter 1

Wedding Customs

Page 81

Wedding Customs

Marriage is a part of nearly every culture in the world, but marriage traditions vary greatly from place to place.

The wedding Dress

In many countries, it is customary for the bride to wear a white dress as a symbol of her innocence. The tradition of wearing a special white dress for the wedding ceremony started over 150 years ago in 1840, when Queen Victoria married in white.

Before that, brides were all sorts of colors (even black!) and most could not afford to buy a dress that they would only wear once. Modern brides are more fortunate: dresses are still white but are now available in a variety of styles and fabrics.

Many women even have their dresses specially designed and tailored. Not all cultures celebrate with white, however.

In certain Asian countries and in the Middle East, red and orange are considered symbols of joy and happiness. In Asia it is not uncommon for the bride and groom to change clothes several times as the ceremony progresses.

The Rings

In many cultures, couples exchange rings, usually made of gold or silver, during the marriage ceremony. The circular shape of the ring is symbolic of the couple’s eternal union.

In Brazil, it is traditional to have the rings engraved with the bride’s name on the groom’s ring and vice versa.

In the United States, England, Canada and France, the wedding ring is usually worn on the third finger of the left hand because it was once believed that a vein ran directly from this finger to the heart.

But wedding and engagement rings aren’t always jewelry for the fingers. In traditional Hindu relationships, the man gives the woman a bichiya − a ring worn on the toe − as a symbol of their engagement.

Flowers

Flowers play an important role in most weddings. Roses are said to be the flowers of love, and because roses usually bloom in June (in the Northern Hemisphere), this has become the most popular month for weddings in many countries.

Ivy is also used in wedding bouquets because in early Greek times it was thought to be a sign of everlasting love. The flower bouquets of some Middle Eastern brides contain Artemisia − a bitter herb − to symbolize that the marriage will survive both good times and bad.

In Thai weddings, the mothers of the bride and groom lay flowers on the shoulders of the couple to bring happiness and luck to their marriage.

Flower garlands are also exchanged in addition to rings to represent the beauty of marriage and life.

After the wedding ceremony, it is customary in many countries for the bride to throw her bouquet into a crowd of well-wishers, usually her single female friends.

It is said that the person who catches the bouquet will be the next one to marry.

Gifts

In Chinese cultures, wedding guests give gifts of money to the newlyweds in small red envelopes. Money is also an appropriate gift at Korean and Japanese weddings.

Not all cultures, however, give money. In many Western countries such as the United Kingdom, wedding guests give the bride and groom household items that they may need for their new home.

In Russia, rather than receiving gifts, the bride and groom provide gifts to their guests. Instead. In Scotland, a week before the wedding ceremony, the bride’s mother may invite the guests to her house and show off all the wedding gifts received, unwrapped, each with a card that has the giver’s name on it.

Today, many couples choose to integrate wedding traditions from different cultures around the world. With so many interesting practices to choose from, people can create the perfect occasion on their most special day.