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Rich
in family values and traditions, the Italian Wedding is a joyous
celebration of love, family and food. This lengthy celebration usually
begins with a mass in the morning followed by dancing and feasting
that can last well into the early morning hours of the next day.
WEDDING TRADITIONS
Italian tradition declares Sunday marriages to be the luckiest.
On the day of the wedding, the bride is not to wear any gold, with
the exception of the wedding bands. Wearing gold during or before
the wedding is thought to bring bad luck.
In the Veneto region of Italy, the groom walks to the bride's house
and, together, he walks with the bride and the entire wedding party
to church.
In Northern Italy, the groom, rather than the bride, brings a bouquet
of flowers to the wedding. Both color and style of the bouquet are
a surprise to the bride. The bouquet is a present from the groom’s
family to the bride.
The
bride wears a veil to protect her from malignant spirits.In Southern
Italy, the couple shatters a vase or glass into many pieces at the
end of the wedding day. The number of pieces represents the number
of years they will be happily married to one another.
In traditional ceremonies, candy-covered almonds, bomboniera (confetti)
tied in mesh bags are tossed at the couple to avoid childlessness.
In the past, ornamental bags were filled with the candy-covered
almonds and sent to guests to signify the marriage.
THE RECEPTION
"Per cent'anni" (for a hundred years)
A try of sweet liquors and strong drinks greets visitors at the
reception. This gives everyone the opportunity to toast the bride
and groom. A common toast would be"Per cent'anni" (for
a hundred years).
Strongly linked with family life, food always had a strong presence
at Italian weddings.
A multi-course dinner follows the wedding ceremony and often has
up to 14 different courses. Twists of fried dough with powdered
sugar, called bow ties, and Italian wedding candy symbolize good
luck for the bride and groom.
Wedding cake is served after dinner with cups of coffee, espresso
or other beverages. |
