Wedding Customs Around the World - Italy
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Italian wedding customs are among the oldest in the world, dating back to ancient Rome, and many matrimonial traditions around the world have their roots in Italy.
In Italy it is customary for a young man to serenade his beloved before proposing marriage, and diamond engagement rings are given because diamonds are believed to be created by the flames of love.
The bride-to-be should wear green the night before the wedding, and the tradition of something blue is often replaced by something green.
Italians love jewellery, but on the day of the wedding, the bride is not supposed to wear any gold until the groom gives her the wedding ring, as it will bring bad luck. Veils are worn to protect the bride from evil spirits, but tearing the veil is considered good luck.
While the groom waits in front of the church for the bride to arrive, his best friends tease him about the bride not turning up. The groom should carry a piece of iron ore in his pocket on his wedding day to ward off the evil eye
In Northern Italy, the groom brings the bouquet of flowers to the wedding, and the colour of the bouquet is a surprise to the bride. This represents a present from the grooms family to the bride.
All the men at the reception kiss the bride for good luck. The bride carries a satin bag (la borsa) in which guests can place money. The money helps toward the expenses of the wedding which is financed by the bride's family. At some weddings the groom's tie is cut into little pieces that are sold to the guests. The proceeds are given to the couple to help pay for the honeymoon.
Italian weddings regard food as an important part of the celebration and it is often the focal point of the festivities as it brings together the friends and relatives of both families.
The new bride and groom break a vase or a glass and the number of pieces represents the number of happy years of marriage that the couple can expect.
The tarantella circle dance is a tradition at Italian weddings
Religious reasons forbid marriage during Lent and Advent, and weddings are avoided in the months of May and August. May is reserved for the veneration of the Virgin Mary, and August is thought to invite bad luck and sickness. Sunday is the luckiest day for a wedding, and it is a good omen if it rains!