Wedding celebrations are a beautiful tradition of gathering two people together in matrimony to become one family. These celebratory events are a fantastic opportunity to showcase your culture and traditions. Here are three ways to represent your culture during your wedding.
Traditional Clothing
The first way to represent your culture during your wedding is by wearing traditional clothing. Many cultures have specific clothing that people will wear during a wedding ceremony to honor their background and heritage. For example, in India, the lehenga choli is the traditional wedding attire women wear when they marry. The lehenga choli’s beautiful bright colors and embroidery symbolize the vibrant Indian culture. Another example of traditional attire is the use of Hawaiian lei in wedding ceremonies. Hawaiians will preserve their wedding lei to keep it as a memory of their special day. Including traditional clothing and accessories in your wedding is a beautiful way to show pride in your culture.
Cultural Dishes
Cultural dishes are another delicious and fantastic way to include your heritage in your wedding celebration. There are all kinds of ways you can incorporate your culture’s favorite dishes and drinks into your special day. For example, a Bulgarian wedding tradition is for the marrying couple to break a loaf of bread together. You can also use your culture’s food for your main course or appetizers before the reception. You can also use your wedding cake to showcase your heritage. For example, Scandinavian countries celebrate weddings with a kransekage, a traditional almond-based wreath cake. Sharing your cultural dishes and food during your wedding is a wonderful way to bring people together and celebrate your roots.
Music and Dance
The third way you can share your cultural traditions on your wedding day is with music and dance. People around the world love to express their cultural background rhythmically. So, it’s a great idea to incorporate some traditional songs and dances into your wedding ceremony and reception. For example, you can choose a song that is important to your culture to walk down the aisle. Then, during your reception, you can perform some traditional dances that are specific to your heritage. For example, in Cajun weddings, you will play Cajun music during the reception and perform the “wedding march,” a traditional dance where the bride and groom lead the wedding party around the dance floor in a circle. Choose music and dance that is special to you and allows you to express your cultural roots.
Now that you have some ideas for including your cultural traditions in your wedding, you can start planning your own. Stay true to who you are, and don’t be afraid to share your culture and background with your friends and family on your wedding day.