Ethnic Wedding Traditions

Weddings and the way they are conducted, vary greatly from one culture to another and from one religion to another. Many couples who don’t practice a religion seem to want a religious or ethnic wedding ceremony. Here are a few wedding traditions from various cultures. If you find a tradition here that you feel has meaning for you feel free to adapt it for your wedding, without demeaning the culture it came from.

Chinese - During a Chinese wedding ceremony, the couple drink from goblets of wine and honey. The bride is fed jujubes, a date like fruit, to increase the chance of having a son in the near future.

Muslims – a Muslim wedding does not take place in a mosque as one might expect but in the office of an Islamic magistrate, and in the presence of three male witnesses. The contract is made between the groom and the brides father or closest male relative, with the girl’s consent. The groom is required to give the bride, money gold and gifts to insure her future. When all of this is completed the papers are signed and the couple is now married. The bride then returns to her parent’s home to get ready for the reception.

African-American – Many African-American couple today are opting for traditional east African wedding ceremonies but most have an American Wedding. However more and More couples are incorporating the “jumping the broom” ritual into their weddings. This practice originated during the era of slavery when slaves were forbidden to marry. Jumping the Broom, was a way of expressing their commitment to one another. Brooms were used in African homes to sweep evil away from the home and family. Some people believe that the ritual may have been a way of rejecting the evil that forbade their union.

Jewish - There are three different branches within Judaism, Orthodox, Conservative and Reformed. Orthodox grooms “Veil” their brides in a ceremony before the actual wedding to signify that they are betrothed. Then the groom signs the contract, called the Ketubah, a beautifully decorated document which details what the groom promises to provide the bride. Both men and women have to have their heads covered. The ceremony takes place under a canopy. After the vows are said, the Orthodox groom places a plain gold band on the ring finger of his bride’s right hand. The reformed bride wears her ring on the left hand. The Contract is read and the ceremony ends with the Seven Blessings. The Groom breaks a glass with his heel to remind the congregation of the Destruction of the Temple and other catastrophes that have befallen the Jewish people.

Native American There are many Native American tribes while some wedding traditions are shared by several tribes, some are unique to just individual tribes. We will only go into a few here.

Northern California Traditions -
A man of low social standing would pay only half the bride price and then move into his in-laws home and be under the rule of the brides father. The Bride’s family would allow this because they needed another man in the family.

Jewelry is considered a shield against evil and both bride and groom wear turquoise and silver jewelry at the wedding.

Hopi Tradition - Either the male or the female may propose, they do it by presenting food gifts. No marriage between members of the nuclear family are permitted.

Every culture has its own wedding traditions and they deserve to respected. Many young couple today are choosing to incorporate the traditions of their ancestors rejected by their parents and grandparents in an effort to become "“more American".

Source : http://ezinearticles.com/?Ethnic-Wedding-Traditions&id=125164

12 American Wedding Practices Couples Must Know

America - "land of the free". This is a country where liberation in all senses of the word forms the cornerstone of society. Americans live their lives where they have the freedom of choice as to what to do, where to live and who to love. And unlike so many other people throughout the world, Americans are not shackled by centuries of traditions that are still adhered to despite their lack of relevance in modern-day society. There is, however, one area in which tradition still plays an integral part and that is in the area of weddings. The American wedding is a combination of tradition interspersed with a distinctive American flavour and it is these uniquely American wedding practices that set the American wedding apart.

1. Popping the question
More and more, couples are attempting to make their marriage proposal as unique and unforgettable as possible. As there are no specific traditions regarding the actual act of becoming engaged, couples are more inclined to first become engaged and then inform their respective parents of their engagement.

2. Making it official
Although not a requirement of engagement, many couples choose to host an engagement party. The party is generally not as formal or lavish as a wedding reception and can be a dinner party, a luncheon or a cocktail party, dependant on the requirements of the couple. For many couples who have financial constraints, the engagement party may include a number of people who will not be invited to the wedding, but with whom they wish to celebrate their pending nuptials.

3. Showered with gifts
American wedding practices, more often than not, involve a bridal shower. This event is generally organised by the maid of honor and the bridesmaids and, along with the bride, all the female guests who will be attending the wedding are invited. It is often common practise that the groomsmen organise a bachelor's party for the groom, which is often held the night before the wedding. It is obviously advisable for the groom to refrain from overindulging in alcohol and running the risk of spoiling his wedding day.

4. Coming or not
A general guideline regarding the timeframes during wedding preparations, is that the invitations should be dispatched around four to six weeks prior to the wedding. One of the most efficient American wedding practices is the inclusion with the invitation, of a response card. This card is returned to the bridal couple to inform them whether or not a guest has accepted or declined the invitation to the wedding.

5. Try, try and try again
In preparation for the big day, most couples have a rehearsal of the wedding several days prior to the main event. This rehearsal usually includes all members of the bridal party and a rehearsal dinner is then hosted by the groom's parents thereafter.

6. Food, glorious food
An American wedding practice that is not always adhered to, is that of a bridal luncheon, hosted by the bride for her attendants on the wedding day. For most brides, however, time constraints render this impossible. Should he so choose, the groom may host a dinner attended by his groomsmen.

7. Keeping the faith
Despite a lack of religious observance, many couples still opt for a religious wedding ceremony. For inter-faith couples, however, the choice of ceremony may prove to be difficult.

8. Omens and portents
Although many people profess not to be superstitious, it is still a fundamental belief for many that it is bad luck for the groom to see his bride at any stage prior to her walking up the aisle.

9. Aiding and abetting
American wedding practices dictate that the groom, accompanied by his groomsmen, make use of the side door to enter the church. The bride, accompanied by her father, walks down the aisle to join her groom at the front of the church. With so many families these days that are no longer in tact, it is not uncommon for a bride to be escorted by both her father and her stepfather as she walks down the aisle.

10. Wining and dining
At a formal reception, a bridal table is usually placed as a focal point. The bride and groom, their parents and the balance of the bridal party are seated at this table. Guests' appearance is greeted with a welcome drink, while they await the arrival of the wedding party.

11. 'Tis better to give than to receive
In the past, guests were left to their own devices with regard to the selection of wedding gifts. Modern day American wedding practices entail the bridal couple registering for gifts at one or more stores for gifts within a specific price range. This ensures that wedding guests select those gifts that the couple have selected, which is easier for the guests and more practical for the bridal couple.

12. Manners maketh man and woman
Although a verbal "thank you" may convey gratitude to the giver of an engagement or wedding gift, it is far more preferable that the bridal couple send a personalised thank you note. This should be done timely - within two weeks.

These American wedding practices are followed by a large number of bridal couples, who have specifically elected to have a more traditional wedding. Nowadays, however, many people are opting for more unconventional weddings which flout tradition. Whichever type of wedding a couple decide on, one thing remains clear - American's do still believe in the fairytale ending of "'til death do us part."

Source : http://ezinearticles.com/?12-American-Wedding-Practices-Couples-Must-Know&id=1661752