Embrace your roots! - How to make your wedding unique...

When I talk to wedding couples they often ask me where I'm from... 

Once I tell them, they are usually eager to share with me that their grandma or granddad comes from Poland, Ireland,  England, Rumania, Russia or whatever country. 

It always fascinates me to hear these stories and I have often wondered why couples don't try to embrace their roots and use some of the old wedding traditions as a homage to their ancestors?

Weddings are about leaving your old life behind and starting a new life together, so what could be more fitting than keeping some of these old traditions alive? 


Every wedding tradition has a meaningful origin. We often 'keep up with tradition' even though we often don't even know where these traditions originate from... they just have become 'standard protocol'. Some of the commonly used traditions we use nowadays do not even have a 'flattering' reason.....  



Did you know, that traditions like the groom not being allowed to see the bride before the wedding, the bride wearing a veil over her face and the dad walking his daughter down the aisle all stem from the days when marriages were arranged? 

The groom often never saw his bride until the ceremony so all these 'precautions' were taken so that the groom couldn't change his mind and make a detour if he didn't like the look of his wife to be and equally, the dad escorting the bride down the aisle prevented her from escaping if she didn't like the groom. Not exactly a 'flattering tradition', is it? 

I have often wondered why especially these traditions are still going strong even though we're living in a day and age when we pick our own partners and set our own date... On the other hand we have forgotten other traditions that are truly meaningful and beautiful.... 

2013 has seen a huge increase in 'vintage style' weddings. A trend that still seems to be going strong for this year and 2015... so why not also incorporate some of the old traditions to make your wedding even more special and unique? 

Here are a few traditions from around the world that are meaningful, fun and provide some unique photo opportunities:

CUTTING THE LOG

Origin: Europe (Austria/Germany)

The freshly married couple has to cut a log of wood together 

Meaning: 

An old custom that symbolizes teamwork and equality. Cutting the log jointly represents harmony in the marriage, attentiveness, good communication and overcoming hurdles with each other's help

This custom can also be adapted. The wedding guests can draw a heart with the couple's names on a big white cloth and block the couple's way, either as they walk out from the ceremony or when the couple enters the reception. The sheet is held up or fixed in a door frame so that the couple has to 'cut their way free'. 

Another variation is at the ceremony for all guests that sit at the aisle either side to hold a piece of ribbon so that the couple's path is blocked and they need to cut their way free.... 

BREAD & WINE

Origin: European (Polish/German) but also in Jewish and Russian traditions

During or after the ceremony the couple jointly cut or break bread, feeding each other a piece and feed each other a sip of wine. 

Religious Meaning: 

At the last supper Jesus told his disciples to eat bread and drink wine as symbols of his body and blood 

Symbolic Meaning: 

The bread symbolizes that the couple will never run out of food, which could also mean money, creative 'food' to keep their marriage interesting and so on. The feeding each other symbolizes caring for each other. The wine represents bitter sweet things and therefore sharing the good and the bad times but also as a sign to stay positive in that the glass is always half full....

WEDDING TREE

Origin: European (Holland)

Guests are given a piece of paper with a colored ribbon either before the ceremony or at the reception to write down a wish for the couple. The wishes become the 'tree's leaves'.

Meaning: 

The tree stands for a strong, solid relationship, the wishes ('leaves') for constant renewal but also for harvest (successful marriage) and blessings as well as a new family tree

You can also adapt the wishing tree by using a canvas with a tree and people 'leaf' their fingerprint and their name 

HANDFASTING

Origin:  Pagan Worldwide

Meaning: 

Symbolizes everlasting love and fidelity. 'Tying the knot' originates from hand fasting

The rope or ribbon can be made of one or various colors. 


Each color represents a different meaning:






Red:         Fertility, passion, strength, lust
Orange:   Kindness, attraction, encouragement, plenty
Yellow:    Joy, balance, confidence and charm
Green:     Fertility, prosperity, charity, finances, health
Blue:        Patience, devotion, sincerity and tranquility
Purple:    Sentimentality, spirituality, power and piety
Black:      Wisdom, vision, success and strength
White:     Peace, purity, meditation and concentration
Grey:      Balance, neutrality and compromising
Pink:      Romance, happiness, truth, unity and honor
Brown:  Grounding, earth, home and talent
Silver:   Values, creativity, inspiration and treasure
Gold:    Wealth, energy, intelligence and longevity


BREAKING THE GLASS (PLATES)

Origin: Jewish, Russian, various other countries

At the end of the ceremony Jewish tradition calls for the groom to break a thin glass wrapped in cloth with his foot. In other traditions the couple jointly smash plates and glasses and jointly tidy up 

Religious Meaning: 

In Jewish religion breaking the glass means the destruction of the Holy Temple, i.e. of the self. Before a person is born he or she and their soulmate are one. Smashing the glass breaks both in half separating them but under the chupah the two soul mates have found each other again and start their life as one soul... 

Symbolic Meaning:  

Breaking the glass/porcelain plates is symbolic for the fact that glass/porcelain is fragile and so are relationships. It acts as a reminder to the couple to always treat their relationship with great care but breaking glass also means good luck! Tidying up afterwards means that the couple works together, helps each other and trusts each other...


JUMPING THE BROOM

Origin:  African, Caribbean, Wales, Scotland

At the end of the ceremony the couple jumps over the broom. It is said whoever jumps higher will be the decision maker in the marriage...




Meaning:

All the past problems and evil spirits of the old life are swept away so that a new clean life together can start. In Wales and Scotland the broom is held like a hurdle and if the couple make it without falling or the broom dropping their marriage is meant to be, if not...
It also means jumping for joy! 

Shipping Wedding Favors to Mexico

A hot topic that has come up often in the recent weeks...

Unless you are able to pack the items in your suitcase or distribute them amongst your guests, please reconsider if you are thinking of shipping your wedding favors to Mexico. 

Unfortunately shipping costs overseas are very expensive as the only reliable way of shipping anything is via courier but even with a courier, it can get very complicated and stressful!

As customs offices are tightening up world-wide, every packet entering another country is subject to import tax, which happens to be a staggering 39% in Mexico (One of the highest import taxes in the world!). 

In most cases the package will not be delivered to the addressee, but needs to be collected from the customs office after a notice has been sent to the addressee. Although usually packets under a certain value are generally not affected, there is no guarantee that your package may not be pulled out randomly, its the luck of the draw!

Going to the customs office is very time consuming with endless queues, forms and paperwork that need to be filled in. Whoever collects your package, may charge you for the travel and time on top of the customs fee. In case of problems, especially with any items manufactured in China, the package may not be released until a proof of origin, invoices, etc. can be shown and some packages are still at customs long after the wedding has taken place.

Here is just one example: A recent bride sent 50 paper fans to her wedding coordinator at a shipping cost of 50 USD. Customs stopped the package and didn't release it because the items were manufactured in China and there was no invoice or proof of origin in the package. The bride had to pay 80 USD to the wedding coordinator, which was a bargain considering it took 4 hours in total for each visit to the customs, not even taking the administration in her office into account! The package was not released until the bride emailed all the paperwork to the wedding coordinator. The wedding coordinator was forced to return empty handed until the paperwork was sent over, return to customs again and pay 19.50 USD in import tax. A total of 149.50 USD for 50 paper fans!  

In order to avoid any complications and stress, the wisest thing to do, is to pack your wedding favors in your suitcase, or, buy them in Mexico. There are several companies who also specialize in wedding favors and if they don't have what you want, they may be able to get it if you give them sufficient notice. Ask your wedding coordinator who will help you locate what you want.