Popular Asian Wedding Traditions

Popular Asian Wedding Traditions

An Asian wedding is as colorful as the festivities this region is popular for. Asia is very respectful of its traditions and customs. And while there are many Western cultural influences already, during special occasions such as weddings, the people pay homage to the meaningful and colorful traditions of their nation. Here are some popular Asian wedding traditions that reflect the heritage of each country.
Japan - Wedding celebrations in Japan are very much filled with veneration and wishes of blessing to the couple. Traditionally, as the bride and groom's families enter the ceremonial hall, they bring offerings of fruit, salt, and water for the couple. These are the items that they associate with wealth and good fortune. They also offer sake or rice water to the ceremony. The wedding color for the traditional Japanese ceremony is purple. The bride wears a purple dress or kimono and is also usually adorned with images of purple iris flowers.
China - It is customary for the groom to give a whole roast pig to the bride's family. This serves as a good engagement gift from the groom to the bride's family. This is aside from the other gifts that the groom is expected to give to the bride and her family. The wedding color for the traditional Chinese wedding is red. This is the color that they associate with luck. The bright red gown of the bride is also usually adorned with images that depict good luck, fortune, and wealth. These symbols are golden phoenixes and peonies. Towards the end of the reception, firecrackers are being shot and are intended to drive away evil spirits that may harm the couple.
Philippines - Called 'pamamanhikan', the groom-to-be with his family visits the home of the bride at least six months before the wedding to formally ask for the bride's hand for marriage. This is the opportunity for both the bride and groom to discuss their plans for the future with their families, and the families in turn can give words of advice.
Korea - On the night before the wedding, it is customary for the groom to journey to the house of his bride using a lantern. The use of the lantern is very prominent in Korean culture, and this journey of the groom is intended to glorify this Korean tradition through their union in marriage. The groom also brings with him a chest full of gifts for the bride and her family.
In some parts of the ceremony and reception, there are other traditions that are not just interesting but meaningful as well. These traditions are intended to bring nothing but good fortune for the couple. While there are changes or infusions of these traditions, the essence of the event remains the same. Weddings are not just unions of two people, but they are also ways for the bride and groom to pay homage to their family, to their country, and to their culture. Asian weddings are not just filled with fun and joy, but also with good wishes and respect.

Guyanese Wedding Traditions

Guyanese Wedding Traditions

Guyana is a nation state located on the mainland of South America. English is the official language. In addition, Amerindian languages like Arawak, Macushi, Akawaio and Wai-Wai are spoken. A small minority speaks Guyanese Creole, which is English with African-Indian dialects and syntax. There is no standardized grammar in Guyana. In Guyana wedding celebrations, the African heritage can be seen. This is especially the case during the Black History Month and the anniversary of Emancipation. However, this seemingly rich cultural heritage has a range of misconceptions and a degree of superficiality.
Their significance from an African setting has a much wider meaning since these are seen as artistic performances or as cultural shows that offer theatrical performances, with a variety of dance, music and drama. Thus, these and other celebrations are seen as artistic exhibitions that are never taken seriously unlike Toronto weddings. They do not cover the ways of people's lives in their clothing, agriculture or manners. Cultural traditions have faded drastically and many people are now unaware of the symbolism where these are displayed.
Just like nuptials in Toronto, cuisines are a necessity. It is common to have Guyana cuisines in the weddings. One of the Guyana delicacies is the pepper pot. The dish has been around for generations and many are fond of it. It is therefore no surprise that it forms part of the Guyana wedding traditions. The dish is served with crispy cassava bread. Duck curry is another food common tradition in Guyana weddings. In addition, one may find fried rice, puri and chowmein being served at the events. Just like in Toronto, a traditional wedding in Guyana will usually be done in a church. Alternatively, it can also be done at home. A home marriage ceremony is usually done by Guyanas who live far or outside Guyana in order to give them the freedom to enjoy an authentic Guyana environment. A backyard will usually do it.
After meals, guests are invited to participate in Guyana dances. Guyana music has maintained traditional elements from Africa, India and Europe and this mix of native elements has become important in influencing Caribbean, Brazilian and American music. Just like in Toronto, popular musicals will usually be played on wedding ceremonies while the Guyana couple dances. However, recently many Guyana weddings have hired live bands to play traditional songs. These bands use traditional woodwinds, prominent horns and other instruments that have been replaced by stringed instruments.
Many bands in Guyana are talented enough to entertain the audience with authentic Guyana traditional music. One of the most popular music in Guyana is Calypso. This type of music is played in a satirical lyrically oriented style in wedding celebrations. It will usually be accompanied by traditional musical instruments like sitar, harmonium, dholak, tabla, dhantal and tassa drums. Most of this music can also be based from Hindu songs called filmi or bhajans. One of the traditions that have remained is called tan singing, which is a unique singing style found among native Guyanese of the Indian community. Evidently, Guyanese wedding traditions have lost much of their authenticity, but they continue to be unique celebrations in our current world.

Unique Wedding Traditions

Unique Wedding Traditions

No matter what part of the world you are in, weddings are a monumental and joyous occasion as they celebrate the union of two people, their hearts, souls, even families into one. While all the occasions are full of wonder and amazement, there are several differences in the customs and traditions we see all over the world.
Asian Traditions
In China, the traditional wedding gown is bright red in color as this symbolizes luck for the new couple. The bridal gowns are often embellished with things such as chrysanthemums and peonies as these symbolize wealth and good fortune. The groom typically wears a long black coat with a dragon on it. Fireworks are displayed that make loud noises, to ward away evil spirits and energies.
In Japan, the bride wears a purple kimono as purple is the color of love. It is typically very elaborate and features many purple iris flowers. On her wedding day, she is painted white, all over her body, to show the Gods her status as a maiden.
In Indonesia, the reception may have 1,000 guests or more, which all must be personally greeted by the bride and groom before the festivities can start.
South American Traditions
In Argentina, the groom's mother and the bride's father walk them down the aisle and remain with them throughout the ceremony in place of the traditional Maid of Honor and Best Man. The vows are exchanged at engagement, rather than during the wedding.
In Chile, rings are exchanged at engagement. The couple wears them on their right hands until the vows are exchanged in the wedding ceremony, at which point the rings are switched over to the left hand.
In Venezuela, the groom must ask for permission from the bride's father before he can propose. Two weeks before the religious ceremony takes place, a civil ceremony happens where the couple is officially married. Though there is a reception for both, the reception is larger for the religious ceremony.
North American Traditions
In parts of Canada, the groom and all his close friends and family members will meet the bride at her home. Then, together they will travel to the Church in a procession of vehicles with the bride's parents. Some vehicles may be decorated in celebration of the wedding, and some guests may honk horns and yell out the window.
In the United States, it is customary to send invitations to the guests some months before the wedding ceremony takes place. These invitations are usually hand crafted and ornate, such as letterpress invitations. The guests respond to the invitations which then allows the bride and groom to appropriate plan for the number of guests in attendance.
In Mexico, engaged couples get sponsored. Traditionally, the couple's godparents act as "padrinos" or sponsors of the wedding. They serve as mentors to the bride and groom throughout the engagement, and throughout the course of the marriage. The padrinos are honored with a special place in the wedding program. They may offer the couple a Rosary and Bible during the wedding.
Regardless of the traditions that you will practice during your joyous occasion, make Page Stationery a part of your celebration. With over a half century of experience in the letterpress industry, we bring the most elegant letterpress invitations to our clients. A wedding invitation is more than just a piece of paper. Many become treasured heirlooms. Trust Page Stationery for your wedding invitation needs.

Caribbean Wedding Traditions

Caribbean Wedding Traditions

Weddings in the Caribbean islands sometimes borrow from American wedding traditions, but for the most part, they carry a distinct flavor all their own. For this reason, many couples come to the Caribbean islands from all corners of the globe to be married. The unique blend of European and African cultures on the islands lends to some very distinctive traditions that generally are not seen elsewhere. The traditions vary between the different islands, but most of them revolve around the same basic features. Any couple journeying from other countries to be married in the Caribbean should be prepared to participate in Caribbean traditions.
Traditionally, Caribbean Wedding invitations are sent by word-of-mouth, and only a few very special guests actually receive written invitations. However, the weddings are not as formal as in other cultures and just about any person who shows up is welcome to join in the celebration, even if they were not invited. It is common for the bride and groom to both dress in their finest clothing and walk from one of their houses to the church as everyone from the area lines up along the street to view and comment on their apparel, communicating whether they approve or disapprove. As the couple begins their walk to the church, the priest will ring the church bell to announce the wedding to the entire village.
Much like American tradition, the father of the bride, or sometimes both parents, escort the veiled bride down the aisle. The groom does not have a best man, although sometimes the bride will have a maid of honor. Since the main religion of the Caribbean islands is Roman Catholicism, the ceremony consists of elements of Catholic, Mayan, and African culture. At the end of the ceremony, the groom will lift the veil of his new wife and kiss her while the crowd looks on and celebrates.
Caribbean Wedding receptions often last through the entire night, while guests drink rum punch and ginger beer and dance to the steel-drum island music. The night is filled with toasts to good health and happiness. Any man who is lucky enough to dance with the bride pins money to her dress in order to help with the expenses of the honeymoon. The bride and groom receive a multitude of gifts, many of which are hand-made, such as quilts or furniture. It is also a custom for the bride and groom to bestow a favor on each guest so that they may always remember the joyous occasion.
The food at a Caribbean Wedding consists of traditional Caribbean food like curried goat and fried plantains. The wedding cake, however, is the center of attention at the wedding reception. It is called "Black Cake" and it is a pound cake recipe handed down by the women of each generation and improved upon to suit each recipient's tastes. "Black Cake" is composed mainly of flour, brown sugar, butter, eggs, and fruit. All of the fruit is soaked in a rum-filled crock pot for anywhere from a few weeks to a year, and the cake is served with a hard rum sauce topping. On some islands, the wedding cake is topped with a tree sapling so that the couple may plant the tree at their new home.

Scottish Wedding Traditions

Scottish Wedding Traditions

There is nothing better than a good Scottish wedding with kilts by the dozen and a lively ceilidh band. There are lots of traditions surrounding the day and the weeks before it which add to the spectacle of a wedding in Scotland.
It is good luck to hide a sprig of heather in a brides bouquet and the luckiest color of heather to have is white. Heather is also added to the buttonholes of the grooms' and best mans jackets. A luckenbooth is a silver brooch which is traditionally engraved with two entwined hearts and given as a gift on the day of the wedding. The Luckenbooth is traditionally used to pin the blanket of the couples first child.
The traditional wedding outfit for the groom and other male members of the wedding party is the kilt with the most common one being worn with the Bonnie Prince Charlie jacket. Bagpipes are commonly heard outside the church at a Scottish wedding and most wedding venues will include a piper in their wedding package. The bagpiper will often play the newly married couple on their way out of the church.
For the reception a ceilidh band can really make a wedding Scottish. A ceilidh band will consist of anything from an accordion player and a snare drummer to a six piece band including a fiddler and full drum kit. Ceilidh bands will play group Scottish dances like Strip the Willow and the Dashing White Sergeant as well as couple dances like the military two step.
A rather odd Scottish wedding tradition is the ominous sounding blackening. A blackening can be done to a bride or groom by their friends in the build up to the big day. It involves the bride or groom (or sometimes both) being caught by their friends, and covered in all sorts of sticky substances like treacle, eggs and flour. They are then driven around the town paraded to all.