Italy has a very long history and with every region maintaining their own traditions there are many to choose from should you wish to incorporate some in to your wedding day in Italy.
The veil
The bridal veil not only hides her from her husband but more importantly protects her from evil spirits.
The Groom
The groom carries a bit of iron in his pocket, also to defend against the "evil eye"
Tying the knot
Bridesmaids and groomsmen
The bridesmaids and groomsmen, present because ancient Roman law once required 10 witnessed at any wedding, dress quite like the bride and groom in order to confuse... you guessed it: jealous evil spirits.
Walking to the church
If the groom does walk the bride to church, she should leave, right foot first, from her front door, and the community should throw challenges in their path, such as a broom (she should pick it up, proving herself a good housewife) or a crying child (both bride and groom should prove themselves good potential parents by comforting it). If they meet a pig, their luck will be bad, but a black cat will bring good fortune. A funeral bespeaks ill, but sunshine or a rainbow forecasts fortune. The bride and groom might be confronted with a sawhorse, double-handed saw and a log; they must show their true spirit of partnership by sawing the log in half together. (Sometimes this is done between the wedding and the reception.)
Wedding favors
Today, the tradition of wedding favours has evolved to giving thoughtful gifts, but traditionally in Italy each guest would receive five sugar coated almonds (Italian confetti) as a symbol of health, fertility, wealth, joy and long-life.
Why almonds? A Greek legend tells the story of a young man called Demophon, who fell in love with a Tracian princess, Phyllis. Before the marriage ceremony Demophon is informed that his father has died in Athens and he must return for the funeral. He promises to come back by a certain day but cannot return until three months later.
By this time Phyllis is sure that she will never see her lover again and hangs herself. The Gods, touched by her love, transform her into an almond tree. The desperate Demophon offers a sacrifice to the almond tree, declaring his undying love. In response, the almond tree blossoms.
Therefore the almond came to symbolize impetuous
Bridal flowers
In ancient times bouquets were made with herbs and spices, because it was thought that strong smelling herbs would ward off and drive away evil spirits, bad luck and ill health. Garlic and chives were also popular for the same reason. During Victorian times, flowers took on an additional significance, due to the fashion of the flower language.
The Bouquet or Toss Bouquet
The bouquet was considered a symbol of happiness. Today the practice of tossing the bouquet is a derivative of throwing the garter. The single woman who catches the bouquet is believed to be the next to marry.
The night before the wedding
The bride should wear green for good luck; green has long been the color of fertility!
Why the bride stands on the left
Brides stand on the left because in ancient times grooms used to capture their bride by kidnapping her. If the groom had to fight off other men who also wanted the same woman, he would hold his bride-to-be with his left hand and fight with his sword in the right.
Days of the week to get married...
Monday for wealth.
Despite this rhyme most couples prefer to marry on Saturday.
Tuesday for health.
Wednesday the best day of all.
Thursday for losses.
Friday for crosses.
Friday for crosses.
Saturday for no luck at all.
Sunday, in ancient times was the best day for getting married because most people were free from work. Despite this rhyme most couples prefer to marry on Saturday.
Italian wedding feast
It may consist of more than a dozen courses and was, in ancient Rome, preceded by the breaking of a loaf of barley or wheat bread over the bride's head! (Perhaps this showed who THOUGHT he was the master of the house, but then, there is the famous Italian saying, "La moglie e' la chiave di casa!" (:The wife is the key of the house.") The guests gather up the crumbs for good luck and to help the couple become fertile; the evolved into the gifting of guests with pieces of wedding cake, and some still believe that one who sleeps with a piece of wedding cake under the pillow will dream of his or her future spouse.
Over the threshold
The groom must carry the bride over the threshold so waiting evil spirits will miss their last chance to capture her.
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