Weaving your culture into your ceremony can add a deeper meaning to your day of “I dos”. Whether in the form of traditional attire, cuisine, or music, the addition of cultural details creates a sense of connection to your roots and makes you feel more bonded to your spouse-to-be (and vice versa) if you’re from different cultures. By creatively infusing your culture into your wedding, you can showcase your customs to your guests and beautifully pay tribute to who you are.
But the question is, how do you plan a western wedding while still allowing your unique culture to seep in? Incorporating the markers of your culture into your 21st-century celebration can be a delicate dance. You’ll want it to be tasteful, not tacky; and authentic but true to you as a couple.
At It’s Your Day Events, we know that not all couples want to throw a culturally traditional wedding—and that’s OK! You can still have the western wedding you’ve always wanted while honoring your heritage. Here’s how:
Carefully consider which parts of your culture to include
Just because it’s part of your culture doesn’t mean you have to include it in your event! Before you figure out how to infuse your culture into your wedding, sit down with your fiance and decide on what you want to incorporate into your celebration. Have an honest discussion on which elements of your culture matter most to you and your partner. If you’re an interracial couple, list the cultures you want to pay tribute to from both sides, making sure to be respectful of each other.
Remember that everything, from the flowers to the food, will be immortalized in your wedding photos, so think about how you’d want your day to be remembered. If it has always been your dream to walk down the aisle in a white gown, allow yourself to say no to the traditional dress. When you look back at your big day years from now, you should be proud of the choices you made.
Feature your culture in your food
Introduce your wedding guests to new flavors by creating a menu reflective of your culture. For example, a couple with Indian roots can serve paneer tikka as their hors d'oeuvre, while a couple with Mexican roots can delight their guests’ tastebuds with tacos and chiles en nogada. For drinks, serve specialty cocktails such as Rossini if you have Italian roots, or Raki if you’re of Turkish descent.
A twist to classic dishes is also a creative way to incorporate your culture into your event. For example, you could ask your caterer to bake a fusion cake using ingredients from your and your spouse-to-be’s cultures.
Pay homage to your culture through clothing
Be bold and show up in a full traditional outfit, or pay a subtle nod to your roots by infusing your attire with motifs, embroidery, and colors from your culture. For example, an Anglo-Indian bride could wear a red gown with gold jewels, taking inspiration from traditional Indian bridalwear. Meanwhile, a groom of Chinese parentage could wear a suit with Chinese motifs such as chrysanthemums, dragons, and orchids.
Couples with more wiggle room in their budgets can also wear two different outfits. For example, a Chinese bride might wear a white gown for the formal ceremony, and change into a red gown (in Chinese culture, it’s tradition for brides to wear red) for the reception. An Indian groom, on the other hand, could wear a classic suit for the “I dos”, and then don a Sherwani for the post-ceremony portrait session.
Dance away to traditional music
Add culture to your day’s soundtrack. From the processional to the dance-offs that occur during the reception, play music that features instruments from your culture, whether that’s the Chinese zheng, Irish cláirseach, or Argentinian charango. You could also play well-known songs from your homeland—like the ones that your relatives would always sing along to—for nostalgia.
Remember, music is a universal language (there’s even a Harvard study to back this up!). Even if your wedding guests don’t understand the song, they’ll still be able to feel the love in the lyrics and will be up on their feet, dancing the night away. To make your event even more fun, you could teach your guests a traditional dance from your culture, such as the Halay if you’re from Turkey, or the Ceilidh if you’re of Irish ancestry.
Incorporate customs into your ceremony
One of the most meaningful ways to infuse your culture into your wedding is through customs. They can range from religious rites to traditions that have been passed down through the generations. For instance, Indian couples can perform the choora ceremony where the bride receives bangles from her relatives, while Japanese sweethearts can do the Bon Odori dance to pay tribute to their ancestors.
You could also showcase your culture through a unity ceremony such as the El Lazo—a popular ritual in Spain and the Philippines where a rosary or cord is placed around the couple’s shoulders. Unity ceremonies are an excellent choice for multiracial couples as they represent the merging of two cultures.
Add small details that reflect your culture
It’s all in the details! From the stationery to the decor, there are countless ways to infuse your culture into your wedding’s details without going all out. For example, you could adorn your centerpieces with flowers from your home country, like Japan’s cherry blossoms or Laos’ yellow-and-white Dok Champa. You could also design your venue around your country’s traditional wedding colors, such as red and gold (prevalent in Indian weddings) and blue and white (associated with Greek weddings).
Through these small touches, you’ll be able to pay a subtle nod to your culture without making your wedding look too traditional. Your wedding will still be the modern event you’ve envisioned, but with a few references to your culture thrown in.
Planning a cultural wedding? We’re here to help.
Embracing your culture will allow you to throw a wedding that’s not only meaningful, but also memorable to you, your partner, and your loved ones. Through these thoughtful ways, you’ll be able to pay tribute to your roots, and honor your family’s time-honored traditions before you and your new spouse create traditions of your own.
On the road to your “I dos”? The team at It’s Your Day Events would love to help you put together a wedding that thoughtfully integrates your culture. Get in touch with us today to add a cultural flair to your special day.
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