Italian Weddings

Italian Weddings: you do not have to be in your beloved homeland to incorporate the beautiful wedding traditions into your “sposalizio” (marriage ceremony) of same or mixed faith. You may wish to do a little research as to any traditions specific to your region, but those common to all I have covered here.

The Primary Religion: of Italy is predominantly Catholic. (Other religious groups include Protestant, Muslim and Judaism.) A Catholic ceremony is usually held in the morning, starting with Mass. Sunday is regarded as the luckiest day.

Traditional Italian Weddings:

- marriages are usually arranged between the families concerned
- a “masciata”, (matchmaker), is sometimes engaged
- a “trousseau” or “dote” from the bride containing household items, linens, clothes for the couple, is given to the groom
- a “dowry” of money, sometimes domestic goods, is given in return from the groom
- a piece of iron is carried by the groom to ward off evil spirits
- the brides veil hides her face from jealous spirits
- the bride should wear green on the eve of her wedding to bring good luck
- it is bad luck for the bride to wear any gold during or before her wedding ring has been placed on her finger
- “la borsa”, (a satin money bag), is carried by the bride into which guests may place their money envelopes
- flowers and ribbons replace tins and paint being attached to cars
- a pair of white doves are released to represent love and happiness
- to smash a glass or vase at the end of the wedding day; every piece it breaks into represents a happy year of marriage

Italian Weddings are a Gourmet Feast:

The sharing and giving of food plays a large part and is a focal point of an Italian marriage celebration. After the wedding ceremony there is a break. The bridal party separates from their guests for at least an hour. This gives time for “cocktails”, sweet liqueurs and other drinks to be served to their guests, whilst the finishing touches are put to the wedding feast. The latter may comprise of 12 to 14 courses! The celebrations may continue into the following morning. Some traditions are:

- serving “antipasto” a selection of prosciutto, salami, mortadella, cheese, stuffed mushrooms, pickled peppers, olives, calamari, etc.
- serving “porchetta” (roasted piglet) depending on the region, or
- serving “bacchio” (roast lamb) accompanied by pasta dishes and fresh fruit of the season
- offering “wanda”, sugared bow ties (twists of fried dough coated in sugar)
- offering three or five “candy confetti”, sugared or chocolate coated almonds, in a tulle bag to guests
- making toasts “Evviva gli sposi” “hurray for the newlyweds” and “Per cent ‘anni” for a hundred years.

Italian Weddings are also Renown for Their Music and Dancing:

Ask your musicians, band, or DJ, to play some traditional Italian dance music. Some suggestions are as follows:

- the cookie dance, similar to the “conga” or “line dance”, where the bride and groom lead their guests around the reception area and end up at the “cookie cake” whereupon each guests helps themselves to a cookie
- the “tarantella” a traditional wedding circle dance
- hire musicians playing traditional instruments that may include the “zampogne” (bagpipes), “ciaramelle” (oboes), and “organetti” (small diatonic accordions)

I hope you have tremendous fun weaving the modern with your traditional Italian wedding.




Italian Weddings