cultural wedding customs and traditions

There are some who would say that wedding ceremonies have become highly commercialized affairs, more focused on the details of the reception than the purpose of the event, which is to witness and celebrate the coming together of two people in matrimony. It is true that over the years the planning and execution of weddings has spawned an entire industry of vendors from clothing designers, to caterers, to musicians, to photographers, videographers, florists, and professional planners. Not to mention the countless books and magazines, as well as seminars, and bridal shows that specifically target brides-to-be, and cover all aspects of the planning process to help create the perfect wedding. But what is the perfect wedding? There are plenty of wedding planning kits out there complete with a checklist to help guide couples through the process. Though thoughtful, one can't help but feel that the checklist might hinder the imagination, and lead the bride to believe that the elements on the list, and only those elements are what make the perfect wedding. The point is, there is a formula that is widely used, and if you've attended a few weddings, you should be familiar with the routine. Though convenient, weddings executed in this fashion meet the danger of becoming forgettable.

In a nation as rich in diversity as the United States, it is not uncommon for couples to come from colorful ethnic backgrounds. Many brides and grooms would love to marry in the tradition of their native ancestors, but being products of American culture as well, want to have the white wedding they've always envisioned. There is an abundance of solutions to satisfy all of these desires. Bringing culture to a wedding is not only a fantastic way to share something personal with the guests, but a sincere tribute to the families who have come together. Some couples may choose to have destination weddings, requesting guests to fly to their native country to partake in an elaborate, traditional wedding ceremony. But such a feat is not easy to pull together, and most couples who entertain the thought might be intimidated by the scope of their ambitions. For similar effect at much lower difficulty, try incorporating some aspects of culture into a classic white wedding. This can be as simple as having an ethnic menu instead of "beef or chicken", or serving sangria or sake for toasting instead of champagne, or yet, including polka, or bhangra in the musical repertoire. The smallest out of the ordinary gesture can set the mood for an entire once in a lifetime event.