Complementi: Authentic Italian Wedding Traditions & Customs

Jan 04, 2017 11:56 AM Back

If you’re Italian (or are marrying one) you are likely proud to boast about your romantic prowess and about KNOWING how to entertain and throw a party. So, when it comes to weddings, one of the most monumental moments for an Italian family, the sky’s the limit when it comes to lush, lavish, and luxury celebrations.

For most Italians….less is never more…MORE is more…but they know how to do “over the top” tastefully and tactfully….and besides big portions of food and LOTS of love and frivolity…Italians have an abundance of traditions that are rich, robust and give poignancy to the party.

Sweet Serenade: The groom to be traditionally serenades his future bride BEFORE popping the question as a profession of his love. It is also believed that diamonds were created by the flames of love.

Always On A Sunday: While contemporary couples may choose to circumvent this tradition, Italians believe that Sunday weddings are the luckiest:

Not So Golden Opportunity: While Italians seem to LOVE their bling….gold is NOT a good option for the bride to be. According to “superstition” if a bride wears gold on or before her wedding day, it is considered “bad luck”.

Church Challenges: In Italy the couple, on their way to the church are presented with several “obstacles” including a crying baby, a fallen broom and a host of domestic “disturbances” which are meant to test their ability to overcome what life and marriage have to throw at them after the wedding. In Northern Italy, it’s the groom who chooses his brides bouquet, choosing both color and style of her floral arrangement as a gift from him to her.

An Iron Clad Union: The groom is supposed to carry on him (on his wedding day) a piece of iron (toc ferro) in efforts to ward off evil omens. Additionally each groomsmen is supposed to shower the bride with kisses at the reception for good luck as well as making the groom jealous.

Lively Libations: Traditional Italians toast the bride and groom via kicking off the celebration with strong drinks. Toasts such as “Per Cent’anni” (100 years [of joy]) and Evivii gli sposi (hurray for the newlyweds)…as well as “kiss the bride” are frequently chanted throughout the evening honoring the union and encouraging the couple to kiss and show their affection for each other.

Fancy Footwork: It is customary for all Italian weddings to include the Tarantella…a traditional dance a fast pace dance with intricate hand and foot movements.

Eat, Drink and Make Merry: Food and Drink are another MAIN component of the main event. Guests are catered to with the finest in catering and are served 14 courses capping of the evening with cake and espresso.

Fit To Be Tied: At the end of the evening, traditional Italian celebrations call for the groom’s tie to be cut up into pieces and “auctioned” off with proceeds helping to pay for the band/entertainment.

Customary Confections: Jordan (sugar coated) Almonds wrapped in tulle are often handed out along with the favors and represent the bittersweet nature of marriage.

A Touch of Glass: Similar to Jewish tradition, the couple is expected to break a glass or vase at the end of the evening. The pieces of shattered glass are supposed to represent the amount of years they couple will enjoy together….so, the more mess you make, the better.

Tricks Of The Trade: Not unlike other cultures, Italian tradition calls for the groom’s friends to take turns and sneak away during the reception to play (harmless) pranks on the groom
Traditionally speaking, Napalitana brides were expected to bake cakes or other homemade confections to hand out to guests as a display of gratitude for attending the wedding.