Looking for wedding traditions in Italy? We’ve gathered the complete guide for Italian wedding traditions – including how they celebrate, gifting etiquette, traditional clothing, food and drink, and more.
Weddings are filled with unique traditions and festivities. Add to the celebrations with a memorable gift experience or a thoughtful gift.
To help you explore Italian traditions, this article is organized into:
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Unique Italian Wedding Traditions
Italian weddings are renowned for their vibrant celebrations, delicious food, and rich cultural traditions.
- La Serenata: One traditional Italian wedding custom is “La Serenata,” where the groom serenades his bride-to-be beneath her window on the night before the wedding. Accompanied by musicians or friends, the groom sings love songs to express his affection and anticipation for their union.
- Confetti and Jordan Almonds: In Italy, it’s customary to shower the newlyweds with confetti, which are not paper shreds but rather small, sugared almonds symbolizing fertility, health, wealth, happiness, and long life. Guests often receive these sweet treats as wedding favors as well.
- Wedding Car Parade: Instead of a traditional wedding procession, Italian couples often opt for a festive car parade through the streets of their town or city. The bridal party, accompanied by honking cars adorned with ribbons and flowers, announces their joyous union to the community.
- Tarantella Dance: The Tarantella is a lively folk dance performed at Italian weddings, typically accompanied by upbeat music played on tambourines and other traditional instruments. Guests join hands and whirl around the dance floor, celebrating the couple’s happiness and vitality.
Traditional Italian Wedding Attire
Italian weddings are known for their timeless elegance, reflected in the attire worn by the bride, groom, and wedding party:
- The Bride’s Dress: Italian brides opt for white gowns adorned with intricate lace and embroidery, symbolizing purity and elegance.
- Veil and Tiara: A veil symbolizes modesty and is often paired with a tiara or headpiece for added regal elegance.
- Groom’s Attire: Grooms wear dark-colored suits or tuxedos, complemented by a white dress shirt, tie or bowtie, and polished shoes.
- Bridal Party Attire: Bridesmaids wear coordinating dresses, while groomsmen don suits similar to the groom’s ensemble, maintaining a classic and refined aesthetic.
- Accessories and Jewelry: Brides adorn themselves with heirloom jewelry, such as pearls or gold, adding a personal touch to their ensemble.
How to Say “Best Wishes” in Italian
When extending your heartfelt wishes to the happy couple in Italian, you can say:
“Auguri di felicità!”
This expression translates to “Best wishes for happiness!” and is commonly used in wedding contexts to convey warm congratulations and blessings to the newlyweds.
Need more wedding wishes? Here is our full article on Wedding Wishes in Other Languages.
Italian Wedding Gifting Etiquette
Gifting is an important part of Italian wedding culture. Here are some do’s and don’ts to keep in mind:
Do’s in Gifting
- Bring a gift for the newlyweds, which is customary.
- Give money as a gift to the bride and groom, which is placed in a special satin purse called la borsa during the reception.
- Give an elegant gift that matches the couple’s lifestyle and preferences.
- Consider giving a personalized gift, such as something made from the heart and destined for theirs.
- Go big or go home. If you cannot afford to give a rather pricey, elegant gift, it’s better to stay home and decline the invitation.
Don’ts in Gifting
- Do not give gifts that are not gift-wrapped: Gifts should always be gift-wrapped in Italian culture, as it shows that thought and effort have been put into the gift.
- Do not give gifts that are not opened at the time they are given and received: In Italian culture, gifts are usually opened at the time they are given and received, so it is important to be present when giving a gift.
Bridesmaids’ Unity Ritual
In some regions of Italy, bridesmaids participate in a symbolic unity ritual called “il nodo,” or “the knot.” The bridesmaids form a circle around the bride, and each one ties a knot in her wedding veil or dress, representing their bond of friendship and support.
Wedding Feast
Italian weddings are renowned for their sumptuous feasts featuring an abundance of delicious food and wine. From antipasti to pasta dishes, succulent meats, and decadent desserts, guests are treated to a culinary experience that reflects the richness of Italian cuisine and hospitality.
Cutting of the Groom’s Tie
As a playful tradition, guests may gather around the groom and ceremoniously cut his tie into small pieces. Each piece is then sold to the wedding guests, with the proceeds going toward the couple’s honeymoon or future expenses.
Bomboniere
Bomboniere are small gifts given to wedding guests as a token of appreciation for their attendance. These gifts often include sugared almonds, small bottles of limoncello, or other sweet treats packaged in decorative boxes or pouches.
Conclusion
Celebrating weddings in Italy goes beyond vows and rings. It’s a time to honor love, cherish family, and embrace timeless traditions.
Weddings are imbued with cultural richness and meaningful rituals. Enhance the festivities with an unforgettable gift experience or a thoughtful gift. So, here’s to a traditional way of celebrating weddings!
Sophie is an etiquette coach who has the rare ability to make the intricacies of etiquette approachable and fun. She travels around the world coaching families, individuals, corporates and independent schools. Sophie has honed her craft without losing her easy-going charm.