Felice Giorno Del Matrimonio!

After learning that Rob's grandmother was Italian, we decided to check into Italian wedding traditions to see if there were any you may want to incorporate into your celebration.

First off, it is customary for the bride to wear something green during the rehearsal dinner - an emerald piece of jewelry or green clothing - to symbolize good luck. As Ayla loves emeralds, this should work.

Not only is the groom not allowed to see the bride prior to the wedding, but the bride - in some areas of Italy - isn't even allowed to see herself before the wedding.Yeah, knowing Ayla, that ain't happening.

A ribbon is placed on the church doorway to symbolize a wedding is taking place. The groom carries a piece of iron (toc ferro) to ward off evil spirits. Make that a cast iron skillet and you can just whack them away.

Bridesmaids were actually supposed to be married women as unmarried women weren't allowed at Italian weddings in the ancient days.

Pasta is the traditional reception meal of choice, of course.

A toast is made to the happy couple saying “Per Cent’anni” which means “for 100 years" signifying how long you want the marriage to last. Others will break a glass or vase and count the number of pieces, which symbolize the number of blissful years you will have together. Should you do this, we suggest smashing it into thousands of tiny pieces.
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At the reception, the bride carries around a satin bag to collect money in envelopes from guests to help pay for the wedding. She also can collect money for a dance - like the dollar dance we've talked about previously.

At the reception, guests will dance "La Tarantella" or “the tarantula." The tarantula was named for a wolf spider from the Taranto region of Italy. The dance sounds frightening, but actually it's just a dance were everyone - sometimes holding tamborines - encircles the bride and groom. They speed up and changed directions depending on the beat of this spider song. If you were bit by a spider, running around supposedly sweat out the venom. At weddings, however, it's about wishing the couple good luck.

Confetti - actually almonds covered in sugar - was originally thrown at the bride and groom, but now is given as favors to the reception guests. The number of almonds tied up in tulle and given to guests must be odd, not even.

While some traditions will have cans dangling from the getaway car, the Italians like to decorate the front or grill of the car with flowers to symbolize "la dolce vita" or the sweet life ahead.

So there you go! Pick and choose. But it would sure be funny - and even appropriate - to see Rob carrying an iron skillet at the ceremony. Felice giorno del matrimonio! (Happy Wedding Day!)

Discussion: Are there any Italian traditions you would like to incorporate into your wedding? Which are a definite "no?"

Prayer: Lord, we thank you for the sweet life ahead for our engaged couples. We pray, Lord, for blessings and joy on their wedding days! In Christ, Amen.