Culture is full of traditions. If you’ve heard of a cultural tradition, it’s most likely related to food or weddings.
Wedding traditions span many cultures, and for Italians, weddings and food go hand in hand. Italian culture has traditional customs that are woven into every part of your wedding day, some even starting the night before. From the food served at dinner to the cultural dances and gifts for guests, Italian wedding traditions span decades.
These are Italian cultural wedding traditions that remain popular to this day.
Some Italian wedding traditions date back centuries. (St. Petersburg)
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1. We spent the night apart.
Traditionally, the bride and groom do not spend the night before their wedding together. Instead, brides usually spend the night before their big day at their parents’ home.
This tradition dates back to when a couple’s marriage was arranged. The bride and groom were not allowed to see each other before marrying at the altar. It is considered unlucky to meet before the ceremony.
2. The bride can’t see herself either.
Many couples choose to meet each other in their wedding attire in a modern first look before the ceremony, but this is not common in traditional Italian weddings.
Not only is it against tradition for them to see each other, but it is also traditional for the bride not to see herself. If the bride wants a glimpse of herself, she has to remove her accessories, which makes her look incomplete.
At an Italian wedding, the bride and groom don’t see each other until they walk down the aisle. (St. Petersburg)
3. Brides should not wear gold jewelry except for rings
It is traditional for Italian brides to not wear any other gold jewelry on their wedding day, except for their rings.
Wearing additional gold ornaments on that day is considered unlucky.
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4. The last gift from the groom to the bride
In Italian culture, the groom traditionally buys the bride’s bouquet. This is considered the last gift to the bride before marriage.
It is the groom’s responsibility to choose the bouquet and ensure that it is safely delivered to the bride on the morning of the wedding day.
5. Guests should not wear white clothes
White is the only color allowed by brides on their wedding day. If you are attending an Italian wedding, choose a different color to wear on the day.
If you’re not sure what to wear as a guest, talk to your friends and family who will be attending the wedding, or try picking out seasonal items at a department store.
For example, if you’re attending a spring wedding, pastel colors will complement the season well, while deep colors like maroon and green will work well for a fall wedding.
In Italian wedding culture, brides are not allowed to wear gold on their wedding day, other than their rings. It is considered bad luck. (St. Petersburg)
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6. Rice sowing
When couples return from a wedding, they are often greeted by guests waiting to depart.
In Italian culture, guests often throw rice at the couple after the ceremony as a symbol of fertility. This tradition goes back many centuries. In ancient Rome, the Romans used wheat and oat seeds as symbols of new life. Throwing rice at an Italian couple outside a church represents a desire for a fulfilling life.
7. Cutting the groom’s tie
If you’ve ever been to an Italian wedding reception, you may have seen the groom’s tie cut into small pieces.
These ties will be auctioned off and given to wedding guests. The knot of the tie is the most valuable and expensive part. The money received will be given to the couple. They can use this for any expenses they may incur in the future, or even their upcoming honeymoon.
Nowadays, it’s less of a tradition and more of a fun way for the bride and groom to greet their guests as they walk around holding tie particles.
In traditional Italian weddings, it is customary for the groom to choose a bridal bouquet and give it to the bride as a “last gift” before the wedding. (St. Petersburg)
8. “La Tarantella” dance
“La Tarantella” is a popular folk dance performed at Italian weddings. This dance is also called the “Spider Dance”. The steps are very simple and your guests, Italian or not, can join in with little effort.
As music plays, guests dance around the bride and groom in a large circle, holding hands or linking arms.
This song and dance originates from the heel of the Italian boot and goes all the way back to Puglia, and its origins go back centuries to ancient Italy. The city of Puglia takes its name from the wolf spider that lives in this part of Italy. The name of this dance comes from the reaction to being bitten by a spider. It is believed that after the poisonous spider claimed its victim, the person began to dance.
9. Italian wedding cake
Millefolie means 1,000 layers and is a traditional wedding cake served at the reception. The cake contains layers of puff pastry filled with custard or cream.
Traditionally, it is topped with colorful fruits such as strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries. After that, the top of the cake is sprinkled with a fair amount of powdered sugar. The cake is very fresh and not too sweet. However, dessert tables at Italian weddings are usually filled with traditional cookies and other pastries with sweeter flavors.
You may also find Milfoglie at children’s christenings and birthday parties in Italy.
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10. Presents for guests
The bride and groom usually hand out party favors called bonbonnières at their wedding. The traditional favors handed out at Italian weddings are confetti, or candied almonds.
Guests are usually given five to seven almonds as a sign of good luck.
