| On the day of the wedding, the bride is not | | | | The Reception The best man greets everyone |
| supposed to wear any gold, until after her | | | | coming to the reception with a tray of |
| wedding ring is slipped out. Wearing gold | | | | liquor. Sweet liquors are served to the women |
| during or before the wedding is thought to | | | | and strong drinks served to the men before |
| bring bad luck. | | | | any food. The purpose of this is to give |
| | | | everyone an opportunity to toast the bride |
| Old Church traditions forbade marriage during | | | | and groom. A common toast would be "Per |
| Lent and Advent. Marriage was also avoided in | | | | cent'anni" (for a hundred years). |
| the months of May and August. May was to be | | | | |
| reserved for the veneration of the Virgin | | | | All the men at the reception kiss the bride |
| Mary, and August was thought to invite bad | | | | for good luck -- and to make the groom |
| luck and sickness. | | | | jealous. |
| | | | |
| Sunday marriages (with the exception of the | | | | The bride carried a satin bag (la borsa) in |
| months mentioned above) are believed to be | | | | which guests placed envelopes containing |
| luckiest. In the Veneto region of Italy, the | | | | money. The money helped toward the expenses |
| groom walks to the bride's house and, | | | | of the wedding which was financed by the |
| together, he walks with the bride and the | | | | bride's family. During the reception, this |
| whole wedding party to church. On the way, | | | | purse was usually guarded by the bride's |
| town residents would watch the group walk by | | | | grandmother (nonna) or mother (the holder of |
| and present the bride with many challenges. | | | | the bag can vary).In some weddings the bride |
| For example, they put a broom on the ground | | | | hangs on to the satin bag and all the men who |
| and if she bride noticed it and picked it up | | | | dance with the bride put money in the sack. |
| to put it away she was considered a good | | | | At some weddings, primarily in Northern |
| housekeeper. Then, she might come across a | | | | Italy, the best man would cuts the groom's |
| crying child, the couple is supposed to quiet | | | | tie into little pieces. The pieces are then |
| him and make him smile; this would mean that | | | | put onto a tray and sold to the guests. The |
| they will be good parents. Coming across a | | | | proceeds are given to the couple to help pay |
| beggar, means giving generously and is | | | | for the band. It's a good idea for the groom |
| equaled to having a good heart. | | | | to bring a cheap tie in anticipation of this |
| | | | custom. Italian weddings have always |
| The bride arrives to the wedding mass last. | | | | emphasized food. Strongly linked with family |
| In the meantime, the groom waits in front of | | | | life, food is the focal point of the |
| the church as his best men tease him about | | | | festivities. The elaborate wedding of the |
| the bride, "Did you tell her that you're | | | | bride and groom brings together the friends |
| getting married today?" and "I don't think | | | | and relatives of both families in a |
| she'll come"! Her lateness, depending on the | | | | celebration of their new relationship. |
| number of minutes, would have a different | | | | |
| meaning to the groom. | | | | In ancient Rome, a loaf of wheat bread was |
| | | | broken over the heads of the bride and grooms |
| In Northern Italy, the groom brings the | | | | to ensure a fertile and fulfilling life. |
| bouquet of flowers to the wedding. In fact | | | | Guests would eat the crumbs for good luck. |
| the color and style of the bouquet is | | | | |
| supposed to be a surprise to the bride. This | | | | A multi-course dinner follows often as many |
| signifies a present from the grooms. | | | | as 14 different courses (sometimes even |
| | | | more)! |