The world is a small place. Love has no boundaries. Together, these two statements create many international romances. International love can add excitement and diversity to a relationship, but it can also create several problems, especially when it comes to weddings. Many couples find themselves pondering which cultural traditions to incorporate into the ceremony. With numerous wedding traditions throughout the world, ceremonies are more and more multicultural in nature. Even couples from the same country often look to other cultures for unique ceremony ideas. Described below are a few wedding traditions rooted in Ireland and throughout South America.

Brazil

As is true for many cultures around the world, the groom is not permitted to see the bride in her wedding dress prior to the ceremony.

Engraved rings are a must in Brazil. The bride’s ring is engraved with her groom’s name, while the groom’s ring is etched with the name of his beautiful bride.

Venezuela

Hoping to bring good luck upon themselves, the bride and groom secretly escape together from their own reception. Not only is it fun coordinating a clever escape from numerous guests, but if done cunningly it may fool everyone and be very memorable for years to come!

Not only might a couple sing their vows to each other, but it is also common for them to receive a printed copy of the vows as life-long keepsakes.

Argentina

A couple exchanges their vows during the proposal instead of the ceremony.

Chile

An engaged couple wears their wedding rings on their right hands until they say their “I dos” during the ceremony.

Colombia

As is true for many cultures around the world, the bride and groom take part in a candle lighting ceremony. Each holds a lit candle, representing their individual lives. Together the bride and groom join their candles to light a third. With only the flame of the third candle burning, family and friends can see how the bride and groom have now joined together to live one single life.

This entry was posted on November 16, 2006 at 8:00 pm and is filed under Wedding Planning, Tips & Tricks. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.