Italy and love just go together. No matter what your heritage, add some good fortune to your celebration with some
of these Italian Wedding traditions.

For the bride-to-be. Wear a veil to protect yourself from evil spirits and be happy if the veil gets torn, obviously it works and you will continue to have good luck. Wear green the night before your wedding but don’t wear anything gold other than your wedding ring.

For the groom. Defend against the “evil eye” by carrying some iron in your pocket.

For the bride and groom. Break a glass. Each shattered piece of glass represents how many happy years you will have together. Be happy if it rains. These are the luckiest days to get married.

For the men. Kiss the bride at the reception – but never again.

Did you know?
• Diamond rings were first used by Italians, who believed that they were created from the flames of love.

• An Italian custom is to present five sugar-coated almonds to the guests which represent health, wealth, long life, fertility, and happiness.

• The tradition of releasing doves, representing the love that the newlyweds have for one another, originated in Italy.

• The ancient Roman law that required ten witnessed at any wedding established the tradition of the bridesmaids and groomsmen.

• The word confetti from the same root as the word ‘confectionery’ in Italian and was used to describe ‘sweetmeats’, grain and nuts coated in sugar, that were thrown over newly weds to symbolize the fertility of seeds.

• Soldiers of the Roman empire would feast with the Groom the night before his wedding to say goodbye to his irresponsible days of bachelorhood, and to renew their vows of allegiance to their friendships.

• Also during the days of the Roman empire, wedding cakes were traditionally broken by the Groom to symbolize of Brides fertility. Guests would then take them home for good luck.

Photo courtesy of Stephen King