You'll probably see them at our wedding!!
Such an important aspect of Italian culture
Here is a list of one of the most common superstitions about weddings in Italy..some of them might be similar to your native countries, some others won't..so, just go through all of them and...let me know which one you find the strangest! :)
Italian brides spend the night before the wedding at their parent's house. Some wear green the day before the wedding, because it is said that brings good fortune. The bride is not supposed to wear any gold on her wedding day a part from her wedding ring, it is bad luck.
A well known proverb says” Di Venere e di Marte ne'si sposa ne' si parte” it means that you shouldn’t get married or leave for a trip on Fridays or Tuesdays..but why not on Friday and Tuesday? Tuesday (martedì in Italian) is the day devoted to Mars, the Greek god of war, while Friday (venerdì in Italian) is the day when bad spirits were created ...
Another popular proverb states “Sposa bagnata sposa fortunata” meaning that rain on the wedding day brings good luck to the newly married couple. The reason is rain symbolizes luckiness and wealth that pour on the new couple.
The bride has to wear something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue. Here is an explanation of the reason of this superstition:
Something old: Represents continuity with the past, usually a ring or a piece of jewellery that has been passed down through the family from generation to generation.
Something new: The wearing of something new shows the bride is looking to the future of her marriage. This could be the wedding dress or the lingerie worn under the dress.
Something borrowed: a token borrowed from a happily married friend or relative in the hope that some of their happiness and good luck will be transferred to the new couple. A piece of jewellery is usually borrowed for the big day.
Something blue: blue is a symbol of purity, most often the something blue is the garter the bride wears.
The groom must not see the bride before the wedding ceremony, he is at the altar with his witness and waits till the bride steps in accompanied by her father who will then "give her away".
In the Church, pay special attention to the wedding rings! If they fall, they should be taken by the priest. If you lose or forget them, it is even worst…it means you are not willing to take “the big step”. Confetti, almonds candies covered with sugar, are the symbolic food for fertility and for good luck. According to the Italian tradition they represent health, fertility, longevity and happiness.
After the ceremony, rice is thrown at the couple coming out of the Church to greet everyone. Rice represents richness and good luck and that is why lot of rise come showering down on the couple by all the surrounding well wishers as they exit the church.
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