History

• Traditionally, Italian marriages were arranged by the parents, most notably the father. If a groom wished to have a woman’s hand in marriage, a matchmaker would send a message to her family stating his intentions and starting a round of negotiations among the families. If all went well, the groom gave his bride a diamond engagement ring and she started building a trousseau, including housewares, a small dowry and even clothes for her husband.

Preparation

• The night before an Italian wedding there is a rehearsal dinner. The best man raises his glass of prosecco, a form of Italian champagne, and leads a toast to the couple of “Per cent’anni,” meaning a hundred years. Historically, brides also wore green the night before their wedding to bring them good luck in marriage.

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Wedding Day

• The groom places a piece of iron in his pocket to ward off evil spirits, and the bride wears a slightly torn veil for good luck while covering her face to ward off jealous spirits. In parts of Italy the couple walk to their ceremony together as the bride encounters obstacles along the way, revealing her domestic tendencies. World Wedding Traditions explains, “If she picked up a broom, for example, she will keep a clean house. If they put a child in her way and she stopped to help him, she will be a good mother.”

Ceremony

• Once the ceremony begins, a ribbon will be placed across the chapel doors to inform the community the service is in progress. The wedding ceremony is most-often performed by a priest, and includes a lengthy mass. The luckiest day to get married is on Sunday, and tradition discourages marriage services on Lent and Advent, as well as during the months of May and August.

Reception

• The crowd will shout “Auguri”, or “Best Wishes” at the conclusion of the ceremony and the bride and groom will lead a procession by riding in a car that has its front grill decorated in flowers to signify la dolce vita, or the sweet life. Fresh food, local wine and celebration will last long through the evening as guests perform dances like “La Tarantella.” This tradition requires participants to hold hands and move in a circle, abruptly changing directions with changes in the music. Guests also throw small bags of chocolate-covered almonds, called “confetti,” at the married couple to signify the bitter and sweet of their future, and Italian wedding cake may be served.

Gifts

• Throughout the reception, the bride will carry a small silk bag, called la basura, on her arm. Guests will place envelopes into the bag in an attempt to help off-set the costs of the extravagant Italian wedding. The bride may wish to wear it while she dances, or have her grandmother guard it for safekeeping.