Merging customs, traditions and lives

You have your budget completed, location confirmed and now the fun of planning what kind of day you’re going to have truly begins. While I’ll share more customs with you as we move forward, here are a few of my favorites. Remember to bring a bit of your own rich family past to your new family future.

If your family is from the Caribbean…
A rich, black rum cake is in your future. Some call it rum cake others a black cake because of it’s shape, deep color and density. Fruits soaked in rum for weeks before it’s baked with dark brown sugar, butter and most of all…love. The bridal recipe is one that is often passed from generation to generation, but if you want small ones to give as gifts, Tortuga Rum Co., have some of the best cakes around. http://www.tortugarumcakes.com/

If your family is from England…
Traditionally your entire bridal party walks together to the church with your flower girl tossing flowers along your path to ensure a life filled with happiness and laden wth flowers. If you can’t walk to the church, how about having your entire family walking you down the isle. It truly can be a special moment, as well as helping to keep your dad’s ‘stiff upper lip.’

If your family is from Greece…
You both are crowned with stefana, which is a wreath of flowers made of flowers tied together with flowers. The crown of flowers is to resemble those worn by royalty and the sanctity of marriage by the church. To add sweetness to the day, the bride carries a lump of sugar in her glove on the wedding day. While I know some of you may not wear gloves or have sweaty palms…you may want to just use a sugar packet.

If your family is from Morocco…
Moroccan weddings are a musical event from start to finish, with lots of singing and dancing. Men usually wear one of their best suits. Women and female friends of bride have a party where the bride performs a sort of a “milk bath” to "purify" her before her wedding day. They also help her dress in a richly decorated wedding kaftan (usually white), adorn her with heavy jewelry, and beautify and darken her eyes with kohl.

If your family is from Mexico…
There will be a very large rosary, called a lasso, used by the priest to tie the hands of the bride and groom as they recite their vows. The thought is to show the union and protection of their marriage.

So no matter what your custom or culture, there is a rich history from which you can pull traditions into your wedding day.