IRELAND
Handfasting
Prior to exchanging vows, join hands for the ancient Celtic tradition of handfasting. Join right hand to right hand and left hand to left hand to make a figure eight that represents eternity. Using a pretty ribbon, favorite scarf or cloth with special meaning, the officiant ties your crossed wrists together to symbolize two individuals coming together as one.
MEXICO
Wedding Lasso
In Mexican weddings, a lasso (typically made of white ribbon or orange blossoms, which represent fertility and happiness) symbolizes the everlasting bonds of love. Have an honored guest place the lasso in a figure-eight shape around both of your shoulders (groom's first) to tie you together as you exchange vows. At the end of the ceremony, the same person removes the lasso.
INDIA
Cumin & Brown Sugar
During traditional ceremonies in parts of India, the bride's family prepares a paste of cumin seeds and brown sugar, which is formed into two small patties or balls. At an auspicious moment during the ceremony, hold the paste over each other's heads to symbolize that marriage means "sticking together" during both the sweet and bitter experiences in life.
JAPAN
Sake
The number three is considered sacred in Japan, where couples take three sips of sake, or rice wine, from three cups (nine means triple happiness). This moment symbolizes sealing the marriage, a meaning that dates back to when sharing sake signaled a formal bond. Other guests may also sip sake to seal the bonds of family and friendship.
GREECE
Wedding Crowns
Ask your officiant to bestow you and your groom with stefana, wedding crowns that can be fashioned from any durable material (from beads and pearls to faux flowers and Swarovski crystals) and are joined by a white ribbon to represent unity. Signifying the nobility of marriage, they crown the bride and groom as queen and king of their home
SCOTLAND
Shawl
After exchanging vows, the groom (alone or together with his parents and other relatives) symbolically welcomes the bride into his family; using a silver pin, traditionally of Scottish design, he fastens a shawl or sash in his clan's tartan colors around the bride's shoulders. If you don't have an actual tartan, consider using a beloved family quilt or other fabric heirloom.
HAWAII
Leis
Exchange leis at the start of the ceremony to signify the sweetness of your love. First, the bride presents a garland to the groom, which dates to when a woman left a lei on the doorstep of her chosen guy. For weddings, brides wear fragrant flowers like tuberose; maile leaf is popular for grooms. And since it's OK to kiss after the lei exchange, you don't have to wait till the end of the ceremony!
SPAIN & SOUTH AMERICA
Gold Coins
The groom gifts the bride with arras, 13 gold or silver coins that represent tenets of marriage such as trust, respect, commitment and harmony. The coins symbolize the groom's commitment to the bride (as if he is giving her control of all his worldly possessions), as well as the couple's dedication to each contributing to the relationship
AMERICAN SOUTHWEST
Wedding Vase
To honor Native American spirituality and reverence for nature, toast your new union with water or herbal tea from a traditional wedding vase (a hand-painted ceramic pot with a spout on each side). To symbolize the couple's individuality and unity,
the bride takes a drink first, and then she hands the vase to the groom, who drinks from the opposite side.
BERMUDA
Moon Gate
Following the ceremony, walk hand in hand under one of the island's moon gates — limestone archways with Chinese origin that serve as a national symbol. Similar to wedding rings', their circular shape signifies unity. Couples who kiss under a moon gate are said to enjoy good luck and a long life together. (Bermuda's oldest moon gate is in Par-la-Ville Park.)
