Something Borrowed: Traditions from Around the World

As we approach the end of June, we are sad to say goodbye to our month of wedding traditions. However, as we get closer to one end, we are also taking our first steps toward a new, exciting beginning. We will be opening in our new location in less than two weeks and our whole team agrees that this adventure feels surreal. We are all going to miss our location in downtown Warren greatly, but change can only be for the better. We hope you are all getting excited too and we can't wait to reveal our gorgeous new store to all of our loyal customers!

In the spirit of change, we are talking about wedding traditions once more this month, but with a little twist. Many brides today are still deeply connected to their roots and their culture. For example, big Italian, Irish, and Greek families are still around and have generations of wedding traditions that will likely never fade out. However, some brides come from a line of mixed cultures and traditions and choosing which to honor on the big day may not always be the easiest decision.

For this final June post, we invite you to take a tour around the world with us! Perhaps your "something borrowed" can be one of these timeless traditions from a different culture or one of the many that make up your ancestry.

South Africa:
It's tradition in South Africa for the parents of the bride and groom to bring fire from their own homes to light the hearth of the newlyweds. The act is a symbol of unity as they bring together fire and light from their own childhoods into a fireplace they will both share.

Jumping the broom is another tradition from South Africa in which the newlyweds hop over a broom to symbolize sweeping away the past and leaping into their future together!

Poland:
A fun Polish wedding tradition is known as the money dance. Guests are invited to share a one-on-one dance with the bride, for a donation of course. The maid of honor is in charge of collecting the money which then goes toward the honeymoon fund. In more adventurous families, such as mine, the guests are given a shot to toss back before joining the bride on the dance floor!

Germany:
In Germany, it is customary for the bride and groom to immediately test the strength of their union after saying "I do." The newlyweds must prove their ability to work together as they saw a log in half in front of their guests. That sounds like an awful lot of hard work!

India:
In India, it is popular tradition to draw elaborate henna designs on the hands of the bride as well as her female friends and family members. Henna has many spiritual meanings and is generally used to show the intricate bond between a man and his wife.



Ireland:
Handfasting is an ancient Irish tradition in which the hands of the bride and groom are tied together with rope or ribbon to signify their unity. A similar tradition can be found in other cultures and is noted as the root of the famous phrase "tying the knot."

Peru/England:
In place of the bouquet toss, in is tradition for single female guests to participate in a different event in Peru. The wedding cake is made to include several pieces of ribbon baked into the layers. The female guests each pull a ribbon and the one to pull out a ring is said to be the next to marry. A slightly different version is done in England in which each ribbon has a different charm on the end and they are designed to tell the guest's future.

Labyrinth
One tradition that's gained some popularity is one that can be seen in a few different cultures. A wedding involving a labyrinth includes the bride and groom walking the path separately and joining in the middle for their ceremony. At the end, the two walk out together to symbolize the unity of their paths in life.

Which wedding traditions would you "borrow" for your special day?

Photo Credit: matara; buzzfeed; theknot; flatbrokebride

Sources: bridalguide; buzzfeed; destinationweddingmag; labyrinthsociety

5 Ways to Put a Vintage Twist on Wedding Traditions

Happy first week of March, ladies! We are kicking off the month with one of my personal favorite wedding themes: Vintage! Like they say in the fashion world, old trends never die, they simply get recycled. Well bust out the pearls and pop in your DVD copy of The Great Gatsby, because this theme is back in style and we've compiled a list of our 5 favorite ways to put an elegant, vintage twist on some popular wedding traditions.

1. The Bouquet
The bouquet has long been a symbol of fertility and good fortune, and we love the idea of incorporating it into your theme. Adding pearls, lace, flowers made from old books, and even metals are a fantastic way to add a fun flare to this passé tradition.

Bonus: You don't have to worry about your flowers wilting and the bouquet can easily be preserved in a shadowbox or used as a decorative centerpiece for future gatherings!

2. Something Blue
Your "Something Blue" symbolizes the love and fidelity you share with your partner, and there's no better way to showcase these values than with a blue stone wedding ring! With options like blue topaz, sapphires, and even blue diamonds, you can be as subtle or as bold as you want. Check out some of our stunning favorites; the delicate setting and pop of color are the perfect combination of old and new!

Already have your rings picked out? Try a touch of blue with a pair of earrings or a vintage inspired bracelet!

3. The Veil
The veil represents modesty and youth, and was originally thought to ward off evil spirits. If you want to add a retro spin on this tradition, ditch the cathedral veil and opt for an exquisite birdcage veil, fascinator, or intricate headband! These chic headpieces give you the freedom to honor the custom while also getting a little playful. 

Bonus: After you've said "I do," the netting of a birdcage veil can be folded, scrunched, and secured in a low bun for a unique reception-hair embellishment!


4. The Getaway Car
When looking to make a grand departure from your vintage wedding, we recommend keeping it classic; classic car that is. What better way to make an exit than speeding off in a Model T or blowing kisses from a refurbished Volkswagen? Go a step further by stringing decorated, old-fashioned cans to the bumper for an added touch of old school vibes.

5. The Dress
 Traditionally, brides wear a white dress on their wedding day to symbolize purity, but a tea-length gown in ivory might be just the ticket to perfecting the antique look. Furthermore, the great thing about a vintage theme is that it's the ultimate throwback, meaning that your mother's and grandmother's gowns are fair game. If you don't want to wear their dress as is, ask a professional to help you sew pieces of their gown onto yours or create a one-of-a-kind jacket (assuming you get their permission!)

Bonus: Wearing or incorporating a loved one's gown is the perfect way to get your "Something Old" or "Something Borrowed!"

Getting inspired? Tell us about your favorite vintage wedding ideas!

Photo Credits: bluepetyl; buzzfeed; rocknrollbride; etsybouquet; thecluelessgirl; etsyring; ylang23; etsybracelet; etsyring; thebridaldetective; etsyheadband; praisewedding; blogof.francescomugnai; confettidaydreams; tbstyles; ianstuart-bride