Classic Canadian Wedding Traditions To Include in Your Celebrations

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Classic Canadian Wedding Traditions To Include in Your Celebrations

The rituals surrounding weddings can change faster than many people can track. If you’ve always pictured having a classic affair that includes many Canadian traditions, you might find it difficult to know which are worth your time. From tea parties to sliding around the dance floor in socks, there are some fun ideas to consider incorporating into your own festivities. Review these suggestions and get a better feel for the customs that have made weddings across Canada special for generations. 

The Canadian Tea Party

To keep a guest list from growing out of control, couples have to make cuts. Unfortunately, sometimes the people excluded from the event are good friends and associates. One tradition that has been slowly fading is the “trousseau tea party.” This is a small luncheon held by the couple before the wedding and attended by those who didn’t make the official guest list. Initially, this event was arranged by the mother of the bride. Nowadays, couples who decide to partake in a trousseau tea party will put together the gatherings themselves. 

The Canadian Toast

Wedding toasts are one of the more commonplace rituals. Nowadays, it has become custom for the toasts to be given by members of the wedding party or immediate relatives of the couple. However, there has been another popular way to go about toasting in Canada that might be worth considering for your event. Instead of having people talk about you, this toast tradition involves the couple getting up and toasting to the couples who have inspired them. 

This tradition is one that can be fun to incorporate because it is unexpected and sweet. Most guests at a wedding get a little bored during the toasts, especially when the person speaking isn’t engaging. When the couple decides to speak, however, everyone in the room listens. This is your day, and toasting to the couples who have shown you perfect examples of love and commitment can be a great way to bring good energy into your union. 

The Socks

There is a famous scene in the film “Risky Business” when actor Tom Cruise slides across a wood floor in his socks while dancing and singing. Though this scene didn’t inspire the next tradition, the general idea is the same. The sock dance ritual popular at many Canadian weddings is one that is usually conducted by the siblings of the happy couple. The brothers and sisters will hit the dance floor wearing their socks and commit to sliding and dancing as a way of entertaining the rest of the guests.

The dances can be as serious or silly as the siblings wish, whatever will get the rest of the guests up and engaged. Traditionally, the guests would throw money at the dancers as a way of encouraging them. When the dances are done, the money would be collected from around the floor, stuffed in a sock, and given to the couple as a gift. This is a fun way to get your siblings to act foolish at your behest and make a few bucks along the way. 

The Emcee

Hiring an emcee for a wedding is one trend that seems to be rising in popularity in recent years. Essentially, the emcee acts as part entertainer and part coordinator. He or she will announce important moments like the first dance, the cutting of the cake, and the speakers giving toasts. The emcee can also try to hype the crowd when energy is low or interact with the guests in a lively way. You can hire someone for this job or ask a good friend with an energetic personality to take the role. 

A wedding can include whatever traditions you wish. Whether you go with classic Canadian rituals or customs from elsewhere, you should always opt for what has the most meaning to you.

Classic Canadian Wedding Traditions To Include in Your Celebrations

The rituals surrounding weddings can change faster than many people can track. If you’ve always pictured having a classic affair that includes many Canadian traditions, you might find it difficult to know which are worth your time. From tea parties to sliding around the dance floor in socks, there are some fun ideas to consider incorporating into your own festivities. Review these suggestions and get a better feel for the customs that have made weddings across Canada special for generations. 

The Canadian Tea Party

To keep a guest list from growing out of control, couples have to make cuts. Unfortunately, sometimes the people excluded from the event are good friends and associates. One tradition that has been slowly fading is the “trousseau tea party.” This is a small luncheon held by the couple before the wedding and attended by those who didn’t make the official guest list. Initially, this event was arranged by the mother of the bride. Nowadays, couples who decide to partake in a trousseau tea party will put together the gatherings themselves. 

The Canadian Toast

Wedding toasts are one of the more commonplace rituals. Nowadays, it has become custom for the toasts to be given by members of the wedding party or immediate relatives of the couple. However, there has been another popular way to go about toasting in Canada that might be worth considering for your event. Instead of having people talk about you, this toast tradition involves the couple getting up and toasting to the couples who have inspired them. 

This tradition is one that can be fun to incorporate because it is unexpected and sweet. Most guests at a wedding get a little bored during the toasts, especially when the person speaking isn’t engaging. When the couple decides to speak, however, everyone in the room listens. This is your day, and toasting to the couples who have shown you perfect examples of love and commitment can be a great way to bring good energy into your union. 

The Socks

There is a famous scene in the film “Risky Business” when actor Tom Cruise slides across a wood floor in his socks while dancing and singing. Though this scene didn’t inspire the next tradition, the general idea is the same. The sock dance ritual popular at many Canadian weddings is one that is usually conducted by the siblings of the happy couple. The brothers and sisters will hit the dance floor wearing their socks and commit to sliding and dancing as a way of entertaining the rest of the guests.

The dances can be as serious or silly as the siblings wish, whatever will get the rest of the guests up and engaged. Traditionally, the guests would throw money at the dancers as a way of encouraging them. When the dances are done, the money would be collected from around the floor, stuffed in a sock, and given to the couple as a gift. This is a fun way to get your siblings to act foolish at your behest and make a few bucks along the way. 

The Emcee

Hiring an emcee for a wedding is one trend that seems to be rising in popularity in recent years. Essentially, the emcee acts as part entertainer and part coordinator. He or she will announce important moments like the first dance, the cutting of the cake, and the speakers giving toasts. The emcee can also try to hype the crowd when energy is low or interact with the guests in a lively way. You can hire someone for this job or ask a good friend with an energetic personality to take the role. 

A wedding can include whatever traditions you wish. Whether you go with classic Canadian rituals or customs from elsewhere, you should always opt for what has the most meaning to you.

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