Classic Canadian Wedding Traditions To Include In Your Wedding
Weddings have become quite different in recent years. While traditions always change surrounding marriage, more couples are opting to create unique events instead of following old paths. Still, there are many who wish to include some classic rituals in their celebrations. Often, family traditions can work wonders to make your big day feel special. If you don’t have any specific customs in your family you want to include, you might want to broaden your search to the traditions of the nation. There have been some truly interesting Canadian wedding traditions that have come and gone over the years.
Whether you’re native to Canada, a transplant, or just a big fan of the place, you may find it helpful to learn more about these classic customs. These traditions might just inspire you to include one or two in your own event.
Tea Time
A nice cup of tea has a way of warming the spirit. It also can be lovely to share a pot with friends and indulge in conversation and laughter. If you agree with this sentiment, then the custom of Trousseau Tea might be great for your wedding. Customarily, this involves the mother of the bride hosting a luncheon in honor of the bride and her approaching marriage. The event is also made to include anyone who might not have been invited to the actual wedding. Coworkers, loose acquaintances, and neighbors might want to come by and wish the bride well.
The name of this tradition comes from the word trousseau, or the collection of gifts a bride receives for her upcoming marriage. Though Trousseau Tea was once a regular affair for brides and their friends, modern traditions have pushed it toward antiquity. If you’d like to breathe some new life into the tradition, you can host your own Trousseau Tea. Serve your favorite blend, offer some finger foods, and take a bit of time to have a casual gathering with a handful of people you love.
Party Train
Across Canada there have been some fun traditions that have appeared over the years. A certain French-Canadian tradition involves where everyone meets on the day of the event. According to this custom, the groomsmen are to prepare for the wedding with the groom and the bridesmaids with the bride. After getting ready, the groomsmen take the groom to the house of the bride. Both groups then split between as many cars as possible, forming a long train of vehicles that travel to the ceremony. Along the way, members of the wedding party are encouraged to shout and honk in celebration.
Now, this is a tradition that will work better for some crowds than others. If you are the type of person who loves raucous celebrations, then this is definitely a custom for you. On the other hand, you might want to have a quiet morning and make your way to your ceremony without feeling stressed or rushed. Either way, the tradition is a nice way for the closest friends and family members of the happy couple to publicly express their joy over the union.
Collecting Money
There are many wedding customs around the world involving money. Since these events are usually expensive, it makes total sense that traditions would form around showering the happy couple with cash. One Canadian tradition involves the bride dancing around the reception while holding her shoes. The idea is for the guests to approach the bride and place money in the shoes to help pay for the event and to show some good faith in the future of the marriage. Though still popular in some regions, this tradition has slowly faded away in other areas.
Traditions come and go as time marches forward. Find rituals you connect with and include whatever feels right.