The Top 6 Tips for A Successful Cross-Cultural Wedding Celebration
Bringing together two families - with two very different sets of expectations for what the big day should entail - can be a tricky part of anyone’s wedding planning. And that’s even beforeyou throw in a difference in cultural backgrounds! Being raised in two different cultures means that, as a couple, you might have different ways of communicating, a different understanding of family dynamics, and a different way of looking at the world. So how can you make your union work, when you’re also uniting two different cultures? To celebrate National Harmony Day, we’re delving into the world of cross-cultural wedding planning, and sharing the top six tips to ensure your celebrations are a rousing success.
- Say it with a sand ceremony
Firstly, you’ll need to decide whether your wedding is going to feature two distinct ceremonies, or if you’ll host a combined ceremony that celebrates elements of both cultures. Budget and logistics might help make this decision an easy one, so to keep it simple, you could opt to participate in some other rituals that will celebrate your love. A Crystal Heart Unity Sand Ceremony is one easy way to do just that. This simple idea can be incredibly powerful, with the pouring of different sand colours expressing the coming together of two people or two families into one new family.
- Dress to impress
A beautiful, visual way to demonstrate your unity is to dress in cultural attire for the wedding ceremony. Alternatively, for a subtler approach, you can incorporate smaller accessories, such as traditional fabrics or prints, headdresses or scarves, either in your own ensemble or across your bridal party. If you’d like to get your guests involved, simply request that they wear a specific colour or piece of clothing as a nod to your respective heritages.
- Promote familiarity through the wedding feast
Many venues will be flexible on catering or allow you to bring in a few outside items of food that give a cultural flavour to your wedding meal. If you’re organising all of the catering yourself, even better! Offer a buffet station that’s themed to ensure each guest can select their own preferences, or serve multiple courses that are each designed to highlight an element of your cultures. So that your guests know what they’re tucking into, and also understand the cultural influence behind your choices, create a personalised menu to display that will also double as a memento you’ll treasure for years to come, like this Engraved Wooden Wedding Cheese Board Menu.
- Symbolic stationery and diverse decorations
Your wedding invites are the first place you can showcase the theme and inspiration behind your wedding choices. Honour your heritage by creating your own Personalised Invitations and incorporating the colours, flags or symbols of your two cultures – it’ll help your guests to know what they can expect on the big day, too. You might also like to incorporate special, symbolic colours in your wedding decorations and theming, or let your guests take a piece of the celebrations home by creating your own original, customised Wedding Favours.
- Sing a song from your hearts
Music is both an important element of many cultures, and a unifying element that can be enjoyed by people of all backgrounds. You can use music as a fun and festive way to bring both cultures together during your ceremony and reception, and for the not-so-faint-of-heart, learn some traditional dances to wow everyone with on the dancefloor! If this doesn’t feel like your cup of tea, you can take the pressure off by hiring professional entertainers, like a Mariachi band, Italian opera singer, or a Greek or Irish dancing troop.
- Keep the lines of communication open
Like any successful wedding celebration, communication is key, and it makes life a lot easier if you can commit to some parameters from the start. While It's nice to incorporate traditional elements from both cultures, remember that It's also about the two of you embarking on your future together. It's OK to make decisions that make you happy, rather than being completely guided by your family’s wishes.
Making your wedding a successful, personal, and harmonious day Now you know the secrets to planning a truly spectacular cross-cultural wedding celebration, find every detail to make your big day a success at PersonalisedFavours.com.au
Team PF. X