Cross-cultural weddings are becoming a norm, couples from different backgrounds are marching towards just one thing: Love. These couples represent love, and unity not just between two individuals but their families, cultures and traditions. These weddings are pure bliss of unity, love and culture but it comes with its own kind of challenges to make sure all traditions are respected. This article will take a deep dive into the Do’s and Don’ts to avoid these challenges for any couple planning their cross-cultural wedding.
Cross-Cultural wedding do’s & don’ts
Do’s:
1. Do Involve Both Families: A cross-cultural wedding is a spectacle that celebrates love, with both the families and their culture. Ensure both families are part of the decision making process and create a system for open and inclusive communication early in the wedding planning process. Start with sitting down with both the families and just be open and understanding about which traditions and customs you want to include in the wedding. The inclusivity and involvement will make the families feel respected and create understanding between both parties early on, so there’s no disharmony later on.
2. Do Research Cultural Traditions: Coming from different backgrounds, each individual will have a cultural custom that would signify something personal for them and their family. Research the cultural traditions, understand the meaning behind, so they can be performed at the ceremony with respect and love. For example, in Hindu weddings, “saptapadi” or seven steps are taken to signifying the couple’s journey together, whereas in Jewish weddings, there’s a custom to break the glass signifying the destruction of the temple to remind them about life’s fragility. Proper understanding and respect will make sure that the traditions are not just included but accepted and acknowledged with authenticity.
3. Do Create a Unified Ceremony: The wedding needs to showcase the unification of two individuals, their cultures, traditions and values which is why blending traditions of both cultures is necessary. Combine elements from both backgrounds, exchange vows in your languages, add symbolic rituals that represent your love and culture, or even ask the officiant to explain the meaning behind thaw traditions for your guests. If possible, why not hire a bilingual officiant who can seamlessly speak both languages to make sure all guests feel included. These small things can mean so much to your partner, their family and friends.
- Do Respect Dietary Preferences and Restrictions: Understanding the dietary restrictions of the culture is important, with so many cultures with food preferences and restrictions whether it be religious practices, cultural beliefs or personal reasons, a ceremony with that consideration will ensure happy guests, happy families and happy couple. For example, some cultures prefer vegetarian or halal food options, while others may have strict rules about the way the food is prepared. Work with the caterer to offer a diverse menu that has options to include the needs of your guests, and reflects both the cultures. Because this shows respect and acceptance of various backgrounds of your loved ones.
- Do Seek Expert Guidance: If you think planning a normal wedding is difficult, try planning a cross-cultural wedding. Get a wedding planner who has experience in multicultural events, their insights can make the whole process to blend cultural elements that honor both traditions easier and ensure smooth execution of the ceremony. The wedding planner can also help you find the right vendors that understand the cultural requirements and the couple’s vision in terms of decor, catering and entertainment. A global platform like Wedded Wonderland Concierge can help you connect with world-class luxury, cultural and destination planners, vendors and venues who will make your life easier.
- Do Embrace the Blend of Styles: In a cross-cultural wedding you get the best of both worlds, embrace this blend and play around with the design aesthetics and styles that represent this unification of two individuals and their cultures because your wedding should represent your story. It could be the color choices for the flowers, decor or just music, a merge of cultural elements will create something unique, personal and visually pleasing while symbolising your love. For example, you might choose to incorporate traditional wedding outfits from both cultures, or may opt for a blend of décor that represents both backgrounds.
Confused about what traditions to keep and which ones to cut at your cross-cultural wedding? Read more about it here.
Photo by Jess Imirie Photography
Don’ts:
1. Don’t Overlook Cultural Sensitivities: The blending of cultures is so poetic and beautiful, but be mindful of cultural sensitivities and make sure to beware of your actions that could be considered disrespectful to the other’s tradition. It can involve anything from misuse of a sacred symbol or tradition and considered to be inappropriate which is why researching and understanding the traditions is important so there’s no misrepresentation or disrespect.
2. Don’t Ignore the Language Barrier: Be mindful about the language gap at cross-cultural ceremonies, because the guests come from different backgrounds. Add elements that can bridge this gap. Ensuring translations are available for key parts of the wedding like during the exchange of vows or family toasts is a respectful gesture. If guests do not speak the language used at the wedding, providing translated programs or getting bilingual signage can make them feel included in your celebrations.
3. Don’t Let Family Conflicts Ruin the Celebration: Family dynamics are complicated, and with the addition of cultural differences, tensions can arise. Open communication that includes both families can help in avoiding misunderstandings in the future that can cause disruptions in the wedding. The couples would have to be flexible and patient. Every culture has a lot of traditions, and knowing that not all of them can be honored which is why compromises will be needed. Mutual respect and understanding between both the families will make the entire process that much easier on the wedding day.
4. Don’t Forget to Address Different Expectations: Cultural expectation may vary when it comes to the wedding ceremonies, level of formality or even the role of the couple. For example, in some cultures, weddings need to be larger than life and lavish with a huge guestlist whereas in some cultures intimate ceremonies are the norm. Understand these differences, discuss openly and compromise to meet in the middle to set clear boundaries and priorities in the early stages of the planning process.
5. Don’t Rush Through Important Rituals: Traditions and cultures often have deep meaning and significance, so avoid rushing the rituals to get to the reception or the after-party. You need to take your time to honor each tradition and show respect. It’ll in turn make the families feel respected. Whether it is lighting the candles, performing sacred rites or exchanging gifts, each custom is not just symbolic but an opportunity to connect with your partner’s culture and heritage. At the end of the day, your union is that of two people from different backgrounds, use this opportunity to understand them and their culture better.
Let’s make your cross-cultural wedding hassle-free, Wedded Wonderland Concierge’s global network of Luxury, Cultural and Destination Planner, Vendors and Venues that will be matched to perfection by us to ensure your vision and requirements are met.
With our multi-cultural wedding planners and vendors, we got your back. Sign up now to use the Wedded Wonderland Concierge.
