Love is a universal feeling. And, when two people vow to spend the rest of their lives in union, it’s usually a cause for a momentous celebration worthy of well wishes and festivities. Although not all love stories end in blissful matrimony, we cannot help but appreciate the power of love and the many ways in which it is expressed worldwide. One of the most fascinating things about our society is how the same occasion can be carried out differently amongst various cultures and countries. Just as cultural customs are diverse, so are the traditions and rituals surrounding marriage and wedding occasions. Innumerable wedding traditions from around the globe symbolize wealth, romance, unity, and health.
In honor of the wedding season, we’ve taken a closer look into the most awe-inspiring wedding traditions from around the world. Let’s take a closer look at traditional wedding gifts and wedding traditions that go well beyond the bouquet toss.
Wedding Traditions From Around the Globe:
Wedding customs and rituals are passed down to the following generations in many places. From China to Ireland, wedding traditions differ depending on the country and time period. Let’s take a closer look at some wedding traditions around the world.
India
Traditionally, Indian weddings are multi-day affairs that involve many intricate rituals and ceremonies. One of the most common traditions is the beautiful custom, which consists of painting the bride’s hands and feet the day before the wedding. Garlands are presented to guests of honor instead of corsages, and many flowers are thrown for good luck.
China
In China, there is a unique ritual that involves the prospective husband shooting his bride with a bow and (head-less) arrow several times. He then collects all of the arrows and breaks them. A symbolic way to cement their love is everlasting.
Mexico
During a Mexican wedding ceremony, the couple will exchange their vows while a necklace made of rosary beads and flowers is draped around their shoulders in the shape of a figure eight. Not only does the garland represent the couple’s union, but its shape also resembles the infinity symbol, signifying how long they hope the marriage will last.
Italy
Italian weddings are rich with symbolism and tradition, and newlyweds often expect gifts from their guests. During the gift-giving ceremony, it is common for guests to shower the couple with extravagant gifts as a means to show respect to the bride and groom. For Italians, wedding gifts usually reflect the community position of the families, so the more prominent the family, the more lavish and costly the gift.
Ireland
A practice with roots formed in ancient Celtic tradition; the handfasting ritual still occurs at Irish wedding ceremonies today. Beginning with the bride and groom crossing their own hands over one another and holding each other, right hand to right hand and left hand to left hand, the priest wraps a ribbon around their wrists and hands in the symbolism of union and connection. This is where the term ‘Tying the Knot’ originates.
Ideas For Traditional Wedding Gifts: For Couples
Although most of us aren’t hopping on a flight to our next destination wedding anytime soon, we can appreciate the various ways in which love is celebrated around the globe. Now that we’ve explored a few worldwide wedding traditions let’s take a closer look at some of the more common wedding curiosities. Starting with wedding gift ideas. We understand that shopping for a wedding gift isn’t always the easiest task.
While it’s common for most couples to have a wedding registry, sometimes you want to branch outside the box and make a gift extra special. When considering a budget, it’s important to find the ideal balance between giving an affordable yet valuable gift. Always remember that the perfect wedding gift doesn’t have to be extravagant- it just needs to be thoughtful and special.
Tip: Home items are always a no-fail option, especially when you can personalize them with a “Mr and Mrs” monogram. There’s also something to be said for more meaningful gifts that help the new couple create memories together, like a cookbook for family recipes or a photo album for upcoming holidays.
How Much Should I Spend on Traditional Wedding Gifts?
Selecting a wedding present for each occasion can be a serious source of stress for wedding guests. Questions like, “How much do you give for a wedding gift?” “When do you buy the gift?” and “Can you buy gifts outside the registry?” start to come up.
So to answer your question, how much should you spend on a wedding gift? It really depends on your personal budget and what you can afford. Don’t feel pressured to purchase a gift outside your price range. Keeping note of your personal relationship with the couple is an excellent way to determine how much you should spend:
Employee or distant friend – $70 to $85
Friend or relative – $80 to $100
A close relative or best friend – $100 to $150
What to Write in a Wedding Gift Card:
Adding a meaningful note alongside your present will surely bring warm and cozy feelings of affection. If you’re stumped on what to write inside a wedding card, don’t worry, we’ve rounded up some of the best wedding wishes you can include in your gift card. Whether it’s your best friend, favorite co-worker, or family member, this roundup will let the wedding pair know how much you care:
“Wishing you a lifetime of wedding bliss.”
“May today be the beginning of a new tomorrow that you will cherish forever.”
“May your love burn brightly forever.”
“Hoping that the love you share today grows stronger as you get older together.”
Wedding Gift Etiquette: The Do’s and Don’ts of Traditional Wedding Gifts
If you’ve received a wedding invitation but aren’t sure about proper gift etiquette, these do’s and don’ts will help solve the puzzling question. “What gift should I get?” Before deciding what gift to get the couple, let’s dive into the dos and don’ts of wedding gifts.
Don’t
Stray too far off of the registry. Remember that the couple has thoughtfully selected gifts that they would love to have in their new home, so straying away from items they actually want might not be the best.
Do
Send a present even if you can’t attend the wedding. If you’ve recently received an invitation but cannot attend the ceremony, it is proper etiquette to still send a gift to the couple. It’s simply a thoughtful way of saying “congratulations”.
Don’t
Don’t bring the gift to the wedding ceremony. You don’t want to be the guest that leaves the burden of transporting gifts at the end of the night. When it comes to wedding gift-giving, it’s best to ship any items or money by mail.
Do
Send your wedding gift close to the wedding date. There is no specific time limit to sending a wedding present, but it would be best to send the gift before you receive a thank you card from the newlyweds. The ideal time to give your gift is either 3 months before the wedding or no later than 3 months after the wedding.
Wedding Bells and Baskets
Now that we’ve explored traditional wedding gifts and wedding traditions around the globe, the time has come for you to explore our Main page and discover the beautiful gifts you can send to the newlyweds. Don’t forget, the earlier your order, the better!
If you have any questions or concerns, our team is on standby 24/7, ready to assist you!
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Born and raised in her beloved mother city Cape Town, Amy-Paige Cox is a writer, poet and plant mom. A hopeless romantic at heart, she loves exploring different parts of the world, all the while documenting her ever-changing perspectives with pen and paper. Although tempted by numerous interests, her life-long goal is to be a globe-trotting children’s book author.