Exploring The European Wedding Tradition Of Bridesmaids

The wedding traditions and customs of Europe vary greatly across the continent. From bridal processions to cake-cutting, each country has its own unique rituals. In some European countries, bridesmaids are not part of the wedding party. For example, in Spain, there is no tradition of having groomsmen or bridesmaids. However, in modern times, many European countries have adopted the classic tradition of American bridesmaids. So, while Europeans may not have bridesmaids in the traditional sense, they often have female attendants who play a similar role.

In France, weddings don't tend to have bridesmaids or best men, but witnesses

In France, weddings are a little different from those in other parts of the world. While the classic throwing of the bouquet is a common tradition, French weddings don't tend to have bridesmaids or best men. Instead, they have what is known as 'witnesses'. The ceremonies are split into two parts: a civil ceremony attended by close family and friends for the marriage certificate, and a religious wedding, which is the main celebration.

French weddings also have unique traditions that add a romantic and whimsical touch. For example, the wedding parade is a charming custom often performed in small villages. On the morning of the wedding, the groom arrives at the home of his bride-to-be, and together they walk to the chapel in a procession led by musicians. The bride walks with her father, followed by guests and family, with the groom and his mother bringing up the rear. As they walk, village children stretch white ribbons across the road for the bride to cut as she passes.

Another delightful tradition is the croquembouche, a tower of cream-filled pastries piled high and often dipped in caramel or other delicious sauces. It is served in place of a wedding cake, and if the couple manages to share a kiss over the tower without knocking it over, it is said they will live a life of prosperity.

French weddings also have a focus on the civility and harmony of the two families, with less emphasis placed on gender. For instance, when a bride receives a gift of jewellery from her groom, she is able to offer another type of gift in return.

The tradition of following the bride and groom is called 'La noce' in French, which translates to 'the wedding'. Guests follow the newlyweds to different locations throughout the day, making as much noise as possible to celebrate the union.

In Germany, the night before the wedding, couples invite people to the bride's house to smash porcelain, believed to bring good luck

In Germany, the night before the wedding, couples take part in a tradition known as Polterabend, where they invite people to the bride's house to smash porcelain, believed to bring good luck. The word comes from the phrase "noisy evening", which is easy to imagine given the clamour of breaking crockery! This custom is part of a pre-wedding party, usually celebrated the night before the wedding, giving family and friends a chance to get together and have some fun.

The tradition of smashing porcelain and stoneware before a wedding is thought to get rid of evil spirits. Other German wedding traditions include abducting the bride, where the groom must find her in a restaurant or pub and pay the bill, and sawing a large log together, emphasising the importance of working together.

German weddings are not the only ones with unique customs. In Greece, the families host a krevati, where the couple's marital bed is decorated with flowers, ribbons, and rice, and children and money are placed on the mattress for prosperity and fertility. In Italy, the bride carries a small trinket, such as a small rip in her veil, to bring good luck, and guests are encouraged to wear green for luck.

French weddings are known for their wedding parades, where the groom arrives at the bride's home on the morning of the wedding, and they walk together to the chapel, followed by guests and family. French weddings also feature a croquembouche, a tower of small cakes piled high, which the couple must kiss over to ensure a life of prosperity.

While European weddings vary, they often have fewer pre-wedding activities than American weddings. For example, British weddings do not have bridal showers or rehearsal dinners, and Spanish weddings do not have groomsmen or bridesmaids.

In Italy, the groom sings a serenade to his bride-to-be and gives her the bouquet

In Italy, the groom serenades his bride-to-be and presents her with the bouquet, marking the start of the wedding celebrations. This custom is part of a broader set of Italian wedding traditions that showcase the couple's superstitions and cultural heritage.

Italian grooms often carry a small piece of iron in their pocket to ward off evil spirits, while brides rip their veils to invite good luck. Guests are encouraged to wear green for luck, and the couple is showered with rice as they exit the church, symbolising fertility. The Italian folk dance, La Tarantella, is another way guests express their well-wishes for the newlyweds. The dance involves participants forming a circle and racing clockwise until the music speeds up, at which point they switch directions. As the tempo changes, so do the dancers' movements, spinning faster and faster until they collapse into a joyous heap.

In addition to these unique Italian customs, the wedding also includes some broader European traditions. For example, the groom traditionally does not see the bride before the ceremony, a superstition shared across many parts of Europe. The bride's dress is not white, another common feature of European weddings, particularly in Italy, where white dresses are forbidden.

Italian weddings also showcase the country's renowned cuisine, with lengthy food festivals that offer an abundance of delicious dishes for guests to savour. Sugar-coated almonds, known as "confetti," are given to the couple as a token of good luck. This custom is the origin of the Italian word for confetti, which is now used to refer to the small pieces of coloured paper thrown at celebrations.

The groom's serenade and bouquet presentation are just the beginning of these vibrant and meaningful wedding traditions, which blend Italian superstition, cultural heritage, and culinary delights to create a memorable celebration for the couple and their guests.

In Greece, the bride and groom are crowned with flowers and evergreen leaves, symbolising fertility

The crowns are usually made with white flowers, such as orange blossoms or roses, and evergreen leaves, such as olive branches, thyme, and basil. These plants are native to Greece and carry symbolic meaning. For example, olive leaves symbolise prosperity, peace, hope, and resurrection. Thyme and basil were used in ancient times to honour Adephagia, the goddess who revealed the secrets of herbs to the ancient Greeks.

The crowning ceremony is conducted by the priest, who holds the crowns in his right hand and blesses the bride and groom three times before placing the crowns on their heads. The Koumbaros, or "sponsor" of the marriage, then exchanges the crowns between the couple three times. The crowns are often displayed at the reception and later preserved in specialised cases, called stephanothiki, for display above the marriage bed in the couple's home.

In addition to the crowning, other unique Greek wedding traditions include the exchange of engagement rings, the preparation of the marital bed, and the smashing of plates at the reception. Greek weddings are also known for their lively dances, such as the Tsamiko, the Kalamatiano, and the Sirtaki.

In Spain, there is no tradition of groomsmen or bridesmaids

At the wedding ceremony, the couple stands alone at the altar, without a bridal party. This is in keeping with the Catholic tradition, which is common in Spain. In fact, Spanish weddings are traditionally Catholic, with couples opting for a church ceremony rather than an outdoor or non-denominational setting.

While Spanish weddings are lively, with at least 200 guests, they do not include the bridal party that is typical of weddings in other cultures. Instead, the focus is on the couple and their families. This is reflected in the seating arrangement at the reception, where the head table is set for the couple and their parents.

Although Spanish weddings are steeped in tradition, they have also evolved over time. For example, while weddings used to begin in the afternoon and last all night, it is now common for them to be held in the morning or afternoon. Additionally, while it was once customary for the groom's friends to cut up his tie and sell the pieces to guests to raise money, this tradition is becoming less common.

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