Family Tips

For a casual fun wedding, brides and grooms usually put on their favorite clothes - those that will show their true selves; they choose a favorite color, style or designer. You may also ask your friends and guests to wear your favorite colors, or choose an unusual wedding cake decorated to show your new home.

Exchange gifts showing how much you love each other. Share foods from your cultures to represent your bond to each other. Give each other roses that symbolize your feelings and love and say “I love you” and promise to do the same in the future. Sign a ceremonial marriage contract and ask your friends to add their names to the list.

Do at least a brief research into your and your spouse’s cultural traditions. Such traditions are often simple but powerful. You may make Japanese good luck origami heron or take a hint from Orthodox and Jewish traditions and pass round the ceremonial table to reinforce your marital bond. For a fun you may even jump the broom to honor the African-American heritage.

The season of your marriage may be emphasized by using blooming flowers from a garden. Your choice of a place for a wedding ceremony can be a symbol of your personalities and the values you share.