EVT204A: Research Report on Wedding Traditions in Various Cultures

This research report, prepared for EVT204A Wedding Planning, offers a detailed exploration of wedding traditions in Japan, France, Italy, and India. It begins with an executive summary and table of contents, followed by an introduction highlighting the significance of cultural customs in wedding planning. The report then delves into specific traditions, including engagement rituals, wedding ceremonies, and reception customs, illustrated with relevant figures and images. The Japanese section covers San San Kudo, Shiromuku, and the wedding menu. The French section examines Le Vin d'Honneur, La Danse de la Brioche, and the Croquembouche. The Italian section explores engagement practices, wedding ceremonies, and the importance of food and music. Finally, the Indian section details Mehndi and Haldi ceremonies, along with the significance of the bride's attire and key wedding rituals. The report concludes with a synthesis of the findings, providing valuable insights for understanding and planning traditional cultural weddings.

Research Report
EVT204A Wedding Planning
Name: Mahan Raut
Date: 03/26/2022

Executive Summary
Wedding ceremony in each culture and country possesses its own unique style and tradition of
festival. The way weddings are celebrated in different cultures is different. In some cultures,
weddings are still celebrated in a traditional way whereas in some cultures due to new laws,
public opinion and individual practice weddings celebration have changed or modified to some
extent. With time and advancement in technology there has been significant changes in ways
weddings are celebrated these days. However, in some cultures the core traditions still have
significant value to the people.
As a wedding planner, it is very important to have knowledge of the ways weddings are
celebrated in different cultures. This report explores wedding traditions in different cultures. This
report contains:
• A Table of Contents
• A Table of Figure
• Wedding customs in Japan
• Wedding customs in France
• Wedding customs in Italy
• Wedding customs in India
• Conclusion
• References
The report is a set of guidelines for traditional cultural weddings in various countries. It also
includes pictures which are related to the culture. This report covers wedding customs in
following countries:
• Japan
• France
• Italy
• India

Table of Contents
Introduction ............................................................................................... 5
Weddings in different cultures ................................................................ 5
Wedding customs in Japan ............................................................... 5
Wedding customs in France ............................................................. 7
Wedding customs in Italy .................................................................. 9
Wedding customs in India ............................................................... 11
Conclusion .............................................................................................. 16
References .............................................................................................. 15

Table of Figures
Figure 1: San San Kudo .............................................................................. 5
Figure 2: Shiromuku ................................................................................... 6
Figure 3: Wataboshi .................................................................................... 6
Figure 4: Colorful Sushi .............................................................................. 6
Figure 5: Le Vin d'Honneur ......................................................................... 8
Figure 6: La Danse de la Brioche ................................................................ 8
Figure 7: Croquembouche .......................................................................... 8
Figure 8: Dragées ....................................................................................... 9
Figure 9: Italian Wedding .......................................................................... 10
Figure 10: Food in Italian Wedding ........................................................... 10
Figure 11: Traditional Italian Wedding Dress ............................................ 11
Figure 12: Throwing Confetti ..................................................................... 11
Figure 13: Mehndi Ceremony .................................................................... 12
Figure 14: Haldi Ceremony ....................................................................... 12
Figure 15: Indian Bride wedding dress ...................................................... 13
Figure 16: Groom putting vermillion .......................................................... 14
Figure 17: Taking 7 Phere ........................................................................ 14
Figure 18: Indian Biryani ........................................................................... 15
Figure 19: Indian Wedding Buffet .............................................................. 15

Introduction
The term "marriage" refers to the social, physical, and spiritual union of two people. It is a
worldwide custom that contributes significantly to social expansion through the development of
new families. Marriage, one of the oldest activities in human history, is celebrated in every
corner of the world and is a time of transition experienced by most people, regardless of their
various cultures and lives. The marriage ceremony incorporates a variety of elements that
symbolize the country, age, and culture as they evolve over time. Weddings are one of the most
amazing, thoughtful and skillful events in the world. Every country has their own culture,
principles and beliefs. Each of these customs has its own set of symbols and meanings that link
families and communities involved with weddings. For example: The history of weddings in
Australia incorporates indigenous roots. Smoking and stone rites are relatively indigenous to the
nation. Therefore, it is important to understand these customs and tradition to be a successful
wedding planner.
Wedding customs in Japan
Engagement
Japanese wedding ceremonies begin with the couple's engagement, during which they may
exchange fortunate items. Items such as Kinpo-zutsumi, a ceremonial amount of money;
preserved delicacies like Japanese Katsuobushi, or dried bonito, which indicates lasting quality;
Suehiro, a fan that represents happiness; and Tomoshiraga, linen thread that represents strong
bonds in the marriage.
Wedding ceremony
Japanese enjoy two different forms of wedding- the traditional Shinto wedding and the “white
wedding,” a version of Christian wedding traditions.
A Shinto priest performs the traditional Japanese ritual, which is held at a shrine. The ceremony
is quite traditional and typically very private, with just close relatives and a few guests in
attendance.
Symbolic Nuptial Cups
San San Kudo, is the most popular Shinto-style wedding tradition. The
priest first purifies the couple and presents their marriage to the gods. The
bride and groom then drink three sips of Sake from each of three unique
glasses, with their parents. Japanese wedding couples honor their parents
with a flower gift, a toast, or a handwritten message of love and appreciation
during the reception.
Figure 1: San San Kudo

Wedding Dress
For Shinto marriages, the bride wears shiromuku, a white kimono with
kimono pants and jacket, while the husband wears a black kimono with
kimono pants and jacket. In addition to the kimono, the bride typically
wears tsuno-kakushi and wataboshi, both of which date back to the 14th
century.
Japanese wedding dishes
The Japanese wedding menu is very different from the traditional Western menu. The festivities
begin with a fish dish. Red rice, sake, seaweed, and brown algae are also plentiful. Meat is a
rare commodity. The cutting of the wedding cake is a highly respected custom that becomes a
mini-ceremony in and of itself.
Figure 3: Wataboshi
Figure 2: Shiromuku
Figure 4: Colorful Sushi

Wedding customs in France
Engagement
Engagement is a tremendous honor in France, and it differs from many other countries.
In French engagement:
• The groom asks the questions in the hopes of receiving a "yes." No ring is required.
• Receiving the bride's parents' blessing
• Purchasing the rings together
• The bride gets her ring during a family supper
Wedding ceremony
Wedding ceremonies are frequently done in civil venues. To be legally recognized in France,
the wedding must be held at a civil venue. The couples must get married in front of few
witnesses. The civil service is affordable for everybody. There is no charge for civil service. The
couple invites the family to the civil service as eyewitnesses. During the chapel service, the
couple sits on red velvet seats, and the guests toss rice and grains after the ceremony.
Wedding reception
The traditional French wedding reception is a "French Toast," where people gather to give
blessings and speeches to the newlyweds. The food served at the wedding reception is related
to local traditions that vary by province. Following the meal and drinking, the French wedding
reception includes dancing and more drinking until the next morning.
French Wedding Wardrobe
When Ann of Brittany married Louis XIV, she established the traditional white wedding gown,
which spread throughout the world. It is customary in France to wear a veil during a child's
baptism.
Unique elements
There are many unique elements associated with weddings in France. These elements differ
depending on where you live in France. Some people include these elements whereas some do
it in their own unique way. These are the distinguishing features of French wedding culture:

Le Vin d'Honneur is a mini reception that takes
place at the ceremonial area or in the main
reception after the wedding ceremony. Le Vin
d'Honneur lasts for a few hours. Drinks and snacks
are provided during the reception
La Danse de la Brioche is a special dance where the
groom first carries a large brioche around after dinner and
perform a dance requiring strength, rhythm and balance.
The males are then asked to dance with the brioche,
which is subsequently transferred on to the female
wedding guests after the center is taken out.
After the dance, the brioche is eaten by everyone.
A Croquembouche is a unique French-style "wedding cake." It is made
of caramel-covered profiteroles. These pasty puffs are filled with vanilla
cream and dipped in thin crusty caramel before being "glued" with
melted toffee or chocolate. They can be designed in the same way as
other wedding cakes. The Croquembouche is sliced with a sword as
bridesmaids catch the pieces on the tablecloth.
Figure 5: Le Vin d'Honneur
Figure 6: La Danse de la Brioche
Figure 7: Croquembouche

Dragées are almond flavored little candy. They are distributed to the guests after the ceremony.
Pot de Chambre is celebrated on the wedding day in which the couples are transported with a
cart pulled by a donkey holding a chamber pot. Next day, the wedding party have to hunt the
newlyweds with the pot and after they have been found, the couple has to drink the content of
the chamber pot. First the bride, then the groom and finally the wedding party. In the Pot de
Chambre, there can be anything mixed in it; bread, alcohol, fruits, etc.
Wedding customs in Italy
Engagement
In Italy, traditional engagements took place through the family. The first step in the engagement
process was to seek permission from the parents to marry the family's daughter. The next step
was to obtain the rings as a symbol of commitment to the couple. Nowadays, the first stage is
skipped, and men simply ask women to marry them.
Following the conventional engagement, the families gather for an engagement party, which is a
formal meal when the families discuss the future. If the families have known each other for a
long time, the engagement celebration is unnecessary. The wedding day is very important in
Italy. According to Italian tradition, the wedding date should not be in August, which is
considered unlucky, or in May, when Italy celebrates St. Mary. Sunday is the best day of the
week for Italian weddings because it is the Italians' lucky day.
Weddings in Italy are typically held in the morning. Bachelor parties are common in Italian
culture, as they are in many other countries. It is usually held one or two weekends before the
wedding and is spent with friends who are or are not invited to the wedding.
Figure 8: Dragées

Figure 10: Food in Italian wedding
Wedding ceremony
It is customary for Italian women to spend the night before
their wedding at their parents' homes. To avoid bad luck,
the bride in Italian wedding culture should not wear
anything gold. The bride's wedding clothing must include
something old, something new, something borrowed,
something blue, and something she got as a present. The
bride should only wear white throughout the wedding
ceremony.
The wedding day in Italy can vary based on the
providence. In some areas, tradition bans the husband
from seeing the bride before she arrives at the altar in
some jurisdictions, but in others, the bride and groom
walk together to the church. The couple will be put
through a "test," which will demonstrate their future skills.
These "tests" involve a variety of tasks, such as
demonstrating togetherness by completing something in
which both must work together.
To demonstrate their unity, the couple ties a knot outside
the church as they marry.
Wedding reception
Italian wedding reception starts with the cocktail. It is arranged for the guests to be entertained
while the married couple takes the longest possible route to the reception venue. As the bride
and groom and their
wedding party arrive on
site, the guests gather and
form a clear path to the
wedding party. The food is
one of the most important
aspects of the wedding
reception. As a
Mediterranean country,
the cuisine is rich in
Mediterranean flavors,
with some feasts featuring
up to 14 courses.
When the food is served,
the cake will be cut and
served with Italian coffee.
The wedding reception
usually includes a band
which plays music for the
guests. As one of the
Figure 9: Italian Wedding

Figure 11: Traditional Italian
Wedding Dress
Italian wedding reception rituals is the dance with the bride. The bride carries a satin bag in
which the guests can put money to have a dance with the bride. Also singing is usual in the
reception. One of the wedding party or guests cry out a “Hurrah for the newlyweds” lore
Italian Wedding Clothes
It is customary in Italy to wear a white wedding gown and a dark
suit. The bride must always wear a veil at a religious wedding.
Tearing a veil after a wedding is one of the lucky traits. Brides in
Italy are very honored when they receive their wedding gown as an
heirloom from their mother or another family member. They are
very proud of their tradition, and the dress will be passed down
from generation to generation.
Before receiving the ring, the Italian bride is not permitted to wear
any gold jewelry. Whether it's a church or a civil ceremony, the
groom wears a light or dark suit. During the wedding day, the most
important item for a groom is a piece of iron. Its purpose is to drive
away evil spirits.
Unique elements
In Italy, they throw Italian confetti instead of throwing rice or grain. The confetti consist of the
mini bags of almonds or tiny twists of dough fried and sprinkled with sugar. One of the Italian
traditions after the ceremony is to break a glass. The amount of the splitters is counted as
happy years of marriage. Also releasing doves while in a confetti rain is an Italian tradition,
which is not always necessary.
Figure 12: Throwing Confetti

Wedding customs in India
Engagement
The engagement ceremony in India is called Mangni (in North India) or Nischitartham (in South
India). The two families meet to perform rituals and a mahurat (auspicious date & time) for the
wedding is decided based on horoscopes. The couple is then blessed by elders. Both receive
gifts including jewelry and clothing by their new family. In certain traditions, exchange of rings in
held during an engagement. Engagement ceremonies in India are lavish and colorful, serving as
a sort of prelude to the main wedding and involving close friends and relatives. For both the
bride and groom-to-be, the time between engagement and marriage is a time of great
excitement and anticipation. It is marked by a number of entertaining activities, with both
families coming together to plan the wedding, shop, and bond.
Pre-wedding ceremonies
Haldi is a ritual holy bath in which married
women apply turmeric (Haldi), oil, and water to
both the bride and groom. This is followed by
the Mehndi ceremony, in which the bride's
hands and feet are adorned with intricate
patterns created with Henna.
Figure 13: Mehndi Ceremony
Figure 14: Haldi Ceremony