With all the complex history, traditions and symbolism of an Italian wedding, even before we arrive at the drinks reception, I discovered that there are many interesting "ingredients" to add to the wedding list.
1. Paperwork
Firstly if you are intending to marry per se, you will need the following ingredients: a full birth certificate, a valid passport; an affidavit declaring single status, authorised by a notary or solicitor declaring eligibility for marriage. Luckily personalitytest- authorisation not required, (one just hopes you have chosen well). If previously divorced or widowed, other affidavits are needed with written consent; especially needed if either or both parties to the marriage are less than eighteen years of age. All good so far... and we haven't even started. To be sure about which papers you need to get married in Italy, it would be better to contact a Wedding Planner to receive an expert advice.
2. Italian style
For pure authenticity one also needs white doves, loads of ribbons; a small piece of iron, sweet liquor for the women, stronger stuff for the men; a look-out and a good watch; dancing lessons to be added probably six months beforehand; a very well-stocked catering van with Italian chef; sugared almonds and the exact number is important (to be discussed later); a glass or vase standing-by but watch out as this time it will be smashed into as many pieces as possible. Don't confuse it with your friend's watch! If all of these ingredients are added at the correct time, and placed in the oven at the correct temperature, the final result should be a fantastic, authentic Italian wedding.
3. Bringing good luck
It is important at this point, whilst waiting for the oven to heat up, an Italian wedding is linked to a traditional Catholic wedding and this would include a full Mass with ceremony. Immediately after the wedding ceremony, the happy couple releases a pair of white doves towards the heavens. These doves symbolise the love and affection that the couple hold for each other.
However, before we get to the doves, tradition dictates that an adorned "entry way" is created that the couple will pass through with elaborately tied ribbons. These ribbons are symbolic of the unity of the couple. It is also customary for the groom to carry a small piece of iron in his pocket during the wedding ceremony. This piece of metal is said to ward off evil spirits and ensure a happy future for the couple. The bride may also rip her veil slightly. This is said to bring good luck.
The reception that follows the wedding ceremony is where the majority of Italian traditions take place. It is customary for the guests to assemble in the reception room before the bride and groom arrive. Some might say the next ingredient is the most important - the serving of alcoholic beverages. The women are traditionally served sweet liquors while the men are served stronger drinks. The timing here is crucial. It is important that these drinks be served "before" the couple arrives at the reception; tradition holds that the guests offer a toast to the bride and the groom the moment that they arrive at the reception so a look-out and a watch for timing will come in handy!
4. La Tarantella
The next ingredient to be practised (perhaps several months before the wedding ceremony) is the traditional dance "La Tarantella" typically performed at Italian weddings. There are several different stories on the origin of this dance but most of the stories revolve around a spider bite. In just about every version of the story, La Tarantella was a dance that was performed either to counteract the venom of the spider or as an uncontrollable response to the venom. In modern times this dance is performed as a way of wishing the couple good luck in their future together. It is a circle dance where the participants move in a clockwise direction until the music speeds up and then they reverse directions. These tempo changes occur several times and each time the tempo speeds up the group changes direction again. This continues until it is impossible to keep up with the tempo of the music.
5. Smashing good time
No authentic wedding would be complete without a scrumptious feast, delivered from the well-stocked catering truck, featuring several courses. A traditional Italian wedding menu will vary depending on the couple's request but will normally begin with antipasti and this can vary depending on the region for example in Tuscany it would probably include mixed crostini and platters of salami and prosciutto, olives and cheese. This is followed by various types of pasta, such as tagliatelle, then meats, soups, salads and contorni (vegetable side dishes) and desserts, including the vast wedding cake, each accompanied by flowing wine from the area. There are certain foods that have symbolic meanings, which lead me to those "almond" ingredients. Guests are usually presented with an odd number of sugared almonds. The almonds - known as confetti - represent the fact that marriage is often bittersweet. They are presented in odd numbers and have different meanings. For example, some say three almonds wish the couple luck with children whilst five almonds wish the couple monetary wealth, health, happiness, fertility and longevity.
6. The glass...
The penultimate ingredient involves the glass or vase. According to Italian tradition the number of pieces that the glass, for example, breaks into represents the number of happy years that the couple will enjoy together, so best not to use plastic ones. The final ingredient, apart from the rice being thrown over the departing couple, is of course buckets of amore to ensure that there's everlasting happiness.
