If you or your spouse has strong ethnic ties, you may want to incorporate special customs into the wedding, the reception, or both. This makes for a unique event, and is a nice way to honor your family's heritage. You can add just a few symbolic touches, or carry the theme through your entire event, from wedding costumes, to ethnic music, food, and dancing. Consider using traditional colors, or having parts of the ceremony read in another language. Here are a few examples of wedding customs from around the world. In African ceremonies, wine is poured on the ground as a tribute to the gods; and the couple may jump over a broom. The Chinese use red and gold as wedding colors, and firecrackers are set off to scare away bad spirits. English brides carry a ribboned horseshoe for good luck, and usually hold weddings at noon. French couples use all white flowers, clothing and decorations, while German bride and grooms ride in a carriage drawn by black horses. If you're not familiar with the traditions of a specific group, but would like to include them, do a little research. You'll find many books on international customs, to make your ‘special day' truly special.
