| There is just something so romantic about Italy. It is the | | | | As with any wedding, la sposa (the bride) is the center |
| wine, the food, the ambience, and above all, the | | | | of the day. The wedding gown is very important to |
| warmth and passion of the Italians. Having a destination | | | | Italian brides, and they have a great variety from which |
| wedding in Italy would be truly incredible. But even if | | | | to choose. Traditional long sleeve gowns are still seen |
| you cannot transport your wedding to the Tuscan | | | | for Nuptial Masses, but so are all manner of gowns |
| countryside, you can bring some of the exuberant spirit | | | | from modern to fanciful. Simplicity is valued by some |
| of an Italian wedding home. | | | | brides, but many love the fine laces and |
| Weddings are a very big deal in Italy. They are about | | | | embellishments that are offered by designers. Since |
| more than just the marriage of one man and one | | | | Italian lace is some of the finest in the world, it would |
| woman; weddings are also the union of two families | | | | be perfect for an Italian wedding gown. Veils are |
| and all of their friends. This is a cause for great | | | | usually worn, as they were once thought to protect |
| celebration! Italian weddings often start with a Nuptial | | | | the bride from evil spirits. Italian women love jewelry, |
| Mass in the morning, followed by feasting, drinking, and | | | | but there is a superstition that says a bride should not |
| dancing that can last well into the next day. (Tip: if you | | | | wear any gold on her wedding day until the groom |
| are having a full Catholic Nuptial Mass, it should be | | | | gives her the wedding band. To play it safe, choose |
| indicated on your invitations.) | | | | custom bridal jewelry handcrafted with sterling silver. |
| Speaking of feasting, food is of paramount importance | | | | Sparkling Swarovski crystals and lustrous pearls can |
| for any Italian special occasion. Food has strong | | | | be intertwined with the sterling silver to create fabulous |
| associations with family and togetherness in Italy, so of | | | | custom bridal jewelry that is both unique and |
| course at a wedding reception, everyone will want to | | | | affordable. |
| mange. The wedding dinner often consists of up to | | | | The Italians have many other delightful customs that |
| fourteen courses, followed by cake with espresso and | | | | you can include in your wedding. One fun tradition is for |
| coffee (to aid in dancing until dawn, no doubt). Whether | | | | the couple to shatter a vase or glass at the end of the |
| your wedding is in the United States or in Italy, treat | | | | evening. It is said that for every shard of glass, the |
| your guests to a proper Italian wedding feast. If your | | | | newlyweds will have a year of happiness. The |
| wedding is in America, a wonderful way to honor your | | | | Romans would break a loaf of wheat bread over the |
| Italian ancestry would be to serve the dishes that are | | | | bride and groom for fertility. For good luck, the guests |
| the specialty of the region from which your family hails. | | | | ate the crumbs. Another good luck charm used by |
| Skip generic Italian-American dishes in favor of true | | | | Italians is a piece of iron that the groom carries in his |
| authentic Italian cuisine. | | | | pocket to drive away jealous evil spirits. |
| The Italians have some very charming pre-wedding | | | | For couples who have Italian heritage, highlighting the |
| traditions that any American bride would love. It is | | | | wedding customs of Italy is a very special way to |
| customary for a young man to serenade his beloved | | | | honor your relatives while personalizing your event. |
| with music before proposing marriage (if he is tone | | | | Even if you do not have a single drop of Italian blood, it |
| deaf, he can bring along friends to help out). How | | | | would be fun to include some of the joyous spirit of |
| romantic is that? Also incredibly romantic is the reason | | | | the Italians in your wedding festivities. And don't forget |
| that Italians give diamond engagement rings: they | | | | to raise a glass to the favorite Italian wedding toast, |
| believe that diamonds are created by the flames of | | | | "Per cent'anni!" (for a hundred years). |
| love. Ladies, are you swooning yet? | | | | |