4 Unique Traditions for Your Wedding in Sicily

There isn’t a country in the world that doesn’t have its own wedding traditions. While they may seem peculiar to others at first, the locals are proud to include these traditions in their happiest day. If you have decided on a destination wedding in Sicily, you may find one of these traditions fascinating. 

While some Sicilian wedding customs hold deep symbolism, some are steeped in societal defiance, and others are simply fun. The common thread behind all of them is the chance to have a laugh, celebrate, and share a meal and a drink. 

Serenade

Your wedding in Sicily can’t go without a serenade. Serenading, or singing songs beneath a woman’s window to express a man’s love, is an ancient tradition originating from the Middle Ages. Today, it has a broader meaning and marks the beginning of a marriage. 

The groom, with his family and friends, gathers beneath the bride’s window the evening before the wedding. The soft sounds of the guitar and their voices blend to create a symphony of love and anticipation. Now, it may be a bit tough to find a suitable window to sing praises to the love of your life, but that doesn’t mean you can’t do this Sicilian wedding tradition! For instance, the serenade would sound just as good and romantic at the reception!

Something Blue

We’ve all heard about the “something blue”. Given the island’s shades of blue, this will take a whole other meaning at your wedding in Sicily. But the importance of the color goes way beyond that. More specifically, the color is deeply integrated into traditional Sicilian weddings.

Before white, the custom Sicilian wedding color was blue. Since it was believed the color brings fortune and luck, brides usually wore blue gowns for their celebration, accessorized with pearls and even coral necklaces! Yes, they were quite a big hit! Nevertheless, if you want to stand out at your wedding in Sicily, make a daring ‘something blue’ moment with your dress!

Rice or Wheat Toss

A long-standing wedding custom is when the air shimmers with blessings from the ritualistic rice toss. Well, in Sicily, rice is replaced by wheat grains, where the bride and groom are showered with wishes of abundance and fertility. 

Referred to as the godfather of grains, this Sicilian wedding tradition has deep roots in the Roman times. Rice became the grain of choice over time due to its affordability. 

Secret Bouquet Story

Orange flowers are the secret of the bridal bouquet for a wedding in Sicily. It originates from an ancient Arab custom, symbolizing a wish for a bride who is blessed with a bountiful brood. But there is a whole silent conversation behind the bouquet between the hearts, whispering love and anticipation.

The bride is presented with a bouquet from her parents as a token of blessings and pride which turns into a symbol of gratitude when the bride gifts it to her future mother-in-law. This is how the bride acknowledges her new family with every petal. The groom then surprises the bride with a new bouquet, symbolizing a fresh promise of love and devotion. 

Sicilian wedding customs say that the bouquet should pass through three hands, from the groom to the bride and to an unmarried maiden. Hence, the bouquet is tossed. 

Conclusion

If you’re striving for a traditional wedding in Sicily, using these traditions is the perfect way to do so. Celebrations of love on this island are as unique as they come, so nothing’s stopping you from creating the wedding you’ve always dreamed of. Whether you want to go fully traditional or add just a hint of modernism, these customs are sure to be remembered.

If you have any questions about your destination wedding in Italy, feel free to contact us or read our blog. You will find plenty of more ideas for your magical celebration of love.