How to Plan a Multicultural Wedding: Tips and Ideas

The world is becoming more diverse, and multicultural weddings are becoming increasingly common. Couples with roots in different and distinct cultures may want to create a ceremony that blends their heritages together. Planning a multicultural wedding can be challenging, but here are some tips to get you started.

Identify Aspects of Importance

Before you begin planning your multicultural wedding, you should sit down with your partner and discuss any aspects that you both feel must be included in the ceremony. This allows each person to focus on the traditions that matter most to them and can help provide a framework upon which you can plan the rest of the ceremony.

Some traditions are easy to integrate into any ceremony regardless of the other elements in place. For example, the jumping the broom ceremony can be added to almost any wedding or reception with ease. The same can be said for breaking the glass in Jewish faith or the unity candle tradition in Catholic ceremonies.

Say it with Colour and Pattern

Another way to bring your heritages together is through the use of colour. Depending on your culture, a particular colour may hold significant meaning. For example, the colour red is considered good luck in Chinese and Korean cultures, so a Chinese or Korean bride or groom may want red to be featured prominently in the ceremony. Indian weddings are also traditionally bright and vibrant, offering a wide range of colours.

Various embroidered designs on fabric can also pay homage to traditional offerings from a person’s home country. Similarly, respect each other’s need to avoid certain colours in the ceremony, such as yellow roses, which were thought to represent jealousy in the Victorian era.

Fusion Cuisine

The reception is another excellent place to blend cultures together. Consider offering an array of foods that acknowledge the varied history of the bridal party. This can be a fun addition and can also make family members who are more traditional find something familiar amongst the offerings.

Granted, this may be more challenging if a full lunch or dinner will be served, but can work very well for buffets or receptions that only feature light hors d’oeuvres. Desserts can also reflect a person’s cultural heritage if you want to have more than a wedding cake or prefer to replace the wedding cake tradition with another option.

Consider Two Officiants

If you and your partner come from different faiths or cultures, consider having two officiants. This can be an excellent way to recognise both cultures and can provide a more inclusive and diverse ceremony.

Some officiants are open to performing a wedding ceremony jointly with an officiant of a different faith or culture. In this way, both cultures can be recognised fully, and the bride and groom can each have their unique perspectives included.

This may also be a favourable option for situations where family traditions are held strongly by certain family members. While a wedding should not be all about appeasing the guests, sometimes it is easier to find an option upon which everyone can agree.

Conclusion

Planning a multicultural wedding can be challenging, but it is a fantastic opportunity to blend different cultures together and create a unique and memorable ceremony. By identifying aspects of importance, saying it with colour and pattern, offering fusion cuisine, and considering two officiants, you can plan a multicultural wedding that honours both of your heritages and starts your new life together as one.