Not quite, how does the well-known saying continue? Exactly, something borrowed and something blue. A tradition which is known in many countries around the world, especially to brides, and also many are following it. Something old stands for constancy, something new for a good outlook into the future and that one is ready for what is coming, something borrowed will bring happiness into the marriage and something blue confirms the purity and love of the bride. However, in this blog we will not only talk about this tradition, but also about Swiss Wedding Traditions.
Traditions exist in many countries and are characterized by the fact that they are long-standing and are anchored in the cultures. We would like to tell you a little bit about the Swiss Wedding Traditions. Many of our traditions refer to evil spirits to be driven out of the couple’s newly made union or wishes for the forthcoming young. Are you ready to learn about these traditions? Well, let’s go!
Before we even get to the most beautiful day of our lives, we still have to get through the most outlandish, fun and chaotic evening in life: The bachelor party! In the past, guests were invited, who were all asked to bring porcelain dishes. These dishes were smashed and broken during the evening, so that the bad spirits were driven away and the couple could tie the knot without bad energies. And, of course, the proverb had helped there: “Broken crockery brings good luck!” But people have not rumbled like this in Switzerland for a long time. The modern Swiss woman spends her bachelor night or meanwhile bachelor day or weekend often with brunch, a wellness weekend or a city trip with girlfriends. The groom spends the day or evening mostly with his boys and often his day is filled with many fun tasks, which he must overcome, until the evening when they then celebrated. In Switzerland, it is also almost a tradition that this day or evening is organized by the best man and maid of honor or friends of the couple.
Another topic is the night before the wedding. So that the couple still get some rest on this important night before the big day and walk down the aisle well-rested, it is a tradition in Switzerland – more often than you might think – for the couple to spend the night separately. However, this does not mean that the groom sleeps on the sofa – no! Most of the time, a hotel room is booked for one or the other or someone sleeps at the best man, maid of honor, a good friend or a family member’s house.
When the Swiss are tying the knot, they practically always seal it with a wedding ring. Traditionally, this can be a simple gold or silver ring, but there are also more and more unusual options. So it may well be that the ring of the bride is also decorated with one or more small gemstones. But what does the ring are standing for? The closed form of the ring is a sign of the cycle and the union that one has now entered. In Swiss culture, this is worn on the left hand – more precisely on the ring finger. This finger probably owes its name to this tradition. The original belief comes from the fact that the heart is on the left side of the chest and by wearing the ring on the left hand, a direct connection leads to the heart.
As soon as the rings have been exchanged at the registry office or in front of the altar, the newlyweds leave the venue. In front of the venue, it is tradition in Switzerland for the guests to stand in a line up. This means that to the left and right of the exit all guests stand in a row and form a kind of passage for the couple. The couple then walks through this passageway, which is supposed to bring them good luck on their journey together. It is a sign that the couple will overcome any hurdle together and will walk the path together from now on (with good luck). It is also optional if a band is stretched before the passage, which must first be cut. At many weddings, rice or candies are also thrown into the air at this moment. This tradition brings good luck to the couple, especially when they are on the way to have children.
And then, of course, there is the famous bouquet throw. This moment especially concerns all the not-yet-married women at the wedding. These line up as a group behind the bride and hope to catch the thrown bridal bouquet. For the lucky woman this means that she too will soon be married or will certainly soon receive a proposal.
In general, in Switzerland we also keep many small traditions that accompany us on the wedding day. Often these also serve to entertain the guests. These can be games that are planned throughout the day or played especially during dinner. An important moment on this day is also the cutting of the wedding cake. During this task, it is clarified who will wear the pants in the marriage. Traditionally, this is witnessed by the hand applied to the top of the knife. And of course, the wedding dance may not be missing, which on the one hand lays the foundation stone for the future living together and at the same time also opens the party. Often accompanied also by the father-daughter dance, which follows directly after the bride and groom dance. With this father-daughter dance, the father symbolically bids farewell to the daughter in her independent married life.
So now you know more about the background of the most famous Swiss Wedding Traditions. Of course, there are many other small traditions that can be incorporated on this day. We are looking forward to every couple, where we can combine these traditions with the modern wedding trends. We look forward to seeing you – your Liebesding team.
