How to Incorporate Your Culture into Your Wedding

A wedding as a symbolic union of two cultures is a beautiful and deeply personal way of celebrating who you are—both as individuals and as a couple—while honouring the traditions and values that have shaped your lives. It's a moment where two worlds come together, not just in a ceremony, but in the essence of who you are, what you believe, and the family histories you carry with you. We believe that a wedding is not just about blending rituals and customs—it’s about creating something entirely new, a shared experience that reflects both your pasts and the future you’re building together.

Here are some inspiring ideas on how to beautifully weave your culture into your wedding day:

Embrace Traditional Rituals

Many cultures have unique wedding rituals that hold deep meaning and symbolism. These traditions can help add a personal touch and make your ceremony even more meaningful. This is the perfect time to understand your roots and celebrate what may have been forgotten. For example, if you have South Asian roots, you might consider including the saptapadi (seven steps around a sacred fire), or perhaps a knot-tying ceremony in a beautiful gesture of unity. Jewish weddings may include the touching and poignant breaking of the glass, symbolizing the fragility of life. If you come from a Latin American background, the lazo ceremony is a beautiful way to signify the union of the couple.

We love working with couples to incorporate these special rituals into their ceremony in a way that flows naturally with the wedding vision, ensuring it feels authentic and connected to your story.

Celebrate a Fusion of Cultures

For couples who come from different cultural backgrounds, blending both traditions can create a truly unique and special celebration. A fusion wedding allows you to honour both heritages that highlights the merging of families, communities, and even worldviews.

We see this fusion as a way of storytelling to offer insights into the couple's journey and how their distinct cultural legacies have shaped their identities. You may choose to incorporate multiple languages like bilingual vows, include a mix of music and even a blend of cultural dances. It gives a perfect experience for guests to understand both your history and heritage.

Cultural Attire

Your wedding attire is one of the most powerful ways to express your heritage and add something truly unique to your day. Fashion is such a beautiful opportunity to visually share the beauty and richness of your culture. We love seeing traditional wedding gowns, vibrant saris, kimonos, or the classic tuxedo with a twist - there are endless ways to incorporate cultural attire. Whether it’s the rich reds and golds of a traditional Chinese wedding dress or the deep blues and whites of a Greek bridal gown, the colours you choose to wear are often tied to meanings like prosperity, fertility, or celebration.

For example, if your culture associates a particular colour with good fortune, joy, or peace, wearing it on your wedding day not only honours that tradition but also invites guests to learn about its meaning.

Cultural Cuisine: A Feast for the Senses

Food is an essential part of any celebration, and your wedding should be no exception. It is often one of the most important and symbolic elements of a wedding across cultures. It’s about sharing, celebrating, and connecting with family, friends, and community. Food can carry deep cultural significance, telling stories of heritage, offering blessings for the couple's future, and expressing hospitality and love.

You can consider having a menu that could offer dishes that are central to each culture's culinary traditions, giving guests a taste of both heritages. For example, in Chinese weddings fish represents abundance and prosperity, while sweet red bean soup may be served as a symbol of happiness and the sweetness of married life.

Music & Dance: Bring the Party to Life

Music and dance are at the heart of many cultural weddings, and they provide a fun and lively way to celebrate. Whether it's traditional songs, classical music, or a fusion of genres, there’s something so special about hearing melodies that reflect your heritage.

From hiring a cultural band to introducing specific dances (like the energetic Greek sirtaki or the romantic waltz), these elements will create a joyful atmosphere that celebrates your background while entertaining your guests. Let us help you find the perfect balance of music and rhythm that will leave everyone dancing the night away.

Multilingual Vows: A Personal Touch

If you and your partner speak multiple languages, including them in your vows can add an intimate and personal touch to your ceremony. Whether you recite your vows in your native tongue, or share a few special words for your partner in another language, these moments will be deeply meaningful for you and your loved ones.

Incorporate Cultural Symbols

Every culture has symbols that hold deep meaning, and these can be beautifully incorporated into your wedding ceremony and decor. Whether it’s a double happiness symbol for a Chinese wedding, a beautiful piece of jewelry to represent your bond, or the use of a knot in Celtic traditions, these small details can have a profound impact on your ceremony.

We can help you integrate these cultural symbols into your wedding design, from your decor to your ceremony, to reflect the richness of your culture.

HonoUr Family Traditions

Family is at the heart of every wedding, and cultural family traditions can add so much beauty to your ceremony. Perhaps there’s a specific prayer, a cherished heirloom, or a piece of advice passed down through generations that you’d like to honour. You can also find this a perfect excuse to connect with your old family members and let them feel involved in a small way.

Your wedding day is a beautiful opportunity to honour your past while looking forward to the future. It’s a chance to reflect on the generations before you—those who have shaped you both as individuals and as a couple—and to weave their stories into the fabric of your own. We hope that these tips inspires you to reflecting on your shared history so you can create a wedding that feels not only like a celebration of the love between you and your partner but also a tribute to the legacies and love stories that have come before you.

Ruffles and Bells Team xx