Scandinavian wedding ceremonies include several touching traditions that can be easily incorporated into any ceremony. Many of these wedding traditions are simple, meaningful gestures that allow a couple to join in the history of thousands of couples that have gone before them.
The Swedish two coins tradition is a sweet sentiment. Before a wedding in Sweden, the bride’s mother gives her a gold coin to put in her right shoe, and the bride’s father gives her a silver coin to put in her left shoe. The coins represent their wish that she will never be without. It is a sweet way for the parents to say, “You’re leaving us, but you’re still a part of us.” This unique wedding tradition lets the bride know that she will always have her parents’ love and prayers that she may never be poor.
Another wonderful Scandinavian wedding tradition originates from Norway. It involves a bride-to-be walking from house-to-house carrying a pillow case and collecting her wedding gifts, while an older gentleman carries an umbrella or parasol over her. The umbrella symbolizes protection and shelter.
In Norway the friends and family of the bride and groom plant small pine trees on either side of their home to symbolize fertility. The bride and groom can then watch the seedlings grow throughout their years together.
All three of these unique wedding traditions can be easily incorporated into your wedding ceremony. The Swedish two coins tradition is a simple, touching gesture from a bride’s parents on her wedding day. An easy way to incorporate the Finnish umbrella tradition would be to have the father of the bride carry an umbrella over his daughter in her outdoor wedding.
The Norwegian tree planting tradition could be in the form of a gift from the wedding attendants. The bride and groom could also give seedlings to their maid-of-honor and best man, or the bride and groom can buy certificates that a tree has been planted in the attendants’ names.
Old traditions in modern times with modern weddings allow us to embrace symbolism and add a unique touch to a wedding. Looking back while simultaneously looking forward is a great way to make your wedding both one-of-a-kind and full of depth and history.
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Photos courtesy of Flickr Creative Commons.
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