Icelandic Love Letter Tradition
Wedding traditions are timeless, romantic and can make your wedding day uniquely yours. When we decided to look into the roots of some of our favourite wedding traditions, we immediately fell in love with the beautiful Icelandic Love Letter Ceremony. We found an abundance of wedding traditions origination from other countries. Our findings were endless, hopelessly romantic and, screamed happily ever after!
With so many details to plan, elements in the ceremony can often get over looked. But knowing that some wedding traditions are still honoured leaves us feeling warm and fuzzy.
The Icelandic love letter ceremony is a ritual that is practiced by many cultures, not just by the Icelanders. The great thing about this ceremony is that you can put your own unique twist on the tradition which can add a personal and meaningful flare to your ceremony.
What exactly is an Icelandic Love Letter Ceremony?
In the Icelandic love letter ceremony, you and your fiancé take some time to each write a letter to one another prior to your wedding day, expressing your thoughts about the good qualities found in your future spouse, the reasons for falling in love with one another and hopes and dreams for your future together. Place the letters in a sealed envelope with the name of your future partner on the outside; there is nothing more romantic then hand written love letters from your beloved.
Your parents and your future in-laws can also write letters, expressing their love and admiration for their child, highlighting accomplishments and their hopes for the upcoming marriage. These letters are placed in a wooden box, and sealed shut during the ceremony. The box can be nailed shut by the bride and groom, and you can include the officiant and the wedding party in the sealing of the box as well.
We like to think of this is as a romantic time capsule. You will be opening this box at a later time in your marriage to celebrate your love as couple so feel free to add a bottle of wine or champagne; some people add a cd of their favorite music too.
You can also write letters specially designated for different anniversaries. Typically they are opened on the fifth or tenth anniversary, some say on the twenty-fifth wedding anniversary. The choice is yours; you have endless possibilities to make this uniquely your own. There is only one other time this box should be opened; If there comes a time when you hit a rough patch in your relationship, before you give up or make any life changing decisions, open the wooden box. Sit down together, uncork the wine and unseal the envelopes that you wrote for one another before your wedding, and read the love letters. It will remind you of all the reasons you chose this person as your partner and all the things that helped shape the life you’ve created together.
This is the perfect ritual to remind you of your wedding day and your intention to love and cherish each other in good times and bad for as long as you both shall live. The hope is that there will never be a reason to have to open the box except on your anniversary!
Weddings are one of the most universal traditions in the world, yet celebrated differently by everyone. Let us give you a snap shot of other traditions seen around the world.
Mehendi Ceremony
Indian wedding celebrations last for days. We are so jealous! One of the celebrations is called the Mehendi Ceremony. This is held at the bride’s home before the wedding and is when the bride’s palms, wrists, arms, legs, and feet are decorated in celebration of her upcoming nuptials. On the wedding day, the bride and groom put flower garlands around each other’s necks in the Var Mala Ceremony to show the bride has accepted the groom as her husband.
A spooning tradition
Spooning might not mean what you think. In Welsh wedding tradition, a man carved a spoon out of wood and gave it to the woman he loved. If she wore it, they were engaged. How simple is that!? You can modernize this particular tradition by purchasing spoons in bulk to give as your favours. You can also choose to have spoons made for your bridesmaids, groomsmen or parents to say thank you. The fifth wedding anniversary is traditional the one where you get each other a gift made of wood.
If you happen to miss out on the wooden spoon tradition during your big day, the fifth anniversary would be the perfect time to incorporate this Welsh tradition.
A Welsh Bride’s Bouquet
In her bouquet, a Welsh bride carries myrtle, which represents love. She will give a cutting of the plant to her bridesmaids as well. If the bridesmaid plants the cutting in her yard and it blooms, she will soon marry, according to Welsh tradition.
A fashion event
Fashion at a Norwegian wedding isn’t just for aesthetic affect. The bride will traditionally wear a white or silver wedding gown as well as a silver and gold crown. Small spoon-shaped bangles that jingle when moved also hang from the crown. Did you know that according to Norwegian legend, the music produced from these bangles will ward off evil spirits?
Have you thought about what rituals you want to incorporate into your nuptials? The ceremony is one of the most important elements of your special day; it’s what most couples have been waiting for their entire lives! Embrace your culture and the timeless sacraments. Relish every moment of it and be inspired! After all, what is a wedding without its traditions?
We wanted to share with you one more beautiful tradition and the cutest girl explaining how it all works
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