As an American there are certain elements that I would expect to see in a wedding in America and I would be surprised if they were missing. For example: bouquet/garter toss, father/daughter & mother/son dances, receiving lines, decorating the couples car, and depending on the couples heritage even a money dance. I've been to a couple weddings in Britain and I noticed things like the bride getting horseshoes, wedding confetti, vintage cars for the couple/wedding party. So my question to everyone is what makes an English wedding English? What are the elements you expect to see at the wedding. Any help with the details from little to big will be much appreciated.
CommentAuthorLegoWife
I think it's probably hard for us to know what counts as a British wedding cause most of us can't tell between American and British traditions as it is lol. The only one I can think of that you haven't mentioned is that in British tradition the bride goes down the aisle first with BM's following.
But I also think these days a lot more people are doing away with tradition so I wouldn't really expect to see anything in particular at a wedding.
~Wedding made of Lego~
*Married 30/03/13*
CommentAuthormadhen
Hmm, interesting thread!
I can't speak for English weddings as am Irish and have lived most of my life there, but I'd say a lot of it is the same anyway! I would expect things at the church service like the couple lighting individual candles during the ceremony and then using them to light one unity candle. Then the receiving line, first dance, bouquet toss, "something old, new...etc", confetti, cake cutting, speeches...um gosh it's hard to think actually. The vintage car thing is something I love but it's not always vintage ones I don't think, just a nice fancy car of some type, or sometimes a horse and carriage, and definitely decorated with "Just Married" and stuff on it. Had never seen the garter thing until I went to the wedding of a girl I was in university with, she's from Indiana so maybe it's an American thing?
Hopefully someone else with answer with more ideas...or maybe more will come to me!
CommentAuthormadhen
ooh good one Lego - forgot that!!
CommentAuthorSam
Mdhen, unity candles are really big back home as is the just married signs on the car.
Lego, perhaps a better question might be what you miss if it didn't happen at a wedding?
For english weddings I expect a wedding dress, be it white, ivory, champagne etc, bridesmaids, a best man, reception afterwards where the newly weds have their first dance, cutting the cake, kids skidding on their knees on the dancefloor and excessive alcohol consumption.
Ok, the last two aren't traditional, but they're expected :D
CommentAuthorRedSez
It's not exactly a tradition but in my opinion every wedding should have the guests on the floor doing "oops up-side your head" :-D
CommentAuthorJill
For a Scottish wedding a ceilidh and kilts for the men :) x
29th September 2012
Cant wait to be Mrs D!
CommentAuthorSam
I love the input so far. I'm really looking for what people do at weddings and not traditions
CommentAuthorTeganandRob
I expect there to be plenty to drink! Joking aside I'm always sad at weddings where you can't throw confetti, to me confetti definitely makes a wedding.
CommentAuthorShelleyM46
i like speech es at a wedding they can b so funny or make me cry. n the first dance me n oh try n guess Wat the music will b x
cant wait to marry the love of my life
my soul mate and my best friend
