Wedding Traditions in Italy: La Serenata, Confetti, and More.

Italian weddings are full of traditions: the nighttime serenata in front of the bride's window, five sugar-sweet confetti as a wedding gift and the broken vase as a good-luck charm. Here are the most beautiful traditions surrounding the Italian wedding vows.

Before the Wedding: La Serenata

In many regions—especially in the south—the groom secretly serenades his bride at night: the serenata. With musicians playing beneath her window, he sings a love song to her, and then a spontaneous celebration ensues. Traditionally, the couple doesn't see each other again until they meet at the altar on their wedding day.

Confetti and bomboniera

As a gift for their guests, the couple is handing out confetti: sugar-coated almonds, always in an odd number, typically five. They represent the five wishes for the couple – Health, prosperity, happiness, fertility, and a long life. They will be presented at the bomboniera, a small souvenir.

At the party: Break a vase and cut a tie

At the end, the couple breaks a A vase or a glass – The number of shards is said to predict the number of years of a happy marriage. In some places, the The Groom's Tie cut up and „auctioned off“ in pieces to help pay for the honeymoon.

Luck, Dates, and Superstition

The date also plays a role in the Superstition featuring: May and September are considered lucky months, while many couples Friday, August and some even avoid Tuesdays. An old saying warns: „"Neither on Venus nor on Mars does she marry"“—Don’t get married on Fridays or Tuesdays.”.

In a Nutshell

Serenata, five confetti, a broken vase, and a lucky date—Italian weddings combine romance and tradition. If you're planning to get married in Italy, you'll find all the practical information you need in our series Getting Married in Italy; more traditions at the Superstition.