including German traditions / culture in the wedding reception
My fiance is German (Bavarian), while I am American. We will be having a mostly-American type reception in the US, but what are some good ways to include German culture, foods, traditions, music into the party?
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edited by TWQadmin on Feb 23, 2005, 9:14 PM)
jrmissetiquette
Feb 23, 2005, 6:25 PM
Post #2 of 4
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Re: [kbelle] including German traditions/culture
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At the reception, the German tradition of smashing dishes, called the Poltrabend, is celebrated. The broken peices being good luck to the couple. They clean up the peices together as well, as a sign that nothing will be broken in their home again. Also, the groom carries grain with him as a sign for good luck and wealth. The bride carries white ribbon in the bouquet which they tie to the car after the wedding. More ways to incorporate German culture is by serving German hor d'oeuvres at the reception, such as assorted cheeses and sausages.
Bridal Stylist
WEDDING HAIR & BEAUTY EXPERT
Feb 23, 2005, 6:48 PM
Post #3 of 4
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Re: [kbelle] including German traditions/culture
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These are some fun and easy ways to incorporate German Tradition to your wedding. I'm sure the groom and his family will be pleased.
White Ribbon - the bride carries lengths of white ribbon with her bouquet, and after the church ceremony is over and the guests are leaving the church, she hands each driver a ribbon that they tie to the radio antenna. Wedding Rings- Germans wear wedding rings on the right hand - the groom and the bride have normally identical rings (wedding "bands" -- no diamonds). Dance - the first dance is danced by the bride and the groom, it is traditionally a waltz. The next dance is only for bride with her father and groom with mother, while bride's mother dances with groom's father.
Re: [kbelle] including German traditions/culture
[In reply to]
For the Reception: You can serve a variety of German foods and exotic beers and wine (mention this on a written menu with a few German words). The wedding cake is usually decorated with ornaments and is cut together by both bride and the groom. The first dance by the bride and groom is usually a wedding waltz. You can play a little German music throughout the evening. There is a popular game at German weddings: Every woman or man who wants to dance with the groom or bride, has to pay for it! In fact, LOTS of games are played during the evening and speeches are held (the first normally from the father of the bride). One fun game is to have the bride and groom sit back to back to each other, then friends ask them funny or interesting questions to which the bride and groom have to write down their answers on pieces of paper which are then read out loud by their friends.
Here is a lovely thing you can do before the wedding and show it off at the reception. It is a German custom for the couple's familes to make a wedding newspaper which includes photos, articles and stories of the bride and groom. Often this is sold at the reception to help pay for their honeymoon, but you can skip that part!
including German traditions / culture in the wedding reception
