Italian Traditions
The groom carries a small piece of iron in his pocket during the ceremony to ward off the evil eye. Food plays a large part in traditional Italian weddings. Sugared almonds are the obligatory attribute. They are said to symbolize the sweet and bitter of life; and ensure fertility when tied in bundles of 5 or 7.
 In the small villages of Italy, after the Wedding Mass, the newly married couple walks through the town plaza, greeting their friends, relatives, and neighbors. There the villagers set up a sawhorse, a log and a double handled rip-saw. The newlyweds must saw the log apart with the prompting and cheering of the crowd. When the job is finished and the log cut, it symbolizes that the man and woman must work together in all of life’s tasks.
In the past there was a tradition of avoiding marrying in May and August. May was reserved for the veneration of the Virgin Mary, and August was thought to invite bad luck and sickness.
In Italian tradition ribbons symbolize the tying two lives together. You can tie a ribbon across the front of the church door to signify the wedding bond.
Jewish Glass Breaking
The breaking of the glass at the end of a wedding ceremony serves to remind of two important aspects of a marriage:
1. marriage is an irrevocable act, permanent and final as unchangeable breaking of glass;
2. frailty of a marriage; as sometimes a single thoughtless act, breech of trust, or infidelity can damage a marriage in ways that are very difficult to undo - just as it would be so difficult to undo the breaking of glass.
Chinese Wedding Traditions
In Chinese tradition red is the color of love and joy. Chinese brides often wear red dresses and use red accessories at their weddings. If you are invited to the Chinese wedding, give up the idea to wear something in black, as it will be a sign as if you wish the happy couple bad luck. Good colours for the wedding are red, pink and purple. If you put a small evergreen branch in your hair, you will express you wish the couple “longevity.”
Russian Wedding Customs
If you have Russian relatives, you can add a little Russian flair to your wedding giving your guests sweets as favors. A picturesque Russian tradition is when bride and groom race to be first to stand on a white rug. The first to stand on the rug will be the master of the household.
Weddings in Hawaii
If you'd like to marry in Hawaii, keep these tips in mind:
• Be sure that you have your marriage license appointment done at least 30 days prior to your arrival.
• Bring your driver's license and birth certificate with you to present to the marriage license agent. Applications can be mailed to you in advance, however, applications for a marriage license will not be accepted by marriage license agents through the mail. It must be done in person in Hawaii.
• The fee is $25.00 cash paid to the marriage license agent.
Public beach weddings are not "legal" in Hawaii, but if the ceremony is performed on hotel/resort property, it is legal.
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