Living in such a multi-cultural country like Canada, the reality is that many couples will come from different backgrounds, and will need to learn to navigate wedding planning while keeping in mind their rich cultural traditions. Couples who make a point to incorporate traditional wedding customs can host a wedding that is entirely unique to them, and is a perfect blend of the old and new.
Here at St. Joseph’s Banquet & Conference Centre, we’ve hosted many weddings of all traditions, each unique and memorable. While we are very experienced in hosting all types of weddings, including many Polish weddings, Italian weddings & Croatian weddings, above all, our specialty is Ukrainian weddings. Below are a few tips we’ve gathered for including the cultural traditions that are important to you on your big day.
1. Focus on the food!
Arguably one of the most important aspects in a wedding, food is a big factor in the overall experience your guests will have. Adding traditional foods throughout the evening will allow guests to appreciate your culture and enjoy the tasty offerings, while appreciating the traditional flare.
For a Ukrainian wedding, consider setting up a Kozak Hut (antipasto-style station), serving Varenyky (perogies) or Borscht (beet soup) during your late-night, or even going with a fully Ukrainian menu. Your guests will love the traditional touch, and won’t forget how delicious the food was. Bonus points if you get a Korovai (traditional sweet bread) to place beside your wedding cake.
For our Polish weddings, we’ve seen the additions of Żurek (rye soup) and Bigos (sauerkraut). Our Croatian weddings have focused on serving Chicken Schnitzel with Sataraš. The Italian weddings we’ve hosted have loved having our Deluxe Antipasto Station and serving Chicken or Pork Marsala for the main course.
2. Don’t forget about the bar!
A great way to add a touch of tradition is to ask your venue about customizing the bar selections to include alcohol from your background. Ask for Limoncello or Campari for your Italian wedding, Sljivovica and Karlovacko beer for your Croatian wedding, Zywiec beer and Luksusowa vodka for your Polish wedding, or Lvivske beer and Zirkova vodka to add to your Ukrainian wedding. Guests who’ve never tried these international selections will love the opportunity to try new things, and you’ll love representing your ethnic roots in an easy way.
3. Cultural entertainment is key!
The best weddings have some sort of entertainment, whether it’s as simple as having an incredible MC, or as elaborate as bringing in a parade of entertainers throughout the night. Consider hiring a local band that specializes in your cultural music to mix things up for the evening. Another great option is to invite a cultural dance troupe to entertain your guests with traditional wedding dances. Ukrainian weddings are huge on their entertainment, so use this opportunity to really show off your traditions and keep your guests happy!