Canadian Wedding

Wedding Observances and Ceremonies in Canada

Do you want to go further north to have your wedding in your Canadian homeland? Things there are not too different from what we have here in the United States. However, traditional Canadian ceremonies have lots of rituals that you may want to observe. This guide explains each so you can familiarize yourself as you plan your journey there.

Drinking a Trousseau Tea

Although the age-old tradition is slowly fading away, you could revive it at your wedding. The mother of the bride invites neighbors and acquaintances who will not be part of the wedding to the Trousseau Tea. It is a good way to share with people in the bride’s extended family. The bride’s mother lays out the bridal shower gifts and shares them with those in attendance.

Wedding Preparations

In the past, French Canadian brides wore all-white at their weddings. The custom continues to this day. After dressing, the bride joins other family members and relatives to a sock dance. This tradition pulls the entire family together. All unmarried siblings of the bride wear funny-looking socks. They make silly dance moves as everyone laughs and gusts throw money gifts at them.

Traditional Canadian traditions have the groom and his family drive to the bride’s house on the morning of the wedding. The entire crowd honks and dances to loud music to get the party really started. Soon thereafter, each guest pays a dollar or two to dance with the couple. This money is raised to cater for wedding expenses and/or the honeymoon.

 As an alternative, hoe dance tradition is observed where the bride goes around the guests with an open shoe. Guests fill the shoe with money. In modern times, the shoe is replaced by a white drawstring bag. It is perhaps a good idea especially if you want to collect large sums of money.

The wedding ceremony is then held at a church or in a garden. It has the ordinary exchange of rings and vows. The couple then shares the first kiss of their married life. Outside the church, wedding guests shower the couple with confetti, rice, and wheat. These are symbols of fertility, love, happiness and good fortune.

The Canadian Wedding Reception

Most wedding receptions in Canada are held at the residence of the groom. If the guests are many, they opt to go to a rented restaurant space or in a tastefully designed garden. The fathers of the bride and groom or elder bothers stand at the head of the table to tell funny and often embarrassing stories about the newly-weds.

Next, they have a best wishes toast with Canadian pilsner spirits and wine. Music blares from speakers as a deejay keeps guests entertained. The bride has to have a dance with all the male guests at the party. Similarly, the groom dances with all the female guests at the wedding. You can request your DJ to come with a playlist of the wedding songs that are dear to your heart.

Common popular music at Canadian weddings includes the following songs.

• I Feel It Coming - The Weekend ft. Daft Punk.
• 2U - David Guetta ft. Justin Bieber.
• Best I Ever Had - Drake.
• Everything - Michael Bublé
• Stars - Alessia Cara.
• There's Nothing Holdin' Me Back - Shawn Mendes.
• Company - Justin Bieber.
• The Way You Look Tonight - Michael Bublé

The food at the reception includes French fries, chicken, Canadian pastry, seafood, and different fish dishes. Drinks such as juice and soda are served. Alcoholic drinks such as wine, champagne, and beer are common at the reception. Guests will present their gifts to the newlyweds. The celebration may continue until late in the night or the following day.