Italian American Brides !! How crazy is everyone making you??!!

Hi Everyone,
Just wondering among the Italian-American crowd how you are all coping with your plans and your families! Also, anyone doing anything special to commemorate/celebrate the italian culture during your wedding?
Thanks!

LOL!! we are actually going to the mother country to get married but i'm sure the family will bug us in one way or another!! mille baci

My Italian father is being a royal pain in the @ss. He is being a cheap jerk and does not seem to want to help with anything. But the rest of my family has been great and sooo supportive. My mother has been the best!! But she's not italian. I do plan on doing some italian stuff at the wedding. I am in the process of researching different ideas. How about you?

Lori - I understand exactly what you are saying! We were thinking of going to Italy for our Honeymoon since I haven't been there in two years and miss it so much. HOWEVER, I am not looking forward to hearing all the BS if I don't go see this aunt, or stop by this cousin's sister's godmother for coffee etc. and just eating eating eating!!! Maybe Tahiti instead!

I can't believe your getting married there - That is amazing! What part of Italy will you be married in and what gave you that great idea?
Ciao - Gabriella

Hi Jaimie - I'm glad to hear the rest of your family is supporting and helping you. It is too stressful to do on your own!

I like your idea of the wine bottles as favors. I know most people coming to our wedding would love that! I'm not too crazy about the almond favor - are you doing that as well? I was thinking about having either a wine related or espesso related favor. Other than that I've been searching for ideas - My parents are going to Italy in September so I better get moving if I want them to bring me back anything wedding related!

Ciao Bellas!

FH and I both love italy but have never been there together-- we thought it would be nice for our first time there together to be for our wedding. also, our families will be joining us there for the ceremony and none of them have been to italy!! we found a great wedding planner in Florence (Sage10.03 is using him too) and we'll be married at the Palazzo Vecchio. Our plan is honeymoon in italy afterwards, then when we return have a reception back at home for the rest of our families and friends.

all the italian american brides will have the best and largest quantities of food at the weddings i am sure. are your parents food obsessed??

I don't think I am going to do the almonds, but when I was looking up Italian wedding traditions, those jordan almonds were listed as something done by Italians!! Si I don't know if I am going to use them yet.

doing the almonds, the tarantella, the dessert hour, that's about it for now.

Yes, the italian FMIL is driving me up the friggin wall.

Oh well Lori you were 1/2 right. I found the article. Here it is:

Jordan Almonds
The candied almond as a favor originates in Italy; it symbolizes good luck and fertility.

Table Favors. Almonds were originally an Italian custom. Five sugar coated almonds represented the bitter and sweet sides of a marriage and were presented to the guests. The five almonds stand for health, wealth, long life, fertility and happiness. Other favors could include boxes of chocolates or thank-you scrolls tied with a ribbon.

Favours
The tradition of giving almonds comes from the Greek legend where Demophon offered a sacrifice to an almond tree declaring his undying love. The tree blossomed and since, undying love has been symbolized by the almond. The long standing tradition of giving Favours or Bomboniere to celebrate special occasions started centuries ago in Italy. Most bomboniere contain five sugared almonds symbolizing health, wealth, happiness, fertility and long life.


Wedding Favours
The five sugar coated almonds that are traditionally given to guests symbolise health, wealth, fertility, happiness and long-life.
The association Almonds has with love goes back to a Greek legend whereby a young man met and fell in love with a princess. Before the marriage could take place the Father of the young man dies. Returning to Athens for the Fathers funeral the young man tells his princess he will return. After a period of time the Princess becomes convinced he will not return and kills herself. Touched by the love she felt the Gods transform her into an Almond tree. The young man returns three months later to find his princess dead and sacrifices himself to the Almond tree, declaring his eternal love. In return the Almond tree blossomed. Impulsive youth and eternal love were thus symbolised by the Almond.
It was believed that eating 5 Almonds would prevent drunkenness.

One Italian wedding tradition dictates that five almonds be given to each guest to symbolize health, wealth, happiness, fertility, and long life.



The custom of giving bomboniere is one that has become quite international where Five Sugared Almonds, representing Health, Wealth, Happiness, Fertility and Long Life are often wrapped in ornamental materials and presented to all the female guests at the Wedding, those guests who could not attend would also be sent a favour from the Bride.

I like this part:

It was believed that eating 5 Almonds would prevent drunkenness.

My wedding is going to be a mix of Italian American (my side) and hardcore off the boat Polish (FH and his family were all born in Poland)

I want the tarantella and the jordan almonds and the drinking of liqueurs. I am not sure what else.

Italy will definitely be the honeymoon spot.

off to bed now, cant keep my eyes open.
'nite

Dréa

I am an Italian bride here too!! We are doing the almonds cause if I didn't my family would shoot me!! Plus I actually like it when the wrap the five almonds to look like a flower. We are having TONS of food - including the venetian hour plus some Italian dancing. Still planning it all out. Italy is an option for a honeymoon spot. I last went back a few years ago, but I am from the North and would love to honeymoon on a beautiful beach down South while stuffing my face!!!!

I'm not sure what we're going to do - my dad's side is Italian and mom's is Irish, but FH's family is, well, from Alabama! No ethnicity really to speak of, and I don't want to scare them! So I thought maybe we'd have the DJ play a couple of Italian and Irish songs. That's about it.
I think we may be going to Italy for the honeymoon though. Haven't decided yet.
If you guys come up with any off-the-beaten-path type places in Italy, let me know! I've already done the touristy stuff.

ciao ciao

Babybride-

You are getting married at WM the day before me and you might do Italy for your honeymoon (me too) Freaky!!

I am actually a first time generation American...my parents are litterally from off the boat...but I have to say...it hasn't been so bad. My mom has kept her opinions to her self! (shocking)!

My FI's mom on the other hand is the one with all the comments!

Hi Lori!

I am actually from the North of Italy too! That's rare - most people I know are from Rome and below. Our family (my father's whole side) lives near Milano and my mother's family is from Parma (hail the wonderful parmegian cheese)! What part are you from?

Where are you looking at for your Honeymoon? I'm deciding between the Amalfi coast or Sicily/Sardenia. I heard the beaches are spectacular. Do you speak italian?
Ciao!
Gabriella