Question about having a 'Ethnic' aspect to your wedding....
ChrissynRicky
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Question about having a 'Ethnic' aspect to your wedding....
I'm Middle-Eastern (1st Generation American) and FI is Italian...I'm a lot more in touch with my culture - speak the language, know the music, and other cultural aspects and traditions.
I spoke with my parents last night, and we were originally going ot give the DJ a CD with some Middle-Eastern music on it, and have him play it for about a 1/2 hour. However, after much discussion yesterday, FI and I, and parents decided to get a belly dancer for the wedding. She'll fortunately, not take up a lot of time and it won't be a drag for those that are not Middle Eastern - she'll only perform for about 20 minutes top and we can dance while she is as well, which makes my family and I happy.
Now, what do I do for the FI? He's Italian - but not 'hardcore' Italian - if you get my drift...very American and not really 'in touch' with the Italian culture. I know I can get music and get something going for a tarentella - but they're not really into that. Do you think getting a Dean Martin or Frank Sinatra singer for the Cocktail Hour would be okay? Is this offensive? I dunno what to do!
cjb88
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Re: Question about having a 'Ethnic' aspect to your wedding....
i would just ask him if it is important to his family... i know if i wasnt much in touch with my culture and FH was i wouldnt feel slighted if he had something and i didnt...
on the other hand, the frank sinatra singer that Tommy TUnes has is AWESOME!! and i would totally have him if i could afford it!!
JessicaM.
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Re: Question about having a 'Ethnic' aspect to your wedding....
Chris, if your fh's family is not too into it, don't force the issue and don't feel bad. I mean, there are many people that are very americanized that don't do traditional things- not all irish do the jig- my mom is Norwegian and I have NO idea what they do for weddings.
your family is still very in touch with the culture- celebrate it fully and don't think another moment about it.
by they way, I love belly dancing and middle eastern music...if you get a lot of no's and don't make your minimum....give me a call !LOL
EmberLynn
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Re: Question about having a 'Ethnic' aspect to your wedding....
Okay my FH is from an old school italian family. His dad, and both grandparents were born in italy. One thing you have to understand with italians is, food! They love food! Offer some italian dishes, which are often very affordable and just delisous! Chicken parmsiam, pasta, meat balls, cancalli's, italian wine, etc... Playing Frank Siantra won't hurt at all, nor would the song 'Hey Mombo(spl).' There is a large verity of italian music out there, just do a search. Many of theses songs have group dances that would highlight the evening very well. You could also hire an actor to do a story of one of the great Roman battles. Contact local threaters. They will make the story interesting and have the guest become involved in the story and it would go great with your sit down dinner. Also having italian pasterys as favors would be cute too. I don't know anyone who doesn't love italian food. You could also maybe use for center peaces, use the dry pasta arrangements. You can make them yourself or buy them almost every where. They are very popular now. If you want to try a few of theses ideas you'll show his ethnics in the wedding, without it over powering the whole day.
Goldi1021
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Re: Question about having a 'Ethnic' aspect to your wedding....
I would ask your FH or his family how you can make his side feel comfortable without alienating them. I bet you that they would appreciate it. Honestly, I love Frank Sinatra and I am not Italian so I don't know how that could be bad! Still check with them anyway!
I love when ethnicity is tied into weddings. FH and I are both Jewish and we are really looking forward to being lifted on the chairs and doing the horah. Thank G-d FH's friends are all built like football players or we'd be in trouble!
ChrissynRicky
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Re: Question about having a 'Ethnic' aspect to your wedding....
Posted by JessicaM.
Chris, if your fh's family is not too into it, don't force the issue and don't feel bad. I mean, there are many people that are very americanized that don't do traditional things- not all irish do the jig- my mom is Norwegian and I have NO idea what they do for weddings.
your family is still very in touch with the culture- celebrate it fully and don't think another moment about it.
by they way, I love belly dancing and middle eastern music...if you get a lot of no's and don't make your minimum....give me a call !LOL
Thanks so much for the advice! You're so right. I'll talk to FI and his family tonight and see what they say!
I'll definitely invite you if I don't mean the minimum - LOL - but won't you be on your HM?????
gNi1125
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Re: Question about having a 'Ethnic' aspect to your wedding....
Posted by JessicaM.
Chris, if your fh's family is not too into it, don't force the issue and don't feel bad. I mean, there are many people that are very americanized that don't do traditional things- not all irish do the jig- my mom is Norwegian and I have NO idea what they do for weddings.
your family is still very in touch with the culture- celebrate it fully and don't think another moment about it.
by they way, I love belly dancing and middle eastern music...if you get a lot of no's and don't make your minimum....give me a call !LOL
I agree with Jess. They're all gonna love the belly dancer...great idea!!
SIBride06
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Re: Question about having a 'Ethnic' aspect to your wedding....
Christine:
I am Italian, and being from a hard core old school italian family (and also marrying into one) the best way to an Italian mans heart is through his stomach. Same concept applies to an Italian family. As long as the food is good, believe me, all those Italians will be satisfied. And if they drink enough grappa, they might be doing dances with the bellydancer! You will not offend anyone by playing Sinatra..trust me. Doing the tarrantella is a great idea, (Just say NO to the chicken dance!!!)
ChrissynRicky
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Re: Question about having a 'Ethnic' aspect to your wedding....
Posted by SIBride06
Christine:
I am Italian, and being from a hard core old school italian family (and also marrying into one) the best way to an Italian mans heart is through his stomach. Same concept applies to an Italian family. As long as the food is good, believe me, all those Italians will be satisfied. And if they drink enough grappa, they might be doing dances with the bellydancer! You will not offend anyone by playing Sinatra..trust me. Doing the tarrantella is a great idea, (Just say NO to the chicken dance!!!)
Thanks Janie!
I promise, no chicken dance, and I will get some music for the tarentella, and have the rat pack music during the CH....
The majority (90%) of the food will be italian, and it's Scotto Brothers, and the Future Family will be fed appropriately and fully!
Thanks so much for everyone's advice!
SummerBride06
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Re: Question about having a 'Ethnic' aspect to your wedding....
FH is irish--majorly irish. we're playing some irish songs (no danny boy or other 'american-irish songs). it's important to him so i said he can have 1 irish song per hour
i'm italian and german but consider myself italian. i want mambo italiano, some sinatra for grandpa and funiculi funicula. oh...and the tarantella even though none of us know it! but i just want it!
christine...ask FH what he and his family would want. don't plan something because you think he'll want it. he may not want anything at all!
chikita315
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Re: Question about having a 'Ethnic' aspect to your wedding....
I'm with you on the 'ethnic' aspect. I'm Puerto Rican, so to incorporate that, I'm having my cousin make a Salsa CD for the DJ to play - and there will be tons of Salsa dancing. As for FH - he is Italian (but not hard core either), and we will most likely be getting a Frank Sinatra singer for about an hour during the reception - probably while dinner is served. Oh - and we are definitely doing the tarentella (sp?)
