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How to
Plan an Ethnic Destination Wedding
Are you considering a wedding
with elements to honor your heritage or the heritage of your fiance's family?
While you might think of religious ceremonies as a way to honor your ancestry,
you'll find that destination weddings can also incorporate many ethnic elements.
To find out how you can have both a destination wedding and an ethnic wedding,
we interviewed Vivian Tsakeris, Senior Sales Manager at the Bethesda
Marriott in Bethesda, Maryland. The hotel hosts many ethnic weddings
every year and, with her training as a Marriott
Certified Wedding Event Planner, Vivian helps couples of all backgrounds
plan their special day.
What
trends are you seeing in the world of multicultural and ethnic weddings?
Having two separate ceremonies–
one for each religion
Dressing in the special
garb that represents their countries.
Food – must have some
type of food item prepared from their country
Food Stations that are ethnic
specific.
Invitations that have two
languages representing both cultures. \If, for example, it is a Christian
and a Jewish wedding, they will have both a Pastor and a Rabbi for the
ceremony.
Having
a DJ/Band who can play music from both cultures.
 How
can couples who are blending two cultures add elements to each to their
wedding for a harmonious look?
- Bride
to dress in customary garb for the groom’s ceremony (e.g., American
bride dressing in Indian outfit) and then changing to the American wedding
dress for the American ceremony.
- Invitations
having both languages of bride and groom.
- For
the favors, use two items that represent each culture.
- For
Prayers/ speeches/vows, have them said in both languages.
 How
can couples carry multicultural elements through all aspects of the wedding,
from the ceremony itself to the wedding?
Providing their guests with a learning experience they will never forget.
Explain to guests how everything works, what everything represents at
the ceremony as well as at the reception. It is so wonderful to receive
a booklet at the beginning of the ceremony detailing the two families’
culture as part of the program. A lot of times, they go into detail as
to what the ceremony represents to each side of the family (e.g., special
songs, special hand shakes, meeting of both sets of parents at the entrance
of the hotel, etc. etc.)
What small touches can couples add to a traditional
wedding to honor their cultures?
- Special desserts brought
in for all guests to try.
- Special drinks (Mango Lassi
at Indian weddings)
- Have the proper minister/rabbi
for each type of ceremony
- Special lighting of candles
to blend the two cultures together.
- Special music and dancing
to reflect their two cultures
- Honor the Grandparents
of each family as well as the parents by recognizing the importance
of each of them and where they are from.
Photos courtesy Bethesda
Marriott
Related
Pages:
To plan a Marriott
wedding, call the Marriott of your choice and ask to consult with
the hotel's wedding event planner. For more information on Marriott Hotels,
Resorts, and Suites, call 1-800-228-9290 or see www.marriott.com.
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Weddings Read more interviews with Marriott wedding planners, check out
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