Comparing Weddings Essay

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Comparing Wedding Customs Around the Globe ABSTRACT In this essay I will be comparing wedding customs and traditions from different countries and cultures. Some of the traditions carry over from one culture to the next, and some are very unique to each specific culture. Traditions will change through time as each new generation takes ownership of traditions and changes them to fit the current times. Comparing Wedding Customs Around the Globe The Japanese have a ceremony even before there is a wedding. It is a betrothal ceremony, called the yuino. During this ceremony the families of both the bride and groom exchange gifts with specific symbolic meanings. Some of the gifts may be a long white piece of hemp, which represents a wish that the new couple grow old and gray together, or konbu, a seaweed whose name means “child-bearing woman.” Tucked inside a special envelope, called a shugi-bukuro, will be a large gift of money, around $5,000 (Costa) The wedding itself can take place in a private setting, or in a wedding parlor (like an American venue that has a church and reception hall in one location). The use of wedding parlors has become increasingly popular in Japan since the mid-seventies, when Japanese society began a nostalgic search for the 'real Japan'. Weddings that are held in these parlors all tend to follow similar pattern (Goldstein-Gidoni, 2000). The day of the wedding will be incredibly busy for the bride, who may have up to three to four wardrobe changes from the beginning to end of the ceremony and reception. The bride will arrive at the parlor two and a half hours before the ceremony is to begin in order for her to be made into the traditional Japanese looking bride. She will be wearing heavy make-up, a wig and head covering, and an elaborate kimono. The groom shows up later, about an hour before the ceremony, to get dressed as

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