In Italy https://wbl.worldbank.org/, like in many other places, a couple may decide to include customs that represent their history or just add to the splendor of their marriage evening. From the throwing of wheat to the wedding serenading his bride the night before, italian ceremony traditions are a way for couples to make their ceremony even more memorable.
In many cultures the couple gives their guests a wedding favor to thank them for their presence. These are known as bomboniere in Italy and typically consist of a present, printed ribbons, and sugared almonds ( also known as confetti in Italian ). The number of almonds in the wedding favour- five or seven- is important as it symbolizes fertility, long life, health, riches and happiness.
Before the ceremony the bride has her hair done in an elegant updo and has a special headpiece called a toc ferro. This custom dates back to antiquity and is intended to ward off bad luck, including the possibility that her bride will change her italian brides mind!
Because it was once believed that a vein ran from the left finger to the heart, which represented love, the groom places his wedding ring on the left hand. The couple’s commitment to one another led to the wearing of the ring as a sign of faith.
As the ceremony draws to a close, guests greeted the newlyweds by distributing rice ( symbolizing fertility ) on them. Wheat is used in some regions in place of other types of confetti, but more and more municipalities are now urging residents to use alternative confetti that does n’t harm the environment.