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April and Italian Weddings
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GIOIA ITALIAN ART AND PRODUCTS
In Italian tradition, to ask for a woman's hand in marriage, a man (or in some cases, his brother or another male relative) went to speak to the woman's father. If her father gave his blessing and both families were fine with the arrangement, presents were then exchanged. This is now like anengagement party. It was customary for the prospective groom (the pretendente) to give his future bride a diamond ring before the engagement was announced. A diamond ring stems from the belief that a diamond was created by the flames of love. The reason the bride-to-be collected hope chest, (la dote) in Italy was because of the many wars fought there and the fear that all material items would be stolen by invading soldiers. If families could afford it, there was a dowry of monetary value and in some cases domestic goods such as dishes and silverware. A tradition in Northern Italy is for the groom to give the bride’s bouquet as his last gift to her in their courtship. I think this is a romantic tradition.
On their wedding day a beautiful bow adorns the doorway of the church or place they are to be married letting the townspeople know there is a wedding to be held there today The color of the gown would vary in different regions. Brides wore a green dress to symbolize fertility. The veil dates back to Ancient Rome where the bride was hidden from the groom in an arranged marriage until the wedding day. Of course now in Italy a white gown is most often worn. When the newly married exit the church, it is a custom to throw rice or paper confetti to represent good fortune and money and a pair of doves are released for love and happiness. I did not read this, but in our family it was also a tradition to give a bouquet of flowers to honor mother Mary and during the service the bride would place it at the foot of the statue of Mary next to the altar with a prayer said to help her to be a good wife and mother.
To kick off a wedding reception, the bridal party is kept apart from the rest of the guests for approximately an hour and guests are served cocktails during this time. In Italy women are treated to sweet liquors and men to stronger drinks. Often limoncello is served. (Take advantage of our upcoming class to learn how to make your own limoncello!) The guests then form a long line through which the bride and groom and wedding party are announced and cheered as they enter the reception. They immediately take to the floor for their first dance, followed by the traditional dances we still are accustomed to today. The bride dances with her father, groom with his mother. The traditional dance to begin the wedding reception is the Tarantella, the Spider Dance, and can get the entire place hopping. This is a traditional and medicinal dance for good health. Then the guests will take their seats with the toasts we still hear today. Champagne will be flowing and drinks are served to start the festivities and to toast the couple with “Per Cent’anni” which means “for 100 years.” Other popular toasts are “Evviva gli sposi” which means “Hurray for the newlyweds.”
Guests may be served up to 14 different courses and the cake or desserts served with espresso. Cake isn't served in many regions of Italy. Instead, other regional favorites, mille-foglia, an Italian cake made from layers of light filo pastry, chocolate and vanilla creams, and strawberries or zuppa inglese, tiers of pound cake filled with chocolate and vanilla custard, rum cream, and fruit, topped with sugar flowers or a candy dove, a symbol of lasting love. (Photo is of my brother Tony and his wife Christina)
guests a small gift known as a confetti Bomboniera. This tradition dates back to Roman times, and the bomboniera consists of five or seven (always an odd number for luck) sugar-coated almonds wrapped in tulle or netting with ribbons. This symbolizes family life, as well as health, happiness, prosperity, fertility, and a long life together. At the end of the wedding day, a couple breaks a vase or glass and the number of pieces is supposed to represent the number of years that they would be happily married. I have not seen this yet at any Italian weddings I have attended.
Limoncello Class with Valentina at Gioia
Festa Gioia April: CHANGE OF DATE!
Baking with Valentina at Gioia
Festa Gioia May Mother’s Day
GIOIA CELEBRATES TEN YEARS!
CAMPANIA
SORRENTO
