I live in a small city surrounded by farms and small villages full of traditions and customs, places where everyone knows everyone and everyone knows everything. I’m constantly amazed by how different these traditions are sometimes; one that’s been on my mind lately concerns weddings.
My grandma—who grew up on a small village in the middle of the hillside—talks about the tradition of village weddings, weddings where everyone in town is invited. Traditionally the family lets everyone know by putting a spot on the radio, papering the village with flyers, or by word of mouth. Sometimes people from neighboring villages might show up.
The reception is hosted in the town square. The couple’s families sacrifice a cow or some sheep to feed the entire town, they might provide beer for everyone, and of course they pay a live band to play the entire night.
If the event’s really big other people might even sell food or snacks around the city square, kind of like a fair. Sometimes the entire village might help and contribute to the party.
Everyone’s invited. / Image via Inicia.es (Direct link here)
If the event’s really big, other people might even sell food or snacks around the city square, kind of like a fair. Sometimes the entire village might help and contribute to the party.
I was impressed by this concept, but I reached amazement when I recently heard it is still done! Some people at the small farms or villages surrounding the city still do these kinds of parties; some are even partially sponsored by the local brewery. Some big events even draw people from out of town, depending on how good the band playing is.
An acquaintance is marrying a small-village guy, and the groom was adamant about putting out a radio spot to let everyone know about the party. With today’s technology there’s the chance of hundreds, maybe thousands, of people showing up to the party.
Wanting a small event, the idea of inviting the entire village to your wedding shocks me in ways I can’t describe; however, that’s what these people grew up with and are used to. I can totally envision a young bride dreaming about having the entire town dancing at her wedding, whether she knows them or not.
Would you like to have such a big wedding? Would you like having everyone there you know that day?
I loved our small wedding.
But… that sounds awesome! I doubt they’re expecting a sit-down plated meal and open bar with top shelf liquor and microbrews. Sounds like a killer party, what a great way to celebrate the start of a new family.
It’s a sense of community that a lot of us just aren’t exposed to anymore. I think it is an amazing tradition, but I still can’t imagine being a part of it!
I am an Encore Bride. I grew up in a medium sized town in Canada (pop aprox 10,000) but it had very much a “small town” feel to it. The townspeople being mainly farmers or labourers in the local mills.
When I was married the first time (Circa 1980) in my hometown after my University Graduation there were most certainly some village traditions that remained (and they are probably still practiced)
My hometown has a historic past, and a large sense of community where everyone knows everyone else. So many of the events leading up to the Wedding were seen as “part of the community” or “Church calendar”.
So for example, as a Bride, I had several Wedding Showers. There were the familiar ones ones where relatives from both families were invited… and there was one thrown by my GFs.
BUT there was also one held in the Church Hall that was organized by the Church Ladies… that was attended primarily by members of my Church Congregation, Neighbours and some others (including School Teachers, Coaches, and Girl Guide Leaders etc). This Shower wasn’t as “elaborate” perhaps as the others (no high end gifts at this one), but it stood out in my mind because it was sooo big (50 people probably) and the gifts so varied (and from the heart… and several were hand-made).
There were cookbooks, cooking utensils and tea-towels given. Things that were “common place” in the home. But there were also “niceities” given like tea-cups, doilies, and embroidered napkins (things that I equate with the Victorian heritage of my hometown). Lol, and for eats, of course fancy finger sandwiches were served along with punch and for dessert there were squares and tarts.
On the day I was married… there was a group of townspeople in their summer uniform of shorts & sandals, standing outside the Church on the sidewalk waiting for the Bride to arrive (catch a glimpse, take photos). And as my Father & I stood in the Narthex waiting for our cue to head down the aisle, I saw some familiar faces slip into the church, creep up the back stairs to stand quietly in the balcony and watch this hometown girl be wed (a respectable tradition where I am from, as long as you don’t cause a fuss)
As the Ceremony ended, they again were as quiet as church mice as they snuck out and were among the first to greet us Newlyweds with a downpour of confetti and energetic photo snapping.
Yup, there is something quite nice about growing up and marrying in a small town.
This is such a lovely concept for a small village, but in no way would I want this for myself, I would feel so ‘on display’! I’m sure I would feel much differently if I grew up this way though, because it sounds like a great time 
That is such an interesting tradition! I don’t think I would like having such a big wedding celebratory party. I’m more of an intimate-small gathering type of girl! But this does sound fun!
I love this tradition. To me, weddings are all about the bride and groom’s community, so if that literally is a community, I think it makes sense to include everyone.
That is so interesting, thanks for sharing it! Personally, I would love having the entire city come celebrate my wedding, haha!
I love this tradition, such unity/community. It’s really beautiful!
I have never heard of this before, but what a beautiful tradition! I love that the entire community comes together to celebrate the bride and groom!
I’m torn! I love how awesome it is that an entire community would come together to celebrate the marriage of two of its members but I also feel like it would be so unpersonalized.
Mrs. Toadstool, Obregon, Mexico Age and Occupation: 23, Research Assistant Fiance's Age and Occupation: 25, Sales Manager Engagement Date: October 1, 2011 Wedding Date: December 2012 Venue: Hacienda los Agaves About Me: I’m a born and bred Mexican girl with a severe coffee addiction, an obsession for books and an aversion for exercise. I like to plan things, so this wedding’s my dream project---I just need to remind myself from time to time that I’m the bride and not just the planner. I recently realized brown’s my favorite color as I was trying to incorporate it in every aspect of our wedding and I'm dreaming of an autumn vibe since we don’t have that around here. I’m marrying my best friend and partner in crime on the day of our nine-year anniversary! He’s an awesome, smart, fun guy who is patient, and crazy enough to spend the rest of his life with me. We’re planning our not-so-dreamy dream wedding in December in a non-traditional way and making it our own.
Latest Gallery Pics