It is a must for guests to throw rice or paper confetti at the newlyweds as they exit the church. In Italy confetti represents good fortune and money and that is why the more that is thrown, the better it is for the couple.

It is very common for a pair of doves to be released into the air after a wedding, symbolising love and happiness. Nuts and grain are often thrown as are candy-covered almonds tied in mesh bags. This tradition is supposed to encourage conception.

On his wedding day a groom carried a piece of iron in his pocket, which was supposed to “ward off the evil eye” for fear that envy, and jealous feelings might destroy his happiness. Tearing a bride’s wedding veil was believed to be a sign of good luck. 

At the conclusion of many Italian weddings the newlyweds shattered a wine glass or vase. Afterwards the broken pieces were counted. This represented the anticipated number of years the couple was expected to be happily married.

No one goes home hungry after an Italian wedding reception

 A Viennese Table is often presented in Sicilian customs to usher in the dessert course, filled with mouth-watering treats. There is a special name for this- Vienna Hour. Interesting to note about the wedding cake is that in some areas of Italy no cake is served. Instead at each place setting guests are treated to decorative boxes or tulle bags filled with sugared almonds. This is thought to adequately portray the wedding or what’s also known as the “union of bitter and sweet.”

Spoken at every wedding after many glasses of wine are the words- “Evviva gli sposi”, which translated to English means “hurray for the newlyweds.” The words always bring about applause, enthusiasm and much excitement and can be heard uttered many times throughout the wedding reception.