More Ceremony Traditions
Each tradition here means something particular, and families do them differently. Use these only if a tradition is part of your ceremony, and ask the family member or officiant who knows it best.
11 products, each chosen by I Do with a note on why.
Prices marked ~ are estimates. Check the retailer for current prices and availability.
Lazo and arras2
Lazo (opens Amazon in a new tab)
Our pick: Gold-Plated Rosary Lazo in Gift Box
After the vows in a Latino Catholic wedding.
View on Amazon: Lazo (opens in a new tab)~$80 (approximate)
Why this?
Lazo
Our pick: Gold-Plated Rosary Lazo in Gift Box
After the vows in a Latino Catholic wedding, the padrinos de lazo drape this large looped rosary over the couple's shoulders in a figure eight, joining them for the rest of the ceremony. Traditionally the padrinos buy and gift the lazo, so ask them before ordering; the gift box makes it easy to hand over at the rehearsal.
~$80 · Prices marked ~ are estimates. Check the retailer for current prices and availability.
Some product links may earn I Do a commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. CERTAIN CONTENT THAT APPEARS ON THIS SITE COMES FROM AMAZON. THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED 'AS IS' AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR REMOVAL AT ANY TIME.
View on Amazon (opens in a new tab)Arras Coins (opens Amazon in a new tab)
Our pick: TINGKU Arras Wedding Coins, Set of 13
In Latino and Filipino Catholic weddings the priest blesses thirteen coins that are poured into the bride's h.
View on Amazon: Arras Coins (opens in a new tab)~$40 (approximate)
Why this?
Arras Coins
Our pick: TINGKU Arras Wedding Coins, Set of 13
In Latino and Filipino Catholic weddings the priest blesses thirteen coins that are poured into the bride's hands or exchanged as a promise to share everything in the home: twelve for the months and one to share. The padrinos de arras traditionally bring them, so ask first; keep the box after the ceremony as the coins are kept for life.
~$40 · Prices marked ~ are estimates. Check the retailer for current prices and availability.
Some product links may earn I Do a commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. CERTAIN CONTENT THAT APPEARS ON THIS SITE COMES FROM AMAZON. THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED 'AS IS' AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR REMOVAL AT ANY TIME.
View on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Filipino veil and cord2
Unity Veil and Cord (opens Amazon in a new tab)
Our pick: Wedding Unity Veil and Cord Set
In a Filipino Catholic ceremony, sponsors drape a veil over the couple and a cord in a figure of eight…
View on Amazon: Unity Veil and Cord (opens in a new tab)~$25 (approximate)
Why this?
Unity Veil and Cord
Our pick: Wedding Unity Veil and Cord Set
In a Filipino Catholic ceremony, sponsors drape a veil over the couple and a cord in a figure of eight around their shoulders, a sign of being clothed and bound together. Traditionally the sponsors bring them, so ask first.
~$25 · Prices marked ~ are estimates. Check the retailer for current prices and availability.
Some product links may earn I Do a commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. CERTAIN CONTENT THAT APPEARS ON THIS SITE COMES FROM AMAZON. THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED 'AS IS' AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR REMOVAL AT ANY TIME.
View on Amazon (opens in a new tab)Unity Candle Set (opens Amazon in a new tab)
Our pick: Irenare Unity Candle Set with Holder, 3 Candles
In a unity candle ceremony the two mothers light the tapers and the couple lights the pillar together after t.
View on Amazon: Unity Candle Set (opens in a new tab)~$35 (approximate)
Why this?
Unity Candle Set
Our pick: Irenare Unity Candle Set with Holder, 3 Candles
In a unity candle ceremony the two mothers light the tapers and the couple lights the pillar together after the vows; this set includes the stand, so it can actually stand on the altar table. Check the venue's open-flame policy first: outdoors the tapers blow out, which is why many couples switch to sand or a cord. In Filipino ceremonies lighting the candles is the candle sponsors' role.
~$35 · Prices marked ~ are estimates. Check the retailer for current prices and availability.
Some product links may earn I Do a commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. CERTAIN CONTENT THAT APPEARS ON THIS SITE COMES FROM AMAZON. THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED 'AS IS' AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR REMOVAL AT ANY TIME.
View on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Chinese tea ceremony2
Wedding Tea Set (opens Amazon in a new tab)
Our pick: Red Double Happiness Porcelain Tea Set, 7 Pieces
In a Chinese wedding tea ceremony the couple serves tea to parents.
View on Amazon: Wedding Tea Set (opens in a new tab)~$65 (approximate)
Why this?
Wedding Tea Set
Our pick: Red Double Happiness Porcelain Tea Set, 7 Pieces
In a Chinese wedding tea ceremony the couple serves tea to parents, grandparents and elders in order of seniority, addressing each by their new family title; the elders drink, then give red envelopes or jewelry. This red porcelain set with the double happiness character has the pot and six cups; add a red lacquer tray, and count your elders so you know whether six cups is enough for one round.
~$65 · Prices marked ~ are estimates. Check the retailer for current prices and availability.
Some product links may earn I Do a commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. CERTAIN CONTENT THAT APPEARS ON THIS SITE COMES FROM AMAZON. THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED 'AS IS' AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR REMOVAL AT ANY TIME.
View on Amazon (opens in a new tab)Wedding Red Envelopes (opens Amazon in a new tab)
Our pick: Double Happiness Wedding Red Envelopes, 20 Pack
Elders give red envelopes after drinking tea at a Chinese wedding tea ceremony.
View on Amazon: Wedding Red Envelopes (opens in a new tab)~$10 (approximate)
Why this?
Wedding Red Envelopes
Our pick: Double Happiness Wedding Red Envelopes, 20 Pack
Elders give red envelopes after drinking tea at a Chinese wedding tea ceremony, and the groom's party hands them out during the door games; wedding hongbao carry the double happiness character rather than New Year motifs. Families usually bring their own, so the couple's job is a spare stack of twenty for the door games.
~$10 · Prices marked ~ are estimates. Check the retailer for current prices and availability.
Some product links may earn I Do a commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. CERTAIN CONTENT THAT APPEARS ON THIS SITE COMES FROM AMAZON. THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED 'AS IS' AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR REMOVAL AT ANY TIME.
View on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Some product links may earn I Do a commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. CERTAIN CONTENT THAT APPEARS ON THIS SITE COMES FROM AMAZON. THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED 'AS IS' AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR REMOVAL AT ANY TIME.
Don't forget, nothing to buy
- The lazo, arras, veil and cord are traditionally gifted by the padrinos or sponsors; ask before you buy them yourself.
- Stefana, a san-san-kudo set, tea ceremony kneeling cushions and sofreh aghd pieces are best bought from a specialist or through the family, where the quality and the meaning are known.
- For a Hindu ceremony, the mandap is rented, the varmala comes from a florist and the pooja items follow the pandit's list. Ask them before buying anything.
- Hire a mehndi artist who mixes fresh natural henna; never buy anything sold as black henna.
- Korean wedding ducks and a pyebaek set-up come from Korean specialists and the Korean market, not a marketplace.
- For a knocking or traditional wedding, the list of items is agreed between the families and sourced in the community.
- A nikah needs consent, the wali, two witnesses, the agreed mahr and the contract; there is almost nothing to buy.
- An oathing stone is usually a found stone from a place that matters, and a bread and salt blessing needs only a good loaf from a bakery.
Jumping the broom1
Wedding Broom (opens Amazon in a new tab)
Our pick: Yungyan Decorated Jumping Broom, 25 Inch
Right after the pronouncement the couple jumps over a decorated broom together.
View on Amazon: Wedding Broom (opens in a new tab)~$30 (approximate)
Why this?
Wedding Broom
Our pick: Yungyan Decorated Jumping Broom, 25 Inch
Right after the pronouncement the couple jumps over a decorated broom together, a tradition widely practised at Black weddings since its 1970s revival, honouring ancestors who were denied legal marriage and marked their unions this way; Welsh and Romani weddings have parallels. The broom is kept in the home afterward, so choose one you want to see on the wall.
~$30 · Prices marked ~ are estimates. Check the retailer for current prices and availability.
Some product links may earn I Do a commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. CERTAIN CONTENT THAT APPEARS ON THIS SITE COMES FROM AMAZON. THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED 'AS IS' AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR REMOVAL AT ANY TIME.
View on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Scottish quaich2
Quaich (opens Amazon in a new tab)
Our pick: Wentworth Pewter Engraved Quaich, Small
In a Scottish wedding the quaich, a shallow two-handled pewter cup.
View on Amazon: Quaich (opens in a new tab)~$50 (approximate)
Why this?
Quaich
Our pick: Wentworth Pewter Engraved Quaich, Small
In a Scottish wedding the quaich, a shallow two-handled pewter cup, is filled with whisky and shared after the vows, each partner offering it with both hands as the cup of welcome and trust; often the whole family drinks from it next. Engrave it with your names and the date and bring it out again at anniversaries.
~$50 · Prices marked ~ are estimates. Check the retailer for current prices and availability.
Some product links may earn I Do a commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. CERTAIN CONTENT THAT APPEARS ON THIS SITE COMES FROM AMAZON. THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED 'AS IS' AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR REMOVAL AT ANY TIME.
View on Amazon (opens in a new tab)Handfasting Cord (opens Amazon in a new tab)
Our pick: ReliThick Braided Handfasting Cord
A braided cord tied around your joined hands, from the Celtic tradition and now common in many ceremonies.
View on Amazon: Handfasting Cord (opens in a new tab)~$20 (approximate)
Why this?
Handfasting Cord
Our pick: ReliThick Braided Handfasting Cord
A braided cord tied around your joined hands, from the Celtic tradition and now common in many ceremonies.
~$20 · Prices marked ~ are estimates. Check the retailer for current prices and availability.
Some product links may earn I Do a commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. CERTAIN CONTENT THAT APPEARS ON THIS SITE COMES FROM AMAZON. THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED 'AS IS' AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR REMOVAL AT ANY TIME.
View on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Greek and Italian koufeta1
Koufeta (opens Amazon in a new tab)
Our pick: Medicis White Jordan Almonds, 2.2 lb
At Greek and Italian weddings sugared almonds are given in an odd number, usually five.
View on Amazon: Koufeta (opens in a new tab)~$55 (approximate)
Why this?
Koufeta
Our pick: Medicis White Jordan Almonds, 2.2 lb
At Greek and Italian weddings sugared almonds are given in an odd number, usually five, at each place or at the door: for health, wealth, happiness, children and long life, with the bitter almond under the sweet coating standing for a marriage with more sweet than bitter. A 2.2 pound bag makes about 80 favors of five; add organza bags and check the date on the bag when it arrives.
~$55 · Prices marked ~ are estimates. Check the retailer for current prices and availability.
Some product links may earn I Do a commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. CERTAIN CONTENT THAT APPEARS ON THIS SITE COMES FROM AMAZON. THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED 'AS IS' AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR REMOVAL AT ANY TIME.
View on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Quaker-style certificate1
Archival Signing Pens (opens Amazon in a new tab)
Our pick: Sakura Pigma Micron 05 Black Pens, 6 Pack
At a Quaker wedding every person present signs the certificate as a witness.
View on Amazon: Archival Signing Pens (opens in a new tab)~$20 (approximate)
Why this?
Archival Signing Pens
Our pick: Sakura Pigma Micron 05 Black Pens, 6 Pack
At a Quaker wedding every person present signs the certificate as a witness, and couples of any tradition now commission a certificate as a guest book; it hangs in your home afterward, so the ink has to be archival rather than decorative. Six pens across the signing table keeps the line moving, and the calligrapher who makes the certificate can tell you which width suits the paper.
~$20 · Prices marked ~ are estimates. Check the retailer for current prices and availability.
Some product links may earn I Do a commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. CERTAIN CONTENT THAT APPEARS ON THIS SITE COMES FROM AMAZON. THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED 'AS IS' AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR REMOVAL AT ANY TIME.
View on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Keep browsing
Missing something?
Know a product that would help other couples? Let us know and we'll take a look.
Plan the rest in I Do
A checklist that tells you when you need each of these, plus your guest list, RSVPs, website and registry. Free to start.