[PM_Mama00]

Originally posted by AGDee
Traditions in my Italian family:

MUST have the Tarantella dance

My nonno made wine for each of his grandchildren's weddings the year we were born. We called it Dago Red and it is what was used for the toast for the bridal party and immediate family tables. We are all married now, and he passed in 1979, so the wine is gone now.

The old Italian guys who get up when the band is on break and sing Volare and other assorted Italian songs. There aren't too many of them left now, so this one will die out.

There is a party at the bride's parents' house after the ceremony and before the reception. This came about because your ceremony on a Saturday in a Catholic church has to end by 3 pm so they can start confessions and receptions usually don't start until 6 or 7 pm. People are all dressed up with no place to go, so they host a party at the parents' house for everybody.

The next day party. You must get together with all the family the next day (usually at the bride's parents' home) to open your gifts in front of everybody and face endless harassment about "the wedding night".

We did the arch for entering the reception too.

We had a dessert table (not a cookie table) with home made cannoli, pinolata (sp?) and pizelle and other various Italian goodies.

Dee

Are you sure we're not related? Lol!

And ours wasn't Volare, it was some song that my old next door neighbor used to sing... sounded like he was saying "Red pa-pop". Can't remember the name.

Can't forget the father-daughter song if your Italian. Forgot that tone too, but I love it. And Ti Amo.

I'm so proud to be Italian!