By J. DAVIS

American millennium celebrations highlighted the diverse cultural tradition of our nation, and our modern wedding celebrations.

Many marrying couples combine some modern ideas with some of their old–world traditional customs at their actual wedding ceremonies and in the celebrations that follow.

Chinese weddings often include the use of an astrological expert to confirm a good pairing as well as an auspicious wedding date. Also, anything involving the number eight is considered lucky since, in Chinese, the word sounds like the words for good luck. The wedding may take place in a church or a reception hall but, although the bride may wear a white gown at the ceremony, sometime during the family oriental banquet she will change into a red Cheong Sam or Chipao and then change again before leaving to start the honeymoon. Meanwhile back at the banquet, there will be the lucky eight courses with specific dishes known to symbolize happiness, long life and fertility.

Italian traditions at weddings combine various practices from the officiated mass to the elaborate receptions where the emphasis is on food and dancing. From pre-dinner antipasto (or hot and cold buffet) to the multi-course dinner that follows, the accent is on family members ranging from infants to octogenarians sharing the couples happiness. Mesh bags of pastel sugared almonds (signifying fertility) are still popular souvenirs for the guests as is the bride’s "la borsa" (satin bag) into which guests place envelopes containing money.

In ancient Korea, the bridegroom arrived at the bride’s house riding a white horse. In Queens today, he is more apt to be in a white limousine and the service is to be in one of the many local churches. However, the lighting of many candles and the sharing of rice and festive foods are still part of the celebration. And the bride may wear the ornate Han Bok, a traditional dress of special beauty.

Gowns of celebrations from Asian shops in Flushing. Photos by J. Davis

Jewish weddings, whether in the temple or a reception hall, have century old traditions and, for the Orthodox, start with a marriage contract (ketubbah) describing the rights and obligations of the bride and the groom. The wedding takes place under a wedding canopy (huppah). The bride and the groom are escorted down the aisle by their parents, The plain gold wedding band is placed on the bride’s right index finger. During the reading of seven wedding blessings the bride and groom sip wine. When the reading is done, the groom breaks the glass under his foot so the shattered glass reminds the participants of the fragility of life.

Hindu weddings for centuries have been family arranged. A wedding is one of the ritual practiced in the development of spiritual life and Vivaha (marriage) is the thirteenth sanskara. The bride is customarily dressed in a sari and bejeweled. The couple offers food to the gods to obtain their blessing. Afterwards, flower garlands and wedding rings are exchanged as symbols of the union.

Many traditional touches still highlight Irish American weddings in Queens. The claddagh ring (heart/hands/crown design symbolizing love, friendship and loyalty) is frequently chosen for a wedding set. On the festive occasions, brides often hire an Irish piper for the entrance into the church and use colors of green, white and gold to reflect the Irish heritage. Many brides still follow the old rhyme of "something old, something new, something blue and with an Irish penny in her shoe".

The Irish wedding feast was often celebrated in the bride’s home with a white iced fruit cake as the center piece.

But, always, the highpoint of the celebration is the many affectionate toasts such as:

"May joy and peace surround you,
Contentment latch your door,
And happiness be with you now
And bless you for evermore."