Jamaican wedding traditions

[boscobel]

So I don't know about anyone else, but since I am getting married in Jamaica, I would love to incorporate some Jamaican traditions. On an episode of "Married Away" the other day, a couple was getting married in Jamaica and the WC mentioned a wedding tradition. The wedding cake is presented with a veil and the mothers of the bride and groom each lift the veil off as a symbol of unity between the two families. I don't love this particular tradition, although I think it is kinda neat.

 

Anyone know of any others?

[Heidi]

Carly, that is such a great idea!!! I don't know of any, but I"m off to research it!

 

Here's what I found so far:

 

-One Jamaican wedding tradition is a dark fruitcake liberally laced with rum is served at wedding receptions of Jamaican couples.

 

-Following the celebration, the wedding party slices the remainder of the wedding cake and mails them to friends and relatives unable to attend the wedding reception.

 

(ew, can you imagine how GROSS that cake would be back home?! )

 

- Like most Caribbean countries, the wedding cake is prominent in the celebration. It is a rich pound cake made of dried fruits (prunes, cherries, raisins, currants) soaked in rum, plus flour, butter, and a dozen eggs. Some guests may send ingredients as wedding presents beforehand. The bride parades through the streets to her wedding ceremony, and her appearance is commented upon -- even ridiculed! Her Maid of Honor is referred to as the "Chief". Since many weddings are village or community celebrations, no guest is refused and can enjoy a feast featuring curried goat, rice, and rum punch. Slices of cake are mailed to guests who cannot attend.

 

-The wedding style is similar to an American wedding. The bride and groom primarily handle the wedding arrangements. Everyone in the village lines the streets to see a bride. If she does not look her best she is publicly criticized. Her father or both parents escort her down the aisle. Her face is veiled until her husband lifts her veil. During the ceremony the couple will go to the church office or rectory to sign the wedding certificate. The bride may change her attire into a formal dress or during the reception.

 

-The bride's matron of honor is known as the Chief, the flower girl carries the train.

 

-Curried goat and rice is included on the menu of a traditional Jamaican wedding. The goat is killed and cooked prior to the wedding celebration day. Rum punch, including a red sweet fruit syrup, rum pimento and lime is traditionally served. (A very smooth drink but quite potent.) Champagne and wine and spirits are also served.

 

-The wedding cake, usually a dark cake, has been soaked for about a year so the fruits and bread will be flavored and moist.

 

-The wedding reception often lasts until the sun comes up. With Jamaican hospitality, no guest is refused, even if they come uninvited.

 

VERY Interesting....Jamaica weddings many years ago: Jamaica Gleaner : Pieces of the Past: Old-time Jamaican weddings

[meandpaul]

I saw on a bride's bio (cant remember who but she was married at Beaches Boscobel - the same as us) and she said a tradition is for the groom to put a piece of the cake "IN" his mouth and feed it to his bride...then vice versa. I am NOT doing this. It sounds absolutely gross.

[boscobel]

Oh my, I absolutely agree with that! I heard that before though, just didn't know it was Jamaican.

 

Heidi - great finds! I had found some of them, but nothing was striking me as a "need to do". Be publicly ridiculed? No thanks.

[Heidi]

Quote:

Originally Posted by carlymcmullen I had found some of them, but nothing was striking me as a "need to do". Be publicly ridiculed? No thanks.

What? Public ridicule doesn't suite you?!?!? Well, you'd only face that if you didnt' look your best! hehehe....


I agree though, nothing exciting there. I don't want rum cake, I don't eat goat and cake mailed back home? um no!

[boscobel]

Well let me know if anything intersting turns up and I will do the same. I would def love to incorporate something to honor the fact that we are committing to each other in Jamaica!

 

It's weird. It's starting to get more real and I haven't slept right for like a week! I thnk it's the ticker saying 6 month and xx days.

[meandpaul]

Same here....I suggested the idea of "jumping the broom" to my FI. That is an African tradition so it would work for us, but not sure that is the same as "incorporating Jamaican traditions".

[Jerzzygirl]

I actually had a small wedding reception Jamaican style. I have an uncle who is from Jamaica but his son and brother both still live in Jamaica. They arranged a street party wedding reception for us as a surprise. My uncle rented a bus and brought us all to his friends house in boscobel the day after our wedding. They had a goat and a pig roasting, bread fruit, over proof rum and rice. They set up music outside, blocked the street off with tables and they gave us a traditional jamaican style reception. It was very interesting and very sad at the same time. Sad because of how some people have to live but they make the best of it. I fell in love with some of the children and I actually want to find a way to mail gifts to these kids. Everyone in the neigborhood just showed up. They didnt know who we were, but they welcomed us with open arms. And when they told me how the groom gives the bride the cake I didnt want to do that and I said Ewww they insisted and it wasnt as bad as I thought.

[jmhein]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jerzzygirl I actually had a small wedding reception Jamaican style. I have an uncle who is from Jamaica but his son and brother both still live in Jamaica. They arranged a street party wedding reception for us as a surprise. My uncle rented a bus and brought us all to his friends house in boscobel the day after our wedding. They had a goat and a pig roasting, bread fruit, over proof rum and rice. They set up music outside, blocked the street off with tables and they gave us a traditional jamaican style reception. It was very interesting and very sad at the same time. Sad because of how some people have to live but they make the best of it. I fell in love with some of the children and I actually want to find a way to mail gifts to these kids. Everyone in the neigborhood just showed up. They didnt know who we were, but they welcomed us with open arms. And when they told me how the groom gives the bride the cake I didnt want to do that and I said Ewww they insisted and it wasnt as bad as I thought.

That sounds really, really wonderful! Sweet, touching... what a memorable experience for you guys!! I think it's always a must-do to get a real taste of the culture when you travel to another country. I bet you will remember that always as your "Real" taste of Jamaica!!

[RiuBride2b]

My FH's aunt is making rum punch (with the pimento seeds) for the wedding. It is a very good but very strong drink. She makes the best rum punch. I told her she had no choice but to make it for the wedding!!