SWEDISH

Toastmaster: In Swedish weddings, a close friend or family member keeps the toasts and speeches on track, while making sure they’re properly introduced!

Speeches & Dinner: A full dinner is served before dancing commences at Swedish weddings! This is where most of the speeches will be made as well.

Kissing the bride & groom: If the bride leaves the room at anytime, all of the single women are encouraged to kiss the groom on the cheek in her absence. Single men can kiss the bride when the groom steps away too.

JEWISH

The hora: The Hora is a celebratory circle dance done at any Jewish celebration. The bride and groom are lifted in chairs by their friends and family while holding a napkin to keep them together, so even amidst chaos they are connected.

Smashing of the glass: Historically, Jewish people were tentative to celebrate openly, so in times of joy there should also be a reminder of the destruction and loss the Jewish people have suffered. The breaking of the glass interpretation changed in recent years, to symbolize the covenant the couple has entered in marriage.